Reform: Educate others

Educating others in an effort to reform adoption goes far beyond teaching proper lingo and keeping the media honest. Sharing our hard-earned wisdom also means reaching out to others who may just be finding themselves thinking of putting a toe over into the adoption world as, as always, forearmed is forewarned.

Participating in forums like the one here on Adoption.com where newbies are free to browse information, ask questions and solicit comments is a great way to work toward people starting out on the right foot with the right POV and a strong eye toward ethics as they begin their process.

Blogs, of course, are also a great way to become a resource for those seeking knowledge of adoption. There are hundreds around now looking at adoption from every angle imaginable, and linking to them from your own blog passes information effectively.

Blogging for your friends and family through your adoption process and beyond can create ripples of understanding that may spread more widely that you may first have understood when taking on the task of posting often with details and thoughts of adopting, so including links to your sources might be more helpful than you know.

When working with adoption professionals, it’s important to make no assumption that they know everything there is to know, and as you come across information during your quest to understand the major step you’re looking at in your life, pass along as much as you can. Offering information on where and how adoption workers can improve, and letting people know that you understand what is available to them, increases the odds that more will work within ethical boundaries.

What follows are some websites you might find helpful…

Here is a site where teachers can learn how to build classroom sensitivity to adoption.

Adoption University provides lectures and such designed to educate and inform young people and allow them to consider how adoption touches people’s lives.

This government site gives an overview of the basics of adoption and the responsibilities of adoption professionals.

The Joint Council on International Children’s Services has loads of information on ethical child welfare practices and professional standards.

The Center for Family Connections in Cambridge, Mass, offers training, education, consultation, advocacy, and clinical treatment. The training is for parents, agencies, schools, and professionals, including mental health workers, social workers, judges, and attorneys. The Center also designs specific training programs.

And from Spaudling for Children, there is technical assistance, consultation, and training for public and private agencies.

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