For pro-reformers: From the list below, which needs reform the most and why?

Question

*International Adoption

*Domestic Adoption (within in your own country- for this question USA residents adopting USA children)

--Open Adoption

--Partial Open Adoption

--Closed Adoption

*Step Family Adoption

*Foster Care System in the USA

Answer 1

I would say the foster care system.   There are too many tragic things that happen to children as a result of being in the system too long.   More effort needs to be put into rehabilitating the families so that reunification can take place.  And if it doesn't occur in a certain period of time, the child should be legally made free for adoption, so that they can have some stability in their lives.  It is wrong for children to be moved from foster home to foster home for years rather than being reunited with his birth family (first choice) or placed in a permanent home for adoption if that is not possible.

Answer 2

Hmmmm thats a toughy.  There are alot of people out here more informed than i am, but i'll give it a shot.

I guess I would pick domestic adoption.  I would like for it to become a part of foster care.  I really don't like the idea that women are being talked into giving their babies up and that fact that agencies are making a profit off of this.

This way the mother can try parenting.  If she feels like it is something she can not do then she can place the baby in foster care.  She can try to make it on her own for a while to see if adoption is really something she can live with.  You know like a trial run.  If she changes her mind and wants the baby back she can have him/her.  If she still chooses adoption the foster parents can adopt the baby.

That's my thought on the issue.  Again i'm not the most educated on the subject so i'm anxious to read what other people say.

Answer 3

I would personally like to set up some plan of action groups to tackle each on at the same time, together, yet individually as well. You know, like one group for international adoptions ( well you'd probably need a LARGE group for this and then smaller groups from within that one to take on each individual country )

then, the USA, then the OPEN ADOPTION, then partial, and closed, and step and foster care.....

wow, thats a lot. I think the all need work. Foster care and international adoption and domestic adoption the most.

Answer 4

Closed adoption.  There is no excuse for anyone, ever, to not know who they are or where they come from, period.

Answer 5

I think the US foster care system needs the most reform and support due to the number of children in the system and the amount of care/support needed to help them.  

That's if I had to prioritize.  

For international adoption, I would like to see the Hague Convention ratified.  I would also like to have some standardization in the US consulates for the documentation needed for a US visa.  Right now, there is a huge varience between different embassies as well as different US consulates within the same embassy.  Most of the paperwork needs to be prepped before the family travels and there are little things that aren't specifically in the adoption process that one consulate may require and another may not.  I'd just like to see a comprehensive: You Will Need This, list.  (Other parents who adopted internationally will understand!)  Finally, I would require all agencies that do international adoption be licensed and regulated in the United States.  This was a deal-breaker for me and I couldn't believe how many agencies were not licensed in the States.  

For domestic adoption, I think adoption "Faciliators" have got to go.  Licensed and regulated agencies, or not at all.  I think removing all "for profit" agencies would be a good idea also.

That's off the top of my head, at this point.