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FACTSHEETFOR FAMILIESJuly 2010“Special Needs”Adoption: WhatDoes It Mean?In adoption, the phrase “special needs” can apply to almost any childor youth adopted from foster care. The term is used in State lawsto indicate eligibility for Federal financial assistance, so it is a termthat adoptive families hear often. However, the term “special needs”is almost universally disliked by adoption professionals and youthin foster care because of its potential to be misunderstood and itsnegative connotations.What exactly does the term “special needs” mean in foster care andadoption? This factsheet presents some common questions aboutadopting a child or youth with special needs and provides resourcesthat will give you detailed answers.U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesAdministration for Children and FamiliesAdministration on Children, Youth and FamiliesChildren’s BureauWhat’s Inside: Definitions Eligibility Making the Decision Getting Started Financial and Health-CareAssistance Postadoption ServicesChild Welfare Information GatewayChildren’s Bureau/ACYF1250 Maryland Avenue, SWEighth FloorWashington, DC 20024800.394.3366Email: [email protected]
www.childwelfare.gov“Special Needs” Adoption: What Does It Mean?DefinitionsMany people think “special needs” are medical, physical, oremotional disabilities. But within the foster care and child welfaresystems, a child or youth with special needs has a factor orcondition (uniquely defined by each State) that may involve anyof the following: Ethnic or racial background Age Membership in a sibling group Medical, physical, or emotional disabilities Risk of physical, mental, or emotional disability based on birthfamily history Any condition that makes it more difficult to find an adoptivefamilyThese broader definitions of “special needs” may be used todetermine eligibility for Federal financial assistance for adoptionof children and youth from the U.S. foster care system. Whilethere’s no single Federal definition of special needs, accordingto title IV-E of the Social Security Act, a child or youth withspecial needs must also meet the following two requirements tobe eligible for Federal adoption assistance: The child or youth cannot or should not be returned home tohis or her parent(s). An unsuccessful attempt was made to place the child or youthwithout adoption (financial) assistance, except in cases wheresuch a placement would not have been in the best interests ofthe child or youth.What is my State’s definition of special needs for foster careadoption?Definitions for every State, the District of Columbia, and PuertoRico are listed here:www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/adopt assistance/questions.cfm?quest id 1This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child WelfareInformation Gateway. Available online at lneeds/2
“Special Needs” Adoption: What Does It Mean?www.childwelfare.govWhat does the term “special needs” mean in intercountryadoption?Agencies that place children and youth through intercountryadoption may use the term more commonly to refer to childrenwith physical or developmental disabilities, or other conditionsthat make it less likely that they will find a family easily. A child oryouth with special needs from another country does not qualifyfor Federal adoption assistance; a full explanation is in theChildren’s Bureau Child Welfare Policy Manual:www.acf.hhs.gov/cwpm/programs/cb/laws policies/laws/cwpm/policy dsp.jsp?citID 175More information is available nternationaladoption.htmlWho may adopt a child or youth with special needs?EligibilityThere is no specific legal requirement for families to be eligibleto adopt a child or youth with special needs. Families oftenmake the decision about parenting a child or youth with specialneeds with their adoption worker or agency, depending on theircapacity to parent a particular child or youth in whom they maybe interested. Here is a summary of State laws about who mayadopt, be adopted, and place a child for adoption:www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws policies/statutes/parties.cfmI have more questions about my eligibility to adopt.Answers about age, health, gender, background checks, sexualorientation, and more can be found .cfm aking theMDecisionHow can I know if I can meet the challenges of parenting achild or youth with special needs?Talking with other experienced adoptive parents is one of thebest ways to determine if adopting a child or youth from fostercare is the right decision for your family. You can find a foster/adoptive parent support group in your area in the NationalThis material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child WelfareInformation Gateway. Available online at lneeds/3
www.childwelfare.gov“Special Needs” Adoption: What Does It Mean?Foster Care and Adoption Directory:www.childwelfare.gov/nfcadAt least two States have produced self-assessment guides forprospective parents that can help you make informed r Parent KCKids Self AssessmentGuide2.pdfI have more questions about what adoption would involve forme and my family.There is a lot for families to think about and learn before makingthe decision to e adoption.cfmHere are some questions you can ask your agency or caseworker,as well as information about expectations and financial /documents/AdoptionTips.pdfWhat has life been like in the foster care system for childrenand youth with special needs?Many children and youth with special needs have been removedfrom their families because of abuse or neglect. Many also haveexperienced multiple moves in foster care. “A Child’s JourneyThrough the Child Welfare System” can give you some y.pdfMore information about common characteristics of children andyouth waiting for families, including children with special needs,can be found teristics.cfmHow can I find out about children and youth with specialneeds who need families?Photolisting services have pictures and descriptions of childrenand youth in State foster care systems who are available foradoption and waiting for families. AdoptUsKids is the onlyfederally funded, national photolisting service for children andyouth in foster care waiting for permanent xThis material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child WelfareInformation Gateway. Available online at lneeds/4
“Special Needs” Adoption: What Does It Mean?www.childwelfare.govThis webpage lists photolistings by State:www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl dsp website.cfm?typeID 82&rate chno AZ-0005EAdoption exchanges provide adoption information and oftenpromote the adoption of children and youth with special needs.They use print, radio, TV, and the Internet to recruit adoptivefamilies. This webpage has links to adoption exchange websitessponsored by State child welfare agencies:www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl dsp website.cfm?typeID 81&rate chno AZ-0003EGetting StartedTo adopt a child or youth with special needs in the UnitedStates, where do I start?This factsheet gives the basics of any adoption process andoffers resources for each step:www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f start.cfmHere’s a guide to the seven basic steps of the journey toadopting children or youth from the U.S. foster care StepJourney.aspxWhat about adopting a child or youth with special needsfrom a foreign country?The State Department website has information on all kinds ofintercountry adoption:http://adoption.state.govThe factsheet Intercountry Adoption: Where Do I Start? coversmany essential elements:www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f inter/index.cfm inancial andFHealth-CareAssistanceWhere can I find out about recurring or nonrecurringadoption assistance?Find information on Federal and State adoption assistance forchildren adopted from foster care:www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f subsid.cfmThis material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child WelfareInformation Gateway. Available online at lneeds/5
www.childwelfare.gov“Special Needs” Adoption: What Does It Mean?I have more questions about obtaining adoption assistancefrom my State.Find answers here to 13 State-specific topics:www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/adopt assistance/index.cfmThis site has State-by-State adoption assistance files.htmlHere are additional resources searchable by State:www.childwelfare.gov/nfcadAre there tax credits for adoption?Read the IRS explanation of qualified adoption ng the Federal Adoption Tax Credit for Special NeedsAdoptions” explains more:www.nacac.org/postadopt/taxcredit.html ostadoptionPServicesAre there services available to help my family after a child oryouth is placed with us?There are postadoption services that help with a range of issues:www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f postadoption.cfmI have more questions about postadoption issues andservices.Here are resources that include information on counseling,support groups, training, birth records, and more:www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/adopt parenting/Where can I learn more about parenting a child or youth withdisabilities or special needs?Here is a list of organizations that help children and youth withdisabilities and special needs and their families:www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl dsp.cfm?subjID 3&rate chno 11-11286This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child WelfareInformation Gateway. Available online at lneeds/6
adoption may use the term more commonly to refer to children . with physical or developmental disabilities, or other conditions . Photolisting services have pictures and descriptions of children . and youth in State foster care systems who are available for adoption
