Do Your Homework!
Adopting a teen from the child welfare system is a huge (and rewarding!) journey. As you think and talk about this next stage of family life, you may want to explore resources that will answer questions and help you prepare.
Books:
- To the End of June, Beam (2013)
- Reclaiming Youth at Risk, Brendtro, et al (1990)
- Love Me, Feed Me, Rowell (2012)
- Connecting with Kids through Stories, Lacher, et al (2005)
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, MacIntosh
- Why do they act that way?, Walsh (2004)
- Born for Love, Szalavitz & Perry (2010)
- On Their Own, Shirk & Strangler (2004)
- Parenting Adopted Adolescent, Keck
- Three Little Words, Rhodes-Courter (2008)
- Orphans of the Living, Toth (1997)
- Ellen Foster, Gibbons (1987)
- Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control, Forbes & Post (2009)
Information regarding Adoption in Minnesota:
- MN DHS Adoption Information Sheet 10.2015
- MNAdopt
- North American Council on Adoptable Children
- Minnesota Department of Human Services, Northstar Care for Children Overview
- Minnesota Statutes Sections 260C.601 to260C.635 (adoption statutes)
- Minnesota Administrative Rules 9560 (covering adoption and foster care)
- Current Adoption Tax Credit Information
- Adoption Support Groups around Minnesota
- MNADOPT Resource Lists
Websites:
- Donaldson Adoption Institute
- Advocates for Families First
- Voice for Adoption
- Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Child Trauma Academy
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
- University of Minnesota Extension- Family and Youth Development
- Disability Child Welfare Collaborative
- PACER Center
- Stop it Now!
- Reclaiming Youth at Risk, Starr Commonwealth
- VStreet (teen self sufficiency resources)
- Netsmartz (online safety education for parents and youth)
- Harlow’s Monkey (“an unapologetic look at transracial and transnational adoption”)
- To Write Love on Her Arms (hope and help- self injury and depression)
- Foster Care Alumni of America
- Partnership for a drug-free America (parent resources)
