Parenting an Adopted Teen, Part I
In many ways, parenting an adopted teenager is no different than parenting a biological teen. There are also some key differences, though. In this post, we look at two elements of parenting adopted teens: brain development and identity.
Why We Focus on Youth Voices
While we focus on celebrating adoption during National Adoption Month, it’s also important to hear what young people in foster care are saying about what they need in a family, what they want, what’s most important to them. Encouraging youth to have a voice in their permanency planning is empowering and keeps the focus where it should be: on what is in the child’s best interests.
Adopting A New Perspective
Ann and Rhande had decades of expertise in child welfare, but that didn’t mean they had all the answers when they became foster and adoptive moms. Through their lived experience adopting two daughters, Ann and Rhande learned things they thought they already knew, which was critical to their parenting success.
What Are Care Communities?
Care communities are groups of 6-8 volunteers from local churches who come alongside foster and adoptive families to provide practical, emotional and spiritual support. Each team “wraps around” the family to provide them the support that they need. For some, this may be homework help or running errands. For others, it could be mentoring a foster child or spending time listening to an overwhelmed parent.
What is an Adoption Champion?
From community events to parades, educational meetings to social media posts, Adoption Champions utilize every opportunity to find forever families for the children and youth in Indiana Adoption Program. They’re the perfect people to talk to as you begin your adoption journey!
Finding the Positive
The impact of the recent physical distancing on our economic, infrastructural and psychological stability will be felt for years to come. It can be hard to look for the positives in this situation — but we found two families willing to share how they created opportunities for good.
Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities, Pt. 2
Donna and Jason Kempf’s adoption journey didn’t end after they adopted two children with special needs. Their daughter Eva-Grace, adopted in November 2019, is medically fragile, and requires a special diet, custom medical equipment, and vigilant monitoring. Read on to learn more about this phenomenal child and her parents.
Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities, Pt. 1
Donna and Jason Kempf have spent years turn obstacles into opportunities for their 3 adopted children, each of whom has special needs. Read Part 1 of their adoption journey, which began in Russia and then took them right here to Indiana.
For the Love of Libraries
Did you know that February is National Library Lover’s Month? We didn’t either – but now that it’s been brought to our attention, we are incredibly excited about it! Libraries provide a critical resource for communities – and they’re not just for checking out books or...
You’ve Finalized Your Adoption. Now What?
Many adoptive families aren’t aware that there are resources available to them after their adoption is finalized. Post-adoption services can provide critical support during a time of adjustment and transition for the family and the adopted child.