Adoption Dictionary
Networking: A process in which waiting families use a variety of ways to make expectant parents aware of their desire to adopt a child
Non-Identifying Information: Information that allows the members of the adoption triad to know about each other, but without identifying information. First names, physical descriptions, occupation, education, personality characteristics, hobbies, interests, religious affiliation, and medical information are examples of non-identifying information.
Older Child Adoption: The adoption of children in the United States who have been removed from their parents because of abuse or neglect and cannot return to those parents.
Open Adoption: An adoption plan in which identifying information about birth and adoptive families is openly shared, and there is ongoing and direct contact after placement
Post-Placement (or Post-Adoption) Counseling: Counseling offered for adoptive families and birthparents after a child is placed for adoption
Post-Placement (or Post-Adoption) Reports: Written reports submitted to the courts by the social worker after the child is placed with the adoptive family. The number of visits and reports varies from state to state.
Post-Placement (or Post-Adoption) Support Services: Any assistance provided to the adoptive family and birthparents after placement. It always includes visits in order to prepare post-placement reports. Other services are provided, as necessary.
Pre-Placement Counseling: Counseling provided to prepare expectant parents for the release of their child and to prepare adoptive couples for parenthood
Profile: Pictures and information that introduce a prospective adoptive family to expectant parents considering adoptive placement
Relinquishment of Parental Rights: See Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights below.
Semi-Open Adoption: An adoption plan in which there is planned communication through pictures, letters, phone calls, or e-mails, often spelled out in a written agreement that takes place between the adoptive parents and birthparents while the child is growing up. Communication is arranged and facilitated through a third party who is sensitive to the issues of both families.
Special Needs Adoption (referred to by Bethany as “Adoption of Children with Special Placement Needs”): The adoption of children who have physical or emotional challenges, who are older children, or who are members of a sibling group or a racial minority (as defined by the federal government), either domestically born or born in another country
Traditional Agency Adoption: An adoption where an agency counsels and brings together expectant parents, children, and adoptive parents
Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights (sometimes referred to as “Surrenders” or “Relinquishment”): The legal step necessary for parents to place their child with adoptive parents
Waiting Families (referred to by Bethany as “Families Waiting to Adopt”): Families waiting to adopt a child