Parents

Domestic Adoption, International Adoption, and Foster Care

• For books about adoption and foster care, search our catalog.

Adoption

• Adoptees In Search
  AIS is a group of adult adoptees in the Denver area that provides technical search information and emotional support to searchers, educates the public about the adoptive experience, and works on the revision of laws and policies regarding adoption information.
• Adoptive Families Magazine
  This online site of the national adoption magazine offers information, articles, and news updates on all aspects of domestic and international adoption. 
• AdoptUSKids
  National photo listing service for children awaiting adoption across the United States. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. Its Resource Center link gives basic information on the adoption process.
• Adoption Exchange
  Assists adoption agencies in finding homes for children who are in the foster care system. The Exchange covers the Rocky Mountain region and has an office in Denver. The site contains a directory of licensed adoption agencies and parent support groups in its member states.
• American Adoption Congress
  A national organization that works on changing attitudes, policies, and legislation to improve access to identifying information for adoptees and their birth and adoptive families. It also facilitates birth family reunification for adopted adults through search and support group networking and/or social service assistance.
• Change a Life Forever
  Sponsored by the Colorado Department of Human Services, the site promotes foster care and adoption, provides county government contacts, and offers links to foster care and adoption related resources. 
• Child Welfare Information Gateway
  A service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Resources on all aspects of domestic and intercountry adoption, including adoption from foster care. Includes information for prospective and adoptive parents; information about searching for birth relatives; resources for professionals on recruiting adoptive families, preparing children and youth, supporting birth parents, and providing post adoption services.
• Colorado Coalition of Adoptive Families
  A non-profit organization assisting foster-adopt, adoptive, and kinship families in the state. The site provides news and events, lists of support groups, current legislation, volunteer opportunities, and links to a variety of useful sites.
• Colorado Association of Family and Children’s Agencies
  A broad-based group of agencies that works with state and local governments on policy issues, the site answers frequently asked questions regarding adoption and foster care.
• Colorado Division of Child Welfare: Adoption
  A Division of the Colorado Department of Human Services. Its Adoption Assistance Information link gives information on contacts, eligibility, post adoption services, and more. Also from the Colorado Division of Child Welfare: Foster Care Services
• Colorado Heritage Camps, Inc.
  Facilitates annual heritage camps that provide culturally relevant and family-centered experiences. The site’s Resources link lists web sites of parent support groups for specific heritages.
• Colorado State Foster Parent Association
  Offers education, advocacy, and resources for Colorado foster parents.
• Concerned United Birthparents
  CUB members now include birthparents, adoptees, adoptive parents, other adoption affected people and professionals. The group works to provide emotional support, to reform adoption law and social policy, to prevent unnecessary family separations, to assist adoption-separated relatives, and to educate the public.
• Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
  A non-profit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of foster care children in North America.
• Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
  A national not-for-profit organization devoted to improving adoption policy and practice through research, education, and advocacy.
• Joint Council on International Children’s Services
  Advocates ethical practices in intercountry adoption. Its web site includes country information and updates, legislative updates, and links to other adoption sites and organizations.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adopted Children (PDF)
  USCIS’ online booklet The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adopted Children describes the intercountry adoption process and explains the major issues adoptive parents should understand before they begin the process.
• U.S. Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues
  Provides information and coordinates policy on international adoption to the public. Their web site contains the legal requirements of specific foreign countries.

Foster Care

• Orphan Foundation of America
  A national non-profit organization helping foster youth ages 17-23 with scholarships, mentoring, and leadership/intern programs. OFA administers several state Educational and Training Voucher programs in the U.S., including Colorado.
• The Colorado Education and Training Voucher Program
  The Colorado Education and Training Voucher Program offers funds to foster youth and former foster youth to enable them to attend colleges, universities and vocational training institutions. 
• Colorado State Foster Parent Association
  Offers education, advocacy, and resources for Colorado foster parents.
• FosterClub
  FosterClub's mission is to provide encouragement, motivation, information, education, and benefits for foster youth.
• The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
  Assists youth in making the transition from foster care to adulthood. The goal is to help young people leaving the foster care system to become financially literate, develop assets for basic living expenses, and gain smoother entry to education and training opportunities. In the Denver area, the Initiative works in partnership with Mile High United Way.
• Mile High Hope
  A Denver metro charitable organization whose focus is to help youth in foster care through educational scholarships and community involvement.
• Colorado Division of Child Welfare: Foster Care Services
  A Division of the Colorado Department of Human Services, the site gives links to local and national organizations devoted to improving the lives of foster children. Also on the site is access to forms, medical information, provider rates, and county reports.
• Foster Club for Teens and Young Adults
  The web site of the national network Foster Club geared specifically to teens and young adults, it provides support, information, and dialogue.
• National Foster Youth Advisory Council
  A national group of current and former foster youth dedicated to improving the lives of youth in foster care.
• National Foster Care Month
  Celebrated each year in May, the program promotes awareness of foster care issues and encourages involvement through foster parenting, mentoring, donations, and leadership.
• Camp To Belong
  An international non-profit organization dedicated to reuniting siblings placed in separate foster homes and other out-of-home care for events of fun, emotional empowerment, and sibling connection. The flagship events are week-long summer camps, one of which is annually held in Colorado.
• Fostering Families Today
  The web site of the bimonthly magazine geared toward foster parents, fost-adopt parents, adoptive parents, kinship care providers, and agencies and professionals.
• National Foster Parent Association
  A national organization that supports foster parents and foster children, works to improve the foster care system, and informs the public on current issues regarding foster care.