Final focus; further research needed.

For my final research I hope to find more information on the money that goes into adoption. Specifically the money that goes into Maine adoptions. I would like to learn more about home studies and cost and any other areas that might have to be paid for. Statistics really that would wrap everything up. I hope to interview someone who has adopted or was adopted. Also perhaps finding statistics about the age groups of children adopted. I think these would help focus my research if I knew these facts so I could have something to refer to other than people's opinion on adoption.

responce to article # 9 the forgotten children of operation babylift

That is just ridiculous!! How in the world do people not properly file something like adoption papers!! It is not far that the children of operation babylift are now being threatended with deportation when they have lived in the U.S. thier whole lives.

article # 9 the forgotten children of operation babylit.

In 1975, President Ford commenced Operation Babylift. It was an operation that brought 2,500 orphaned babies out of war-torn Vietnam and sent then to loving homes in the U.S. and around the world. Now, thirty years later, many of these once orphans are finding themselves in fear of deportation. All because of improper filing of adoption papers back in the 70's. According to the USCIS, even though they have adoption paper work, a drivers licence, a social security number, and have lived in the U.S. there whole lives, they are considered illegal aliens and could be deported. Many have to go through the immigration process as if they had just arrived in the country before they can be considered a U.S. citizen. Congress acted to fix the problem. In 2001, the Child Citizenship Act, guaranteed that immigrants and foreign adopted children under 18 in the U.S. would get immediate citizenship. However, that does nothing to help the older children who aren't considered U.S. citizens due to faulty filing.

Response to post #8: The TODAY show explores the cost of adoption

I think that it's great that someone is doing something to help families that want to adopt but can't afford it. By submitting an application, that doesn't mean that one will get a grant, but it is worth a shot. I think that they should do screenings fro expectant families. If they do one for adoptive families they should do one on expectant parents to see if they will make good parents. Most foster or adoptive children were taken from bad family situations to begin with so I think that parents should have to go through a screening or test of some sort to see if they will be good parents to begin with. Otherwise you're putting all this children a jeopardy of being stuck with poor parents. Anyway, I think the grants are a good idea and can help many people with adopting. With the organization being non-profit, they must receive many donations in order to hand out yearly grants. However, it will hopefully help many families in the future that are wishing to adopt.

Post # 8 : The TODAY show explores affording the cost of Adoption

This short article from Carrie's adoption blog talks about how the Today Show talked about adoption costs. They featured an organization called helpusadopt.org. The Co-Founders quoted that their adoption agent said that if they couldn't afford adoption that they had to either go into financial ruin or not adopt. They didn't appreciate that answer. They were going to do something to help. Helpusadopt.org in a national non-profit organization that gives grants to adoptive families. The "families aren't judged based on race, religion, marital status, or sexual preference. Families do need to have completed an adoption home study"; where someone from an agencies comes to review your home and family life to see if you're suitable to adopt. Grants range from $500 to $1500. "Applications for June 2009 grants are due Friday, April 17, 2009.

Response to new Maine adoption laws

The site I looked at was informative about the new laws. I think it's nice that the older children have to agree about their adoptive parents and can't be randomly placed with anyone. Who may adopt wasn't very clear about same sex couples, but I think it might fall under unmarried persons unless the gay marriage laws get changed soon. It's nice that anyone of any age can get adopted so then you have a chance of getting adopted when your 18. Even thought the system kicks you out after that. I think that the putiative father info. was talking about the birth fathers and thier right to records after the adoption was finallized. What about the birthmothers? Do they get that right? There was a list of things that the birthparents have to pay for: medical bills, legal fees, etc. Which is good because then the adopting personell won't have to pay for everything on thier own. The infant safe haven lwas are to help infants 31 weeks who aren't with good parents I think. Legal personel take them away to where they are safe. WHich is good for the infant. I wish they were more clear on gay couple adoption. ...

Maine Adoption Laws

Looking for recent Maine adoption laws, I came across a site that has bullets of the new laws. Here's what I found. Parents need to consent to the adoption. Also children fourteen and older must consent with the adoption as well. Parental consent isn't needed when the parent has abandoned the child or has failed their parental responsibilities. Adopted adults 18 and older came get access to their birth records to find out who their birth parents are. The parents of adopted children younger than 18 can get the records for them. People who may adopt are a married husband and wife. An unmarried person, and a resident or nonresident. Anyone may be adopted regardless of their age. Advertising when not an agency is prohibited. There was stuff about infant safe haven laws and regulation of adoption fees and putative fathers...it was kind of confusing but informative.