Many families considering adoption wonder about what life will be like if they adopt a child, and their capacity to care and provide for that child—particularly if she or he is older, has experienced neglect or trauma, or has special needs. In the February 2014 issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, "Will I Love Her?": Love and Attachment in Adoption, Dr. Daniel Nehrbass shares his personal thoughts and reflections about the capacity for and characteristics of parental love.

In the January 2014 issue of the Adoption Advocate, Megan Lindsey lays out NCFA's policy priorities for the coming year, and provides a review of recent and current adoption- and foster care-related legislation.

In the December 2013 issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, speech language pathologist Tatyana Elleseff provides an overview of how prenatal alcohol exposure affects children's social, communicative, and cognitive development. She explains how and by whom alcohol-related deficits are typically diagnosed, and the ways in which various professionals can help parents create a comprehensive plan for children with these diagnoses.

In the November 2013 issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, Lucas Daniel Boyce shares his story of being adopted out of foster care by his mother, Dorothy Boyce. Lucas, the author of Living Proof: From Foster Care to the White House and the NBA (2011) and the current Director of Business Development and Legislative Affairs for the Orlando Magic, relates his experiences as a transracial African-American adoptee and shares how adoption positively impacted and shaped his life.

The October 2013 issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate explores some of the ways in which email, texting, and the rise of social media has impacted adoption. Finding the right balance between online or phone contact and traditional face-to-face contact is essential for social workers and adoption service providers, who must also be aware of the potential practical and ethical risks involved in online communication with clients.

Many adopted children and children in foster care have experienced traumatic events which can impact their development and present challenges for both parents and educators. In the September 2013 issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, author Kathleen Benckendorf outlines information, methods, and strategies that can help teachers and school officials better understand and meet the needs of children with histories of trauma, abuse, or neglect. 

It is estimated that between 1% and 10% of adoptions result in dissolution. In the August issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, authors Jon Bergeron, Jr., Ph.D. and Robin Pennington highlight ways to help and support those involved in an adoption dissolution, beginning with the child. The article also includes recommendations for those working with relinquishing parents as well as re-adopting parents.

Children coming from situations of trauma, abuse, or neglect often experience the loss of their "voice" – their ability to voice their needs in a healthy way and trust that they will be met. Interventions for children from the "hard places" must include restoring voice, which in turn encourages trust, healing, and attachment. In the July 2013 issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross explore what the loss of voice means for children, and how appropriate interventions and therapies can allow them  to give voice to their needs and experience healing within a safe, nurturing family. The article includes a brief list of recommended skills and strategies for parents and caregivers.

Prospective adoptive parents are not the only ones who need to educate and prepare themselves prior to an adoption – any children already in the home must have the opportunity to learn more about what it might be like to add a child to the family through adoption. In the June 2013 issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, Laura Beauvais-Godwin addresses common questions adoptive parents have about these important discussions, providing general guidelines and suggestions for those considering adoption as a way of adding to their families.

In honor of National Foster Care Month, NCFA’s May issue of the Adoption Advocate by NCFA legal fellow Jamel Rowe, highlights the benefits of kin adoption and examines some of the common issues faced by relative caregivers in order to promote greater understanding of this increasingly common option for permanency.