What Else Should I Know?
The best thing you can do while you wait for your placement is to prepare thoroughly for life as a parent – and, in particular, an adoptive parent. Here are a few links to parenting information and supplies to get you started…
Links to Information
The Child Development Institute provides information on child development, parenting, family life, teenagers, learning, health & safety, child psychology and mental health, and has been recommended by Psychology Today and the American Psychological Association.
Baby Center centralizes information on caring for your baby or child, their development and behavior, and health and safety. They also offer both expert and community answers to questions you – or others – may pose.
The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) offers information sharing and adoption support, with a particular emphasis on children who have been in foster care, as well as those with special needs.
The Adoptive Parents Committee (APC) is a non-profit parent support group dedicated to improving all aspects of adoption and foster care.
The Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York (AFFCNY) formerly known as the New York State Citizen's Coalition for Children (NYCCC) is an advocacy organization of volunteer adoptive and foster parent groups in every region of New York State, and offers a variety of resources for adopting parents.
The Top 10 Secrets of Successful Adoption Travel, Adoptive Families.com
Adoptive Families magazine offers a lot of information on both Domestic and International Adoptions, including a particularly good article by Eliza Newlin Carney: Perception & Reality: The Untold Story of Domestic Adoption.
The Infertility & Adoption Counseling Center (IACC) offers workshops and materials that help adoptive parents, birth parents and adoptees understand the lifelong themes and implications of decisions made during the adoption process.
Center Families - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning resource center providing programming, information, and events to the LGBTQ community.
Adoptive Families of the Capital Region, Inc. The Adoptive Families of the Capital Region, Inc. (AFCR) is an adoption support group for adoptive families and individuals hoping to build their family by adoption.
Links to Supplies
Tapestry Books and Perspectives Press are the premiere online stores specializing in books, CD’s and DVD’s about adoption and adoptive parenting.
Amazon and Barnes and Noble both offer extensive collections of books, CD’s and DVD’s about adoption and parenting.
Links to Books Recommended by FFTA
The Adoption Resource Book – All the things you need to know and ought to know about creating an adoptive family, by Lois Gilman
Adopting in America – How to Adopt Within One Year, by Randall B. Hicks (Paperback - Mar 2004)
Successful Adoption, by Jacqueline Hornor Plumez
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Adoption, by Chris Adamec
"Arwen and her Daddies" by Dutch author and adoptive father Jarko De Witte van Leeuwen. Copies can exclusively be purchased through www.feel-good-families.com
In Their Parents' Voices: Reflections on Raising Transracial Adoptees, by Rita J. Simon, Rhonda M. Roorda
In Their Own Voices: Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories, by Rita J. Simon, Rhonda M. Roorda
Inside Transracial Adoption, by Gail Steinberg, Beth Hall
Communicating with the Adopted Child, by Miriam Komar, D.S.W.
Dear Birthmother: Thank You for Our Baby, by Kathleen Silber, Phylis Speedlin
Raising Your Child to Be A Mensch, by Neil Kurshan
Raising Adopted Children, Revised Edition:
Practical Reassuring Advice for Every Adoptive Parent, by Lois Ruskai Melina
Keys to Parenting an Adopted Child (Barron's Parenting Keys), by Kathy Lancaster Ph.D.
I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla: Raising Healthy Black and Biracial Children in a Race-Conscious World, by Marguerite Wright
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew, by Sherrie Eldridge
Links to Other Resources
Adoption Education Classes.com and adoption doctors.com offer online video courses designed to educate and empower prospective adoptive parents with the education they need to have a successful adoption process. Adoption Learning Partners also offer on-line courses that can be taken to fulfill the New York State and Hague-mandated adoption family training requirement.
Little Hearts CPR offers a video called Bonding Through Touch: Infant Massage for Adoptive Families, which teaches parents of adopted infants and children a valuable skill to enhance the bonding process.
My Adoption Advisor provides families with practical tactics and tools to better understand the adoption process, anticipate bumps in the road, and adopt more quickly. They offer an assortment of Internet-based, on-demand training programs, as well as services to help families with their adoption profile and networking and advertising efforts. Please visit their website for a full list of products and services.
Gays With Kids - Helping gay dads navigate fatherhood™
Respectful adoption language
Positive Adoption Language OURS Magazine
Positive Adoption Language (PAL) vs. Honest Adoption Language (HAL), Wikipedia
Adoption Terminology/Glossary, Adoption.com
Parenting Education And Training
Live Parent Training Classes approved by FFTA
Adoption Learning Partners (PDF) Website
Hearts of the Matter (PDF)
Please note, we encourage ongoing training throughout the adoption journey, however, if you are seeking parent training credits, kindly contact FFTA to ensure your selected course will be eligible.
Raising an adopted child
Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking for Schools and Families by Naomi Drew
Patty's Hair Garden (PDF) - We love hearing about people and places who make everyone, no matter their skin tone, religion, or ethnicity feel comfortable, welcome and at home. If you have a chance, please be sure to check out Patty’s Facebook page and website.
R Family Vacations
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Check out the "It Gets Better" Video and share it with your friends and family!!!
Additional Links
Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning resource center providing programming, information, and events to the LGBTQ community.
The Loft LGBT Community Services Center - Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community services center offering programs and services, events and resources to the Lower Hudson Valley LGBT community.
Center Families - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning resource center providing programming, information, and events to the LGBTQ community.
Learn how you can help FFTA by donating financially, through time and more...
What's New at FFTA?
FFTA Launches New "Foster 2 Forever" Initiative
Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. (FFTA) is very excited to announce the official launch of our Foster 2 Forever initiative. FFTA intends to work with prospective adoptive families showing interest in adopting children in the foster system that are already freed for adoption and in need of permanent homes. FFTA is approved to facilitate the state mandated training of parents to prepare them to adopt older children that may have histories of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, and more difficult childhood traumas, to no fault of their own.
On January 8, 2025, we are hosting our first Foster 2 Forever Free Information Session . This free event is open to anyone interested in adopting waiting children in the foster care system that are already freed for adoption. Come and join us to learn about the adoption process, waiting children, training requirements, and meet the Foster 2 Forever staff! Read more about our "Foster 2 Forever" program.Meet and Greet
January 7th, 2025
Adoption: Everything You Need to Know - Zoom Meeting!
January 8th, 2025
Foster 2 Forever: Free Information Session
February 6th, 2025
Foster 2 Forever: Free Information Session
February 26th, 2025
Adoption: Everything You Need to Know - Zoom Meeting!
