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Adoption
Exchanges What is an adoption exchange? Because it's not easy to define an adoption exchange, it may help to begin by saying what an adoption exchange is not. An exchange is not an adoption agency. It does not generally approve families for adoption, make final decisions about which family will adopt which child, or place children in adoptive homes. Exchanges do not have children in their care, although they may work very closely with the organizations that do. But exchanges and exchange workers are still an important piece of the adoption puzzle. Adoption exchanges exist to help bring together interested families and children's caseworkers. They spread the word about a waiting child through publicity such as newspaper articles or placing the child's photo on a website. Then, when families respond, exchange workers field the calls and emails. The word exchange refers to an exchange of information that takes place between the exchange worker, the family's social worker, and the child's caseworker. For waiting children, adoption exchanges find families and increase the chances of being adopted. Why are exchanges important to families? For families new to adoption, exchanges provide information and sometimes preparation classes. For approved families, the exchange worker's job is to pass on information to the child's worker. Some exchanges allow families to register themselves. They provide a way for families to make themselves known to caseworkers. Many exchanges serve as advocates for families, networking with children's agencies and initiating contacts. Sometimes referred to as a go-between or a clearinghouse, an exchange can be a safe, neutral place for a family to contact with adoption questions. No two exchanges are exactly alike. Many are state exchanges, closely affiliated with the state's adoption unit. Others are regional, serving several states. There is also a national exchange, AdoptUSKids. Exchanges may focus on children with a specific disability or ethnic heritage. Some are government funded and others are non-profits. And exchanges may offer a wide variety of services, such as holding matching parties or providing support after adoption. Adoption exchanges have been around for almost 50 years and have helped connect thousands of children with their forever families. To locate an exchange in your area visit the Adoption Exchange Association website at http://www.adoptea.org.
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