Families for Black Children: The Search for Adoptive Parents. Number 2: Programs and Projects

摘要

Summary descriptions are given of 20 ongoing programs to increase the number of adoptive homes available for black children. Each summary covers the program's community involvement, active involvement of the public welfare department, interagency coordination and collaboration, and public information campaigns. The programs described are in Los Angeles, Calif., Chicago, Ill., Baltimore, Md., Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York City, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington State. Each description lists the program's sponsors, names of the coordinating agencies, the staff involved, a summary of the program's activities, a discussion of problems and obstacles encountered, and an evaluation of the activities which the program has found most helpful. Where available, funding information is given. The introduction, which is basically a summary chapter, notes that, regardless of other differences in approach, each program has concentrated on involving the community in the search for adoptive homes for black children. The involvement has taken many forms: meetings with black community leaders, media campaigns, meetings with both black and nonblack community organizations, and intensive educational campaigns. The major problems facing most programs are shortages of funds and staff. Several agencies report that their major problem is the long - term placement of black children in foster care as a substitute for the release of these children for adoption. A few footnotes are included.