Honoring Youth in National Adoption Month
November is National Adoption Month, a time to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families and celebrate the children and families impacted by adoption. Initiated by President Bill Clinton in 1995, National Adoption Month has grown into a campaign calling attention to the many teens and children in foster care awaiting permanent homes. This year’s theme, “Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds,” calls attention to long-lasting connections for youth and ensuring adoption provides them with opportunities to heal, stabilize and have lifelong well-being.
Focusing on Teens in Foster Care
National Adoption Month has increasingly called attention to the adoption of teens in foster care, who often face unique challenges. Older youth in foster care wait longer for adoption and are at higher risk of aging out of the system without a permanent family, according to Child Welfare Information Gateway. In fact, as of September 2022, there were close to 109,000 children nationwide waiting to be adopted, and of those, over 20% were between the ages of 13 and 17.
According to Chapin Hall, “About 20,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 21 age out of foster care each year … On average, compared to their peers, youth formerly in foster care have lower rates of postsecondary educational attainment but higher rates of unemployment, homelessness and public assistance receipt.” Unfortunately, too many of these teens will encounter very uncertain futures.
Teenagers require more than just a place to live – they need a stable, supportive family to help them navigate the transition into adulthood.
The Importance of Lasting Connections
“We need a shift in mindset from we are adopting this child to, we are adopting each other, and blending and growing together.” (Administration for Children and Families, 2020).
Adoption is not just about finding a child a place to live; it also ensures that young people have a strong support system throughout their lives. Support networks should embrace their racial, ethnic and cultural identities to help youth feel affirmed and valued. When youth feel seen and heard, they are more likely to thrive in their new families and communities. Lasting relationships are key to the emotional and social well-being of children, particularly in their journey toward permanency (Administration for Children and Families, 2020).
Honoring the youth means listening to their voices and experiences and empowering them to be active participants in their adoption journey.
Overrepresentation of Children of Color
National Adoption Month also highlights the overrepresentation of children of color in the system. The waiting population is disproportionately composed of Black or African American children, multiracial children and American Indian/Alaska Native children according to Children’s Bureau Express. Historically speaking, these populations have faced challenges within the child welfare system which includes distrust and loss of connections to their cultural heritage. When inequalities are acknowledged the gateway toward inclusion opens, and every child can have the opportunity to find a family that is nurturing and culturally competent (Children’s Bureau Express, 2024).
Conclusion
National Adoption Month is a time of reflection regarding the power of adoption in changing lives. This year, as we honor youth and work toward strengthening pathways for lifelong connections, we are reminded of our commitment to teens in foster care and connecting them with permanent, loving families. Listening and lifting youth voices and creating lasting connections are all key components in providing a brighter future for Missouri children.
Blog post by Brianna Bowman
