Adoption & Permanency Guide Unveiled

Cathy Atkins, Adoption Unit, DCYF

Chris Doyle, Post Adoption Program, Casey

In October 2001 the New Hampshire Adoption Advisory Council was formed to be a voice for adoption in the state.  The committee consists of representatives from Casey Family Services, DCYF, Riverbend Mental Health Center, CASA, NH Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, NH Family Voices, Child and Family Services, NAMI NH, and adoptive parents.

Last year the committee identified the need for a resource guide for parents who have adopted or were considering adoption or other permanency options, as well as for professionals whose work touches on adoption and permanency. The Adoption Advisory Council was awarded a grant from Adopt US Kids and the Greater Nashua NH FAPA that enabled them to design and print the guide. The Advisory Council wanted to provide information on pre and post adoption resources that any NH parent might find useful.

An Incredible Journey – A NH Guide to Adoption and Permanency was released  in November 2006, National Adoption Month.  It is a comprehensive guide to the adoption process and will serve as a tool for foster parents, those considering adoption and those who have adopted.

Readers will understand the permanency options available in New Hampshire with Adoption offering the highest level of permanency.  Relatives and non-relatives may become legal guardians, still another option is another planned permanent living arrangement.  All of these are explored in detail in the Guide. 

A review of the adoption process is also included and the home study process is described.    Provisions of the revised  law, RSA 170-b  on Voluntary Mediated Adoption are featured for individuals who may consider an open adoption where the birth parents and the adoptive parents  are known to each other and  have cooperated in a voluntary process to accomplish the adoption of the child. 

Differences and similarities are explored among the types of adoption including public agency, private agency, international and independent adoption.  A chart is included to define the service, describe the children served, the costs of the adoption and how long it may take to finalize the adoption.

Pre adoption and post adoption services may include training and educational opportunities, community-based resources, financial assistance, parent support groups, childcare, behavioral and mental health issues and a myriad of other resource information and contacts. 

The Advisory Council believes that providing the information in An Incredible Journey will be a significant step forward in assisting families to make informed decisions regarding creating and maintaining permanency for children.

Since a limited number of copies could be printed, the entire guide is available on the FAPA website: nhfapa@comcast.net.  Additional copies may also be requested by calling Cathy Atkins at DCYF: 271-4707.