Adoption Dissolutions: How Common, What Are the Causes, How to Prevent

Not all adoptions are forever. Some fail. Recent reports by NBC News, the Today Show, and Reuters focused on the devastating outcomes for some kids and families, but left unanswered how often adoptions fail, what types of adoptions are at the most risk for adoption disruption or adoption dissolution, and what to do to prevent them from failing. Host Dawn Davenport interviewed a panel of adoption experts: Dr. Trudy Festinger, professor at the Silver School of Social Work at New York University, and leading researcher on adoption disruptions; Stephen Hayes, adoption attorney who has handled over 3,500 adoption cases, including many adoption dissolutions, and a fellow and past Vice President of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys; and Regina Kupecky, psycho-therapist specializing in adoption and attachment, and co-author of Parenting the Hurt Child and Adopting the Hurt Child.

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Hit the Highlights

What’s the difference between adoption disruption, adoption dissolution, and failed adoption?
How common are adoption dissolutions. How often do adoption fail after they have been finalized?
Who keeps track of adoption dissolutions?
How is research done to determine the numbers of failed adoptions?
What type of adoptions are more likely to dissolve? Adoptions from foster care? International adoptions? Domestic infant adoptions?
Are older child adoptions more likely to fail?
Are international adoptions more likely to dissolve?
What are some of the common reasons adoptions fall apart?
How to prevent adoptions from dissolving?
The problem with pre-adoption education.
The need for post adoption education and support.
Where can families find post adoption education and support?
Difference between respite care and residential treatment?
Cost of residential treatment.
Is there any way to get residential treatment covered by the government or insurance?
How common is it for biological families to want to find a different place for their children to be raised?
Once families reach the end of their rope, what are the legal steps they need to take to find a new home for their child?