The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids
Principal Investigator:
Ruth G. McRoy, Ph.D.
Duration: 10/2002 - 9/2007
As a part of the larger AdoptUsKids initiative, the objectives of the research component are:
1) to identify actual and potential barriers to the completion of the adoption process from the perspectives of current families seeking to adopt and families who have dropped out of the process, as well as agency personnel (Study 1); and 2) to assess factors that lead to favorable long-term outcomes for families who adopt children with special needs, from the viewpoints of adoptive families and agency staff (Study 2). To accomplish these objectives a variety of types of data will be collected and analyzed, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
For Study One, a nationwide, purposive sample of 300 families from public and private agencies who are seeking to adopt children with special needs from the public child welfare system will be followed from initial inquiry through placement. Interview and survey data will be collected and analyzed to assess reasons why families do or do not follow through with a placement. Agency staff will be surveyed to assess their opinions regarding barriers and suggestions for change. For Study Two, a 4-5 year prospective examination of a nationwide sample of 150 families who have adopted children with special needs will be conducted. The team will periodically interview the adoptive parents, and standardized measures will be administered. Again, agency staff will give input to identify the factors leading to adoption success. The results of all data analysis will be contextualized within a comprehensive framework of knowledge regarding research in the area of special needs adoption and literature on practice, policy, and legal issues. See www.adoptuskids.org for more information on this study that is funded by the Children's Bureau of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Sponsor:
Children's Bureau of the US Department of Health and Human Services
Keywords: child welfare, families, children, youth
