Adoption is the beginning of a lifelong journey.
That’s why post-adoption support is essential to helping families thrive. Explore the resources available to your family below.
According to NCFA’s 2024 report, Profiles in Adoption: Adult Adoptee Experiences, a majority of adoptees desired post-adoption support services, but they were unable to access them.
As adoptive parents, it is critical to listen to and meet the needs of your adopted child(ren). Keep scrolling to learn about eligibility for post-adoption services in your state.
Source: National Council For Adoption, 2024, Profiles in Adoption
Where to Begin & Eligibility
Understand your family’s options for support. Learn how to access services, determine eligibility, and confidently advocate for your child using these tools and resources.
LEARN
Learn how to advocate for your child and ensure they receive the services and support they need.
VERIFY
Verify eligibility for services with info from the National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support.
Understanding Your Family’s Needs: The Importance of Lifelong Learning
Ongoing learning is essential to understanding and meeting the post-adoption support needs of adoptees and their families. View broad categories for learning on the cards below, then flip each card over for more specific topics that you may want to learn about. Use the search bar above to dive deeper into these topics and more.
Child-Specific Needs
- Medical special needs
- Sensory integration
- Mental health conditions
Trauma & Attachment
- Trauma-informed parenting
- The seven core issues of adoption
- Adoption & identity
Birth Family Relationships
- Post-adoption contact
- Search & reunion
- Heritage travel
Post-Adoption Services & Support
There are a number of areas where families may need or seek post-adoption support.
Scroll down to learn more about supports for each topic.
Mental Health Support
Adoptees experience unique forms of trauma, separation, grief and loss related to their adoption story. As a result, they may need help processing this or other mental health concerns with a trusted professional. Learn more about therapeutic options for your child below.
Adoption and Mental Health: Understanding the Needs of Children and Youth
Gain knowledge and strategies to support the unique mental health needs of adopted children.
Beneath the Mask: Adoption Through the Eyes of Adolescents
Learn about the “Six Stuck Spots” which are common among adoptees in adolescence.
Exploring Medication for Adopted Children: Mental Health and Behavioral Treatment Options
Understand more about your child’s behavior, medication considerations, and building a therapeutic team.
I Spy Helpful Help: How to Find an Adoption-Competent Therapist
Discover strategies for finding the right adoption-competent therapist and learn why specialized care matters.
Adoption Therapist Directory | C.A.S.E.
Locate trusted adoption-competent therapists in your state, using this nationwide directory.
Virtual Support Groups for Specific Populations
Support groups are a way to access meaningful support and build connections with others on a similar journey.
Physical & Developmental Support
Every adopted child brings a unique history that may impact their overall development and wellbeing, and many adoptees also have disabilities or other special needs to consider. To take the next step in finding services to support your family, search for your state using the tools below. Many states have information, referral programs, or case management services that can directly refer you to service providers in your area.
Educational Support
School can bring about unique challenges for adoptees. Learn how you can support your child as they navigate school through the years.
Free Resource Page: School Support and Resources for Adoptees
Explore a robust collection of tools, training, and guidance to help support adoptees in school and promote inclusive, trauma-informed learning environments.
Education
Learn more about IEPs, 504 plans, and how you can advocate for your child in partnership with their school in this interactive course.
Supporting Birth Family Connections, Culture, and Identity
Adoptees carry lasting connections to their birth family, culture, and identity. Access to mental health services and ongoing education can help families navigate challenges related to birth families, support identity development, and respond to your child’s evolving needs. Learn more below about the importance of birth family connections, how to create opportunities for cultural engagement, and how to support your child in maintaining relationships with their birth family.
Support for Parents
While ensuring your child’s needs are met after adoption is essential, it is equally important to recognize that you, as an adoptive parent, may also face unexpected challenges. You deserve guidance, support, and reassurance along the way.
Professionals Supporting Adoptive Families
Looking to strengthen your agency’s post-adoption support?
While the resources above are ideal for sharing directly with families, the tools and insights below are designed to help professionals enhance agency services to better strengthen and preserve adoptive placements.