The following websites and resources are merely suggestions and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of Here I Am Orphan Ministries. If you discover a resource we have recommended that is inappropriate in any way, please alert us so that it can be investigated and removed if necessary. It is the responsibility of each family to determine if specific resources are appropriate choices for your family. The list is intended as a courtesy, not as an endorsement.
Adoption Support, General
Adoption Clubhouse
Support for adoptive families from the National Adoption Center.
Forever Families
The Christian Adoption Support Group of Here I Am Orphan Ministries.
Attachment Issues
ATTACH
The Association for Treatment and Training in the Attachment of Children - "An international coalition of parents, professionals and others working to increase awareness about attachment and its critical importance to human development."
Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio
"At the Attachment and Bonding Center (ABC) of Ohio, we place particular emphasis on fostering the connection between adopted children and their parents. By addressing early life issues - the early life experiences that interfered with normal developmental processes, we help the children let go of their anger, resentment, and fear. With this release comes the freedom to experience closeness and trust with others - resulting in a greater likelihood that they will attach to their adoptive families."
Attachment Disorder Support Group
"Here you will find information on attachment disorder, bonding, special needs children, real life testimonials, people, and much more!"
Attachment Disorder Support Site
"A wide variety of information regarding attachment issues."
Empowered To Connect
Helping countless adoptive and foster families effectively deal with the unique challenges they face in parenting their children.
Institute for Attachment and Child Development
"IACD is a licensed, nonprofit, internationally recognized treatment, training and child placement agency." "We are committed to transforming the lives of children with attachment, behavioral and emotional disorders and their families, and promoting healthy family relationships."
Nancy Thomas Parenting/Families By Design
"We offer information on adoption / attachment and bonding issues, and Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) as a not-for-profit service to families and professionals."
The Little Prince
A mother shares her experience parenting a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder and offers"a warm and friendly environment for other RAD parents."
Directory of Attachment Therapists by State
Attorneys Specializing in Adoption
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
"The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys is a national association of approximately 330 attorneys who practice, or have otherwise distinguished themselves, in the field of adoption law."
Jana Olson Baker
San Antonio, Texas
Phone - 210-525-0640
jana.baker@sbcglobal.net
Bible Verses
Here is what the Bible says about orphans and our Biblical responsibility for taking care of them. (List organization is based on "A Scriptural Summary of the Orphan, the Fatherless, and Adoption" from Family Life Hope for Orphans.)
GOD LOVES THE ORPHAN
Deuteronomy 10:14
Psalm 10:14
Psalm 68:5-6
Jeremiah 49:11
Hosea 14:3
GOD DEFENDS THE ORPHAN
Deuteronomy 24:17
Psalm 10:17-18
Psalm 146:9
Proverbs 23:10-11
GOD COMMANDS HIS PEOPLE TO CARE FOR THE ORPHANS
Deuteronomy 14:29
Deuteronomy 16:11
Deuteronomy 16:14
Deuteronomy 24:19-21
Deuteronomy 26:13
Job 22:9
Psalm 82:3
Isaiah 1:17
Jeremiah 7:5-7
James 1:27
GOD OPPOSES THOSE WHO WOULD HARM THE ORPHAN
Exodus 22:22-24
Deuteronomy 27:19
Job 6:27
Job 24:3
Job 24:9
Psalm 94:6
Isaiah 1:23
Isaiah 10:2
Jeremiah 5:28
Jeremiah 22:3
Ezekiel 22:7
Zechariah 7:10
Malachi 3:5
GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF ADOPTION
Romans 8:15
Romans 8:23
Romans 9:4
Galatians 4:5
Ephesians 1:5
INSTANCES OF ORPHANS IN SCRIPTURE
Lot in Genesis 11:27-28
The Daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27:1-5
Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9:3.
Joash in 2 Kings 11:1-12
Esther in Esther 2:7
INSTANCES OF "ADOPTION" IN SCRIPTURE
Moses "adopted" by Pharaoh's daughter in Exodus 2:1-10
Job cared for unnamed orphans in Job 31:16-18
Mordecai "adopted" Esther in Esther 2:7
Jesus "adopted" by Joseph in Matthew 1:18-24
Every Christian has been adopted by God through Christ Jesus - Ephesians 1:5
Book Recommendations
Tapestry Books
Specializes in books on adoption.
Books without Borders
The foreign language bookstore for children.
The Christian Alliance for Orphans
The Alliance Resource Library is designed to provide you with ready access to quality books, articles, DVDs, and other resources to help you grow effective, Christ-honoring adoption, foster care, and global orphan ministry.
More for Adults http://www.barkerfoundation.org/Adopting_A_Child/Adoption_Programs/US_Domestic/BooksforAdults.htm
CHILD SAFETY
International Association for Child Safety
"The International Association For Child Safety (IAFCS) is a worldwide network of child safety professionals. IAFCS Members are recognized childproofing experts and are ready to help you make your home a safe place for your little one."
Precious Baby Protectors
Baby proofing for your home and on the go. Offices located in Houston, Austin, and Dallas.
Financial Aid Resources
Tomorrow is a Gift
A wonderful list of grants, loans, fundraising ideas and resources to help defray and cover the expense of adoption.
Resources 4 Adoption
This website is the product of over 9 years of research on resources for adoption both online and off.
Foster Care
The Bair Foundation
Christian Foster Care
History of Adoption
The Adoption History Project
"The Adoption History Project is devoted to making adoption history accessible and interesting to visitors who may not be aware that adoption has a history at all."
HIV+ Children
From HIV to Home
"At From HIV to Home, we seek to pave a road home for the world's HIV-affected orphans, particularly for those children who are themselves HIV+. Domestically, we work to connect HIV+ orphans with adoptive families. We provide education, training, and community for HIV+ adoptive families, together with adoption grants and fundraising assistance. Internationally, we are working toward partnerships with other organizations and hope to begin funding projects at HIV+ orphan care sites in 2009."
HIV Adoptions
An episode of Facing Life Head On looks at families who made the choice to adopt HIV+ children.
Immigration Resources
Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services - Houston
Orphan Petition Office
126 Northpoint Drive
Houston, Texas 77060
U.S. Department of State
Office of Authentication
1019 Brazos
Austin, Texas 78701
Infertility Resources
Stepping Stones
"Offering Christian Support for Couples Facing Infertility or Pregnancy Loss"
A Ministry of Bethany Christian Servies
Intervention Assistance
Focus Adolescent Services
"Focus Adolescent Services is the largest and most comprehensive Internet site of information and resources on teen and family issues to help and support families with troubled and at-risk teens."
KidLink National Referral Network
"The KidLink Network is the largest, most comprehensive referral service for children and adolescents requiring residential behavioral healthcare in the country. KidLink provides assistance to parents, social service and court agencies, as well as other referral sources by
locating the most clinically appropriate treatment setting for children and adolescents suffering from a variety of mental health disorders." Programs for: Autism , Acute/Residential, Dual Diagnosis (Low Functional/MR), Dual Diagnosis (Substance Abuse), Neuro-Psychiatric , Private (Mental Health), Residential (Mental/Behavioral Health), Residential (Secure), Sexually Reactive - Children, Sex Offense Specific - Low Functioning/MR, Sex Offense Specific (Male), Sex Offense Specific (Female)
Facilities for Challenging Children
Cal Farley's
"Cal Farley's is one of America's largest privately-funded child welfare providers specializing in both residential and community-based services at no cost to the families of children in our care. Cal Farley's offers three types of services to children and families: residential, educational and community-based." Cal Farley's Boys Ranch is located northwest of Amarillo, and Girlstown, U.S.A. is located west of Lubbock.
Aspen Education Group
"Aspen Education Group is recognized nationwide as the leading provider of education programs for struggling or underachieving young people. As the largest and most comprehensive network of therapeutic schools and programs, Aspen offers professionals and families the opportunity to choose a setting that best meets a student's unique academic and emotional needs. Our services range from short-term intervention programs to residential treatment, and include a variety of therapeutic interventions."
Lone Star Expeditions
"Lone Star Expeditions is a therapeutic intervention in Texas that combines traditional therapy with a wilderness setting to engage students in exploring their character in a safe, but challenging environment. We accept students ages 13-17. Lone Star is a licensed wilderness treatment programs with a focus on assessment and intervention. We work with adolescents to transfer the knowledge learned to other areas of their lives. The forested, camp-like surroundings remove modern distractions and simplify choices to help students gain insight into their values and accept responsibility for their decisions. As the students and their parents progress through the program's four phases, students experience success and develop healthy self-esteem while working to improve family relationships. Conveniently located near Houston, Texas in the Southern Pine Forest, which offers a shade canopy throughout the year."
Peninsula Village
"Peninsula Village, established in 1986, is a long-term residential treatment center specializing in treating adolescents who have not been successful in other treatment settings. Our strength and success lie in our intense clinical approach combined with a chemical dependency component. Our clients, ages 13 to 18, typically are admitted with some combination of mood disorders, substance abuse issues, behavioral disorders, character pathologies, difficulties in school environments, sexual abuse issues, and cutting. Peninsula Village is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and is minutes from Knoxville, Tennessee."
Brookhaven Youth Ranch
"Brookhaven utilizes a Treatment Team approach when working with our young men and their families. Upon admission each youth will be assigned to a Therapist and Case Manager. Our Treatment Team for each individual consists of the Clinical Treatment Director, Director of Program Services, School Principal, Social Worker/Case Manager, behavioral specialist and supervisors. Our full time and contract professional staff includes; licensed clinical social workers, licensed masters level social workers, licensed counselors, sociologist, psychologist, psychiatrist and physicians. Collectively, they have spent over 200 years working with youth in crisis. They have been carefully selected and screened and were chosen for their leadership skills, maturity and compassion. The Treatment Team approach facilitates continuity of care, objective interaction, seamless monitoring, management of behaviors and thorough health monitoring." Brookhaven is located southwest of the Dallas area.
Boysville
"Recognizing that a child's needs are best met in a family environment, Boysville strengthens the lives of children by providing a continuum of services that foster healing and promote the well-being of children. " They offer "emergency shelter for children between the ages of infancy to 17, residential care for children 5 to18, foster care for large siblings groups between the ages of infancy to 17, transitional living services to help residents grow into responsible adults, therapeutic intervention for all residents including crisis counseling, individual, group and family counseling, and behavior management, compensatory education, health care, recreational activities / leadership development to include 4-H, Camp Wildbeast, summer camps, scouting, youth sports and others, and appropriate referral for children who require a higher level of supervision. " Boysville is located in Converse, Texas.
Project Patch
"Project PATCH is a licensed and accredited non-profit Residential Treatment Facility. Residents stay full-time at our Ranch located in the mountain community of Garden Valley, Idaho. Professional, dedicated staff of 40 cares for an average of 32 resident's between the ages of 12 and 17 for a length of approximately 12 months. Residents are held accountable to their peers, and gain privileges by progressing through a series of levels that measure their success in the PATCH Treatment Program. All education and treatment components at Project PATCH are separated by gender so that residents focus on their individualized Treatment Plan. Program goals are to heal at-risk youth by teaching them healthy life-skills, using behavior-modification therapy and are anchored in Christian principles. Family visits and ongoing updates are an integral part of the PATCH methodology. Project PATCH offers generous student sponsorships determined on an individual basis for each family.
St. Mary's Home for Boys
"Founded in 1889 as an orphanage for abandoned and wayward children, today St. Mary's offers residential treatment and services to at-risk boys between the ages of 10 and 17 who are emotionally disturbed and behaviorally delinquent. The individualized program provides each client with a structured regimen to ensure his successful transition to public school, the community, and appropriate living environment. Adolescent boys of all ethnic heritages and religious backgrounds are accepted."
Language Resources
Multi-Language Media Resource Catalog
Offers Christian resources in many global languages.
Books without Borders
The foreign language bookstore for children.
Rosetta Stone
A great tool for teaching English to internationally adopted children.
Magazines
Adoptive Families
"Adoptive Families, the award-winning national adoption magazine, is the leading adoption information source for families before, during, and after adoption."
Adoption Today
"Your guide to the issues and answers surrounding International and domestic adoption. Written by adoptive parents, adoptees and professionals in the fields of medicine, law, education, social work, child development and International and domestic adoption."
Fostering Families
"Fostering Families TODAY is committed to the issues that directly impact foster and adoptive families and the children in their care."
Medical RESOURCES
Institute of Child Development
Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross direct Texas Christian University's Institute of Child Development. In their book, The Connected Child, they explore (amoung many other topics)the value of good nutrition and its relationship with healthy brain chemistry.
Texas Children's Travel Medicine Clinic
Provides vaccines required to enter foreign countries and those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Certain recommended vaccines may help families reduce the risk of acquiring illnesses during international travel.
The Orphan Doctor
Dr. Jane Aronson is a pediatrician specializing in adoption medicine. "This site was designed to educate families hoping to adopt children both domestically and from abroad, starting with pre-adoption counseling to long-term developmental issues and concerns."
Military Families and Adoption
You Can Adopt! A Guide for Military Families
A free question and answer guide from the Adoption Exchange Association. Other resources helpful for military families looking to adopt can be found at the same site.
Older-Child Adoption
Note: Some of these resources consider older-child adoption to include children adopted over the age of 2 while others refer to older children as elementary age and above.
Books on Adopting the Older Child
Older Child Adoption & Parenting
Links to resources that support parenting following an older-child adoption.
Older Child Adoption
"Weekly online publication offering articles and information. Includes message board, bookstore and links."
Stories of Older Child Adoption
Read some of the stories that other families experienced through their older child adoption. (You may need to scroll to the bottom of the page).
On Track Adoption
Specializes in older-child adoptions. Website coming soon.
Parenting
Love and Logic
"Love and Logic provides simple and practical techniques to help teachers and parents have less stress and more fun while raising responsible kids. Love and Logic offers many useful techniques that teachers and parents can begin experimenting with immediately."
Products for Adoptive Families
Adoption Shop
Offers books, scrapbooking, music, apparel, jewelry and more that refer to adoption.
Adopt Shoppe
"A small shop for adoptive parents to find items of usefulness, value, and beauty."
Sexual Abuse and Adopted Children
For books on this topic, resources can be found at www.actforkids.org.
Books For Parents:
Especially for Parents, by DeAnn Yamamoto- Nading
Especially for Parents of Adolescents, by DeAnn Yamamoto-Nading
Understanding Children's Sexual Behaviors: Whats's Natural and Healthy, by Toni Cavanagh
Helping Children with Sexual Behavior Problems: A guidebook for Parents, by Toni Cavanagh
Helping Your Child Recover from Sexual Abuse, by Caren Adams
From Trauma to Understanding: A guide for Parents of Children with Sexual Behavior Problems, by William D. Pithers
How to Survive the Sexual Abuse of Your Child, by Christine Larsen
For Children:
Ages 3-8: Loving Touches-A Book for Children about Positive Caring Kinds of Touching, by Lory Freeman
Ages 3-8: Something Happened and I'm Scared to Tell, by Patricia Kehoe
Ages 3-8: The trouble with Secrets, by Karen Johnson
Ages 3-11: It's My body- A book to teach young children how to resist uncomfortable touch, by Lory Freeman
Ages 4-8: Uncle Willys Tickles: a Child's Right to Say No, by Marcie Aboff
Ages 4-12: Telling Isn't Tattling, by Kathryn Hammersend
Ages 5-11: Please Tell! A child's story about sexual abuse ages, by Jessie
Ages 6-12: It happens to Boys too, by Jane A.W. Satullo
Ages 7 to adolescent/adults: Let's Talk about Touching, by Toni Cavanagh
Tax Credit following Adoption
