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California Post (After)-Adoption Information

Post (After)-Adoption Information
in California

Adoption is a life-long process that permanently changes the lives of those involved, especially adopted children and adults as well as birth/first and adoptive parents and families.  Adoption should never be ignored but rather embraced as part of a child’s story to be acknowledged and explored throughout the lifespan  The goals of post-adoption services are to strengthen and empower adopted children and their birth and adoptive families. Post adoption services include preventive, supportive, and therapeutic services and some CAAA adoption agencies offer specific post-placement services including

  • Preventive services - such as education and information that assist families in understanding their child and family situation and in learning the most effective strategies for parenting.
  • Supportive services - such as information and referral, support groups, camps, lending libraries, respite care, search & reunion and advocacy help to normalize their view of their situation, relieve ongoing stress, strengthen their coping abilities, and assist them in obtaining needed resources for their family.
  • Information/Educational services - Identity-based parenting support groups for LGBTQ+, BIPOC, single and transracial adoptive parents, newsletters and online resources, referrals,workshops and webinars.
  • Therapeutic services - when adoptive families need clinical interventions to address specific difficulties they need access to trauma-informed adoption educated therapists who can support their needs specific to the adoption experience.
  • School/Learning services - Adopted youth and adults have a higher incidence of learning differences and educational challenges than their non-adopted counterparts. These could require special interventions to promote learning and school success for youth.
  • Crisis interventions - Some adopted youth and adults whose needs have not been addressed adequately need emergency services to address their health and safety. This is not common but is something every parent should keep in mind and be prepared to address if needed.