1. Barriers and Interventions
The children that are wards of the government and states are relying on social workers and
policy makers to ensure that they are given the best opportunities to be placed with a
family that suites their needs in a safe and loving manner. However, more than 400,000
children are currently in the foster care system and many are losing hope in their
advocates.2 Specifically, adolescent children are less likely to be adopted and more likely to
decline to consent-to-adopt. It is the responsibility of social workers and policy makers to
address this situation and implement the most effective intervention strategies.
FACTS OF THE ISSUE
The age when
a child’s
chances of
being adopted
decrease1
The percent of
children who
aged-out of
foster care that
will become
homeless4
Child’s age + each year
in care =
reduction in odds of
adoption3
The average
age of
children in
foster care2
Homeless, ex-foster care
children will be arrested4
of Americans
have considered
adopting4
By analyzing each of these devastating facts and their relationship with the barriers that disrupt
adolescent adopts, social workers and policy makers can gain an in-depth understanding of the
issues and how the proposed interventions can assist in increasing adolescent adoption.
BARRIERS
Age a child can
opt out of
adoption1
Adoptee5
vs.
Adopter6 & 7
Lose
connection to
birth family
Issues with
adoptive family
Processing &
adjustment is too
difficult
Not feeling
equipped to handle
an adolescent
Lack of
finances &
support
Policies that unevenly
distribute aid and
attention
among
age groups1 & 7
Behavior &
psycho/social
issues
Mismatching of
adoptees and
adopters6 & 7
INTERVENTIONS
Summer Robinson
December 2015
SOC 326 – Dr. Scott Smith
EducationRecruitment
Policies
Modify adoption waivers 1
Agency Incentives to
encourage adolescent
adoptions 1 & 7
Youth Involvement and
Consent in processes 1
Accessible Services that
are Geared toward
adolescent adoption6 & 7
Utilize current
knowledge about
what works and
what problems
are likely to arise5
Pre and post
adoption
consulting for
both parties5
Advocate for
adolescents by
empowering them1
Competency
assessments:
youth’s needs
= adopter’s
strengths 4, 5, & 6
Marketing techniques:
films/social media,
community
involvement, and
incentives 1, 4, & 6
Adults who are
involved in youth’s
life: family member
or foster parent1 & 4

2. Citations
1. Groh, A. (2009). It's Time to Make Older Child Adoption a Reality. North American Council on Adoptable Children.
2. The AFCARS Report. (2015, July 1). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb
3. Barth, R. (1997). Effects of Age and Race on the Odds of Adoption versus Remaining in Long-Term Out-of-Home Care. Child Welfare League of
America, 76(2), 284-289. Retrieved November 24, 2015, from ProQuest.
4. Cowan, A. (2004). New Strategies to Promote the Adoption of Older Children Out of Foster Care. Children and Youth Services Review, 26,
1007-1020. Retrieved November 24, 2015, from www.sciencedirect.com
5. Wright, L., & Flynn, C. (2005). Adolescent Adoption: Success despite Challenges. Children and Youth Services Review, 28, 487-510. Retrieved
November 24, 2015, from www.sciencedirect.com
6. Brind, K. (2008). An Exploration of Adopters' Views Regarding Children's Ages at the Time of Placement. Child & Family Social Work, 13(3),
319-328.
7. Dhami, M., Mandel, D., & Sothmann, K. (2007). An evaluation of post-adoption services. Children And Youth Services Review, 29(2), 162-179.
8. Sanchez-Sandoval, Y., & Palacios, J. (2012). Stress in adoptive parents of adolescents. Children And Youth Services Review, 34(7), 1283-1289.