From Foster Care to Adoption

Identifying System-Level Challenges for Children with Developmental Disabilities

The goal of this project was to promote system-level changes to increase the number of adoptions for children with developmental disabilities for whom reunification is not a viable option. A series of forums and a Working Conference were conducted in 2004. Family members, service providers, and other state and local representatives identified challenges in the adoption process and proposed solutions to the issues raised. The forums and working groups included foster and adoptive parents of children with developmental disabilities. Recommendations for system-level changes were compiled and findings were disseminated in 2005. This project was funded by the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities.