In this September 2012 “back to school” issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, Educational Mentor and former foster youth Jetaine Hart provides insight into the many challenges to educational attainment that are faced by youth in foster care, shares information about her own work with students in Alameda County, and offers her expert recommendations on ways in which foster families, educators, mentors, and others involved in the lives of youth in care can support and help them achieve their educational goals. A 2009 Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Foster Youth Intern, Ms. Hart also recently contributed to NCFA's May 2012 Adoption Advocate, “Advocating for America's Youth in Foster Care: Perspectives and Recommendations from Former Foster Youth.”

The August 2012 issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate by Gary Gamer, child welfare expert and former CEO of Holt International Children's Services, focuses on what several recent studies have revealed about the harmful impact of institutionalization on young children, and highlights the importance of family-based care to avoid or counter many of these negative effects. Gary concludes: "Along with efforts to strengthen adoption and foster care programs, stronger support services must be provided to struggling families so that children can remain with their families in a safe and healthy environment. A care model centered on institutions is simply too risky a gamble for orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children."

Many Americans residing outside the U.S. that are interested in adopting, including women and men serving in the military, may find it more challenging to find both information about adoption and support throughout the process. The July 2012 issue of NCFA's Adoption Advocate, "Adoption Resources for Americans Living Abroad" by Melissa Blauvelt, provides guidance and suggestions for members of the U.S. military and other American citizens living abroad.

NCFA’s Adoption Advocate for the month of June, “Supporting Maltreated Children: Countering the Effects of Neglect and Abuse,” is excerpted from several articles by Dr. Bruce D. Perry, an internationally-recognized authority on children in crisis.

In honor of National Foster Care Month, the May issue of NCFA’s Adoption Advocate features interviews with six former foster youth. They share their perspectives on foster placements, courts, caseworkers, education, reunification, and adoption.

The April 2012 issue of NCFA’s Adoption Advocate shares the history of birth records and information sharing, current laws, and NCFA’s position on information sharing and reunion.

The March 2012 issue of NCFA’s Adoption Advocate explores the evolution of adoption counseling, the importance of adoption counseling, and suggestions for counselors.

The February 2012 issue of NCFA’s Adoption Advocate is a comprehensive analysis of intercountry adoption data since 1998, including rises and falls in adoptions and demographic data.

The January 2012 issue of NCFA’s Adoption Advocate outlines our policy priorities and adoption-related legislation, including the Adoption Tax Credit, National Putative Father Registry, and post-adoption services and support.

While recognizing that it can be uncomfortable for parents to discuss adoption with their children, in the December 2011 issue of NCFA’s Adoption Advocate, Nicole Callahan offers advice to help parents create an open, honest, and age appropriate dialogue with their children.  She emphasizes the importance of beginning this conversation early to help a child feel secure in their identity and facilitate further conversations.