October 12, 2018 – Judge Deems Indian Child Welfare Act Unconstitutional

In 2013, an adoption battle in Oklahoma went public after a man who was a Cherokee Indian used the Indian Welfare Act to fight the adoption of his daughter to another family, despite having signed away his parental rights. The US Supreme Court ultimately allowed the baby to remain with the adoptive family who she had been with for 2 years. Now, a federal judge in Texas has ruled that the Indian Child Welfare Act is unconstitutional because it violates the 5th Amendment’s equal protection guarantee.  

September 21, 2018 – Philadelphia Bakery Gives Donation To Adoptions From The Heart

A new bakery called Nothing Bundt Cakes opened on July 1 in Wynnewood, PA. In celebration of the opening of the new store, the owners Will and Kim Wright made a donation to Adoptions From The Heart’s Birth Parent Scholarship Fund. The owners said that it is “really important to support your neighbors” and they certainly are neighbors in the same part of town as AFTH. Maxine Chalker, founder of AFTH, and Heidi Gonzalez, associate director accepted the donation of $430 on July 25.   

August 29, 2018 – Catholic Adoption Charity Closes Rather Than Allowing Same-Sex Couple To Adopt

On Thursday, August 23, the Catholic Charity of Buffalo in New York decided to end their adoptive services and fostering program instead of granting a license to foster or adopt to a same-sex couple. New York laws will not allow contracting organizations to discriminate against LGBTQ couples and the charity stated that the law goes against the Roman Catholic Church’s beliefs regarding marriage.

July 31, 2018 – New Adoption Laws Go Into Effect In Louisiana In August

Beginning on Wednesday, August 1, the state of Louisiana will have 430 new laws take effect. There is a wide array of topics these laws cover but some are regarding adoption. One such law that will go into effect is that all public school teachers and some other school employees will be given paid leave of absence after adopting a child for up to 30 days.

June 30, 2018 – Concern Rises Over Whether Separated Immigrant Children Could Be Put Up For Adoption

Since more than 2,300 immigrant children were separated from their parents and relatives as a result of the zero-tolerance border policy in May, many Americans have been wondering if some of the separated children will be adopted by American families. While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has said that all children will be reunited with their families, the reality is that this could be a long and complicated process. There may be some scenarios where adoption could be a possibility but agencies are working hard to try to make sure that each child is reunited and has the best possible outcome from this horrendous situation.

May 14, 2018 – Controversial Oklahoma Adoption Bill Signed Into Law

On May 11, Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma signed Senate Bill 1140 into law. The new law has been a hotly debated topic in the state of Oklahoma especially among LGBT advocates who claim that the law is discriminatory. The law will allow faith-based organizations to refuse to place children into situations that “violate the written moral or religious convictions or policies.” This is a concern for many LGBT couples who could be denied a child placement from such organizations.  

April 27, 2018 – Nebraska Family Shares Successful Story Of Open Adoption

Many people are unaware of how an open adoption works so one Nebraska family shared their success story so perhaps more people will consider it as an option for them. The family discussed how they were initially very hesitant to go into an open adoption but are happy that they did because it has improved their lives and the lives of their children. They stressed that every adoption is different and conflict can arise but communication is key. The whole point is to heal families not continue a cycle of broken families. They are very happy they made the choice they did to go through with an open adoption for their children.

March 29, 2018 – Virginia Basketball Coach Leaves Job To Adopt Her Daughter

The head coach of the University of Virginia women’s basketball team has been extremely successful in her career of 25 years, so when she announced her retirement due to a family matter, people were very surprised. She explained to her team later that she needed to go back to Senegal to finalize her 6-year-old daughter’s adoption. She would have to stay there for an undetermined amount of time. She stated that she would do what she needed to do so she was stepping down from her job.

February 28, 2018 – Adoption Bill Passes In Kentucky House And Heads To The Senate

There have been months of bipartisan work and studies that went into crafting House Bill 1 which intends to revitalize the state’s child welfare system, making changes to help children and families in Kentucky. The bill would make several changes to the foster care placement and adoption processes including reducing the amount of paperwork for social workers and adoptive parents so the focus can be on the children. The bill passed in the House and now heads to the Senate.

January 29, 2018 – 2017 Adoptions In Nebraska Reach Near-Record High Numbers

On Thursday, January 25, DHHS announced that the state of Nebraska’s adoptions for the year 2017, was at a near-record high. In the year 2017, there was a total of 538 adoptions which was surpassed in number only in the year 2008 with 572 adoptions. 150 of those finalized adoptions last year occurred on November 18, National Adoption Day. There are several reasons for the increase in adoptions over the past year but one may be that the efficiency of the adoption process is improving.

December 27, 2017 – Adoption Day In South Carolina In Time For Christmas

December 20th, in South Carolina, is considered by many judges as Adoption Day. Many family court judges set aside this day, the last work day before their Christmas holiday, to do only adoptions. They consider it a gift to themselves and to the new families, as it is such a pleasure to see such happiness in the courtroom. In Anderson County, South Carolina, about a dozen adoptions were finalized and across the state, there were 48 finalized. While judges hold hearings for the families, asking questions about the children, it is a happy occasion with only tears of joy.

November 28, 2017 – New Adoption Law Goes Into Effect In Pennsylvania

On Friday, November 3, a new law went into effect for adoptees in Pennsylvania. The law will allow people who were adopted as children, who are at least 18 and have finished high school, the ability to apply for a copy of their birth certificate. Many adoptees have previously expressed interest in obtaining their birth certificates and would have to petition the courts for it so that they could learn more about their medical and family history. Parents who do not want to be found can redact their names from the birth certificates.

October 13, 2017 – Jordan Fisher Of DWTS’ Opens Up About His Adoption Story

As part of the ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Most Memorable Year Week, Jordan Fisher explained to PEOPLE that he was adopted by his maternal grandmother and step-grandfather when his biological mother was not “fit to raise a kid.” He explained that after 14 years in the industry this is the first time that he is speaking about his adoption story and he is pleased to have the platform and voice that he has. He also explained that he has never been ashamed of or tried to hide his adoption story. He knows that he was extremely fortunate to have his parents who are selfless and caring people giving unconditional love and support.

September 27, 2017- Baby Put Up For Adoption By Daycare Worker

A 30-year-old daycare worker from Missouri is being accused of taking a baby to Arkansas in order to arrange for the baby’s adoption. The daycare worker allegedly did not have consent from the baby girl’s parents. She is being charged with attempted kidnapping. The ill-fated adoption plot turned sour when the would-be adoptive parents became suspicious of where the baby was coming from and reached out to the baby’s birth parents. The birth parents confirmed that they had not put the baby up for adoption. Read more about this adoption kidnapping plot here.

August 17, 2017- Black Children Harder To Place For Adoption But Less Expensive

As the tensions around race have recently escalated in the country, another issue has resurfaced around black children and adoption. A news article highlighted the plight of adopting black children in the American adoption system. Black children are less expensive to adopt and their cost is stated to be directly correlated to desirability, supply, and demand. It is estimated that there are 430,000 children in foster care and a quarter of those children are black. The cost of adopting these children is commonly adjusted as an incentive for families. Read more about the costs and debates around adopting black children here.

July 19, 2017- Pennsylvania Parents Share Adoption News With Foster Kids At Disney World

A couple from Pennsylvania finally got the exact date they could adopt their foster children. The couple decided to share the news with the children on a trip to Disney World. They had fostered the two siblings for three years. They planned a trip to Orlando in April so that the children could attend the Star Wars Convention and go to Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Just before leaving for their trip the couple was told that they finally have an exact adoption date for their two foster kids. Mickey Mouse helped reveal the wonderful news to the children.

June 20, 2017- Dad Enjoys First Father’s Day After Adopting

Following a two-year wait to adopt, a dad from Raleigh celebrated his first Father’s Day as a dad. With the help of their local group connecting families in North Carolina, the dad and his wife were able to finally adopt their son. The new father wanted to adopt as well because he himself was adopted, but both and he his wife were not prepared for how long the process ended up taking.  However, the couple has stated how grateful they are for the help they received from their family, friends and adoption agency.

May 26, 2017- Organization Uses A Web Platform To Connect Adoptees and Adoptive Parents

An organization has been announced by the Humanitarian Social Innovations of Bethlehem called Overcoming Odds. The organization’s main aim is to make the adoption adjustment easier for both parents and child. Using a software program and web platform, the organization will connect adoptees and adoptive parents with others like them, including cultural and professional resources. Another major important part of this platform is that it will collect and archive people’s stories of adoption in order to make a lasting impact on adoption.

April 20, 2017- Couple Hopes To Adopt Special Needs Children From Chinese Orphanage

A couple is excited to be bringing home two special needs children they are adopting from the same Chinese orphanage. The couple states that they looked through hundreds of photos of orphaned children before they laid eyes on a 7-year-old Chinese girl with Down syndrome as well as a 3-year-old boy with Down syndrome as well.  They are gearing up to travel to the orphanage where the children currently live in China. The couple already has two children, a 13-year-old and 7-year-old but they both wanted to adopt children someday. The wife always gravitated toward children with special needs as she studied education with a focus on special education. She wants to be able to provide better opportunities for children with special needs. Read more about their journey here.

March 16, 2017- Social Media Being Used To Make Adoptions Easier, Quicker, And Affordable

In Greenville, SC adoptions are now available using social media. The purpose of using social media for families looking to adopt is to make adoptions easier, quicker, and affordable. Using social media is believed to connect adoptive parents with expectant moms much quicker. However, before working with an agency, adoptive parents have to complete a home study before proceeding with the adoption process and expectant mothers should also be working with an agency.

February 3, 2017- There’s App For That: New App Connects Children With Adoptive Parents

A pilot program called Family-Match.org has been launched in Virginia that will help put children in families looking to adopt. The founder of the program stated that she sees state adoption systems as ponderous and tend to result in failed placements. She believes that technology is the solution to solving this problem just like it is for people trying to find love on sites like eHarmony or Match.com. Read more about how the app came together here.

December 22, 2016- Adoption Photo Goes Viral

A three-year-old boy’s adoption photo went viral after he had just been adopted. The three-year-old had been in foster care for 832 days. The family he was adopted into was his third foster family. Read more about this Christmas adoption story here.

November 30, 2016- Allentown Child Advocates Highlight Older Kids Adoptions

A ceremony recently held in Allentown celebrating National Adoption Month highlighted the need for adoptive families to consider adopting older children. The Lehigh County Officer of Children and Youth Services stated that they would like to see the youth awaiting adoption, remaining in the Lehigh Valley so that they can stay close to their schools and friends. In Lehigh and Northampton counties, there is a total of 34 families waiting to adopt foster children.

October 28, 2016- Pennsylvania Courts Increase Kinship Arrangements

An Allentown school bus driver adopted her grandchildren when her daughter could not take care of them. Her adoption story is what is called kinship arrangements which are growing in number since they have been formalized by Pennsylvania’s courts. Kinship care is the practice where family members take in a relatives’ child or children when their parents are not able to take care of them. Pennsylvania courts are making a push for child welfare agencies to make finding relatives a priority.

September 8th, 2016 – PA Court Will Not Allow Grandfather And Mother To Adopt Jointly

A woman and her father have attempted to jointly adopt her biological children in an attempt to terminate the absentees father’s partental rights. For more information on this check out Courthouose News.