Like all the Guides at About.com, I'm a real person, and I welcome input from you.
Many readers think that much like other adoption related sites, About.com Adoption & Foster Care is managed by a team, but it's not. It is the product of the work of one single individual, the Guide.
I enjoy receiving messages, however I can't always answer every message. This is due to the sheer volume of email I receive every day from all over the world. This is also because as one person, I do not have the knowledge about nor access to information about all of the adoption laws and foster care regulations of the location from which you write to me. I can rarely answer one-on-one personal questions about your adoption or foster care situation.
Please read this document in its entirety before emailing me. Chances are, you'll find your answer here.
Adoption & Foster Care Site: Mission, Purpose, and Audience
This site will be a safe place for all members of the adoption and foster care triad to share experiences and feelings. This site is a place to find practical, actionable advice such as: learn how to adopt, both domestic and international; how to parent children who have experienced extreme losses through foster care or adoption, how to go about a search and reunion with birth family, and how to become a foster parent.
I want to be able to provide the best adoption and foster care resources and try to keep a balanced network for all members of the triad.
Those who visit the Adoption & Foster Care site are often:
People who work in the child welfare field - social workers, therapists or direct care staff of group homes.
Foster parents seeking a community or resources for parenting support or those interested in becoming foster parents.
Adoptive parents seeking a community or resources for parenting support or those interested in becoming adoptive parents.
Adoptees who are seeking resources or information on adoption search for birth family, or seeking a community that understands.
Birth parents who are seeking resources or information on adoption search for the placed adoptee, or seeking a community that understands.
Expectant parents considering placing their unborn child and seeking resources for advice and guidance in the decision process.
People who want to increase their understanding of the adoption and foster care community and its culture.
How to Find the Help You Need
Before deciding to email me, ask yourself a few questions:- Did I read Foster Care 101?
- Did I read Thinking About Adopting?
- Did I read All About Adoption Search?
- Did I post my question to the Adoption forum?
- Did I use the search function on this site to find the answer?
- Did I check the Topics listings at the left-hand side of the main page?
If you can answer "yes" to all of these questions, and still couldn't find the answer you were looking for, then writing to the Adoption & Foster Care Guide might be the answer. But, before you do, below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about this site as well as how to find other needed information and resources.
- I'm an adult and I'm interested in being adopted. How do I start the process?
- This is one of the most common questions I receive. I have two different FAQ's written on this question. One for those who are citizens of the United States. The other is for foreigners interested in being adopted by a United States citizen.
- My child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend's child is in foster care and we are losing parental rights. Please help!
- I'm very sorry, but I don't offer legal advice. While my heart goes out to you and the children, I can not help. I do suggest contacting a family law attorney.
- How do I become a foster parent?
- That's great! See, How to Become a Foster Parent?.
- How do I adopt a child?
- How exciting! See, Before You Decide Adopting a Child Is for You and Getting Started with the Adoption Process or Getting Started with the International Adoption Process.
- Help me find my brother, sister, daughter, son, birth father, or birth mother!
- My best advice would be to see the following, All About Adoption Search to begin your own search or How to Request an Adoption Search to work with an adoption search angel. As a reunited sister with an adult adoptee that my mother placed at birth, I wish you luck in your adoption search!
- Help! I'm pregnant and don't feel like I can parent this baby.
- I'm very sorry that you are in such an overwhelming situation. See, Is Adoption a Choice for Your Unborn Child?, I Am Pregnant and Need Resources to Explore Parenting, and Expectant Mothers Can Find Support Online with Other Birth Parents. If you still feel that you are unable to parent and feel that adoption is the best option for your child, see, Once You've Decided That Adoption Is Right for Your Baby.
- I really have a question not covered here. How do I email you?
- For all other questions and comments, you can email me at adoption@aboutguide.com. Because of the amount of email I receive, I may not be able to respond right away, but I do try to read every piece of mail.
Note: Any email and responses may be posted as a FAQ or the blog on the Adoption & Foster Care site, while protecting the identity of the writer with initials. Names and email addresses will not be disclosed to other readers.