Assessing the Field of Post-Adoption Services:
Family Needs, Program Models, and Evaluation Issues

Case Study Report

Submitted by:
Deborah Gibbs and Kristin Siebenaler
RTI International

Richard P. Barth
University of North Carolina School of Social Work
Contract No. 100-99-0006

Submitted to:
Laura Feig Radel
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

Funded by:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau

November 2002

This report is available on the Internet at:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/post-adoption01/case-study/

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Contents

Executive Summary

Chapters:

1. Introduction
2. Data Collection
   • 2.1 Site Selection
   • 2.2 Data Collection Methods
     • 2.2.1 Contact
     • 2.2.2 Interviews
     • 2.2.3 Focus Groups
     • 2.2.4 Document Collection
   • 2.3 Data Management
   • 2.4 Case Study Analysis and Reporting
3. Post-Adoption Service Program Models
4. Need for and Satisfaction with Post-Adoption Services
   • 4.1 Service Needs
     • 4.1.1 States’, Coordinators’, and Providers’ Perspective
     • 4.1.2 Adoptive Parents’ Perspective
   • 4.2 Satisfaction with Services
     • 4.2.1 State Activities
     • 4.2.2 Adoptive Parents’ Perspective
5. Post-Adoption Service Program Characteristics
   • 5.1 History
   • 5.2 PAS Program Structure
     • 5.2.1 Program Structure
     • 5.2.2 Funding Mechanisms
   • 5.3 Program Goals and Objectives
     • 5.3.1 Preserving Adoptive Families
     • 5.3.2 Statewide Access
     • 5.3.3 Family-Centered Services
     • 5.3.4 Adoptive Family Recruitment
   • 5.4 Eligibility
   • 5.5 Sources and Levels of Funding
     • 5.5.1 Source of Funding
     • 5.5.2 Funding Level
   • 5.6 Outreach and Referral
     • 5.6.1 Outreach
     • 5.6.2 Referral from Other Service Providers
6. Services Offered by PAS Programs
   • 6.1 Information and Referral
   • 6.2 Counseling and Crisis Intervention
   • 6.3 Respite
   • 6.4 Case Management
   • 6.5 Parent Training
   • 6.6 Professional Training
   • 6.7 Advocacy
   • 6.8 Support Groups
7. Subsidies and Other Forms of Support
   • 7.1 Relationship between PAS Programs and Subsidies
   • 7.2 Subsidy Policy in Case-Study States
8. PAS Program Evaluation
   • 8.1 Structure of Evaluation
   • 8.2 Types of Evaluation Activities
   • 8.3 Barriers to Evaluation
9. Discussion
   • 9.1 Need for Post-Adoption Services
     • 9.1.1 Projecting PAS Needs
     • 9.1.2 Service Needs Identified by Adoptive Parents
   • 9.2 Program Structure and Services
     • 9.2.1 Impetus for PAS Program Development
     • 9.2.2 Program Goals and Eligibility
     • 9.2.3 Program Structure
     • 9.2.4 Services Offered
   • 9.3 Other Supports and Services
   • 9.4 Evaluation
   • 9.5 Conclusion

References

Appendix:  Persons Interviewed

Exhibits

• Exhibit 2-1 Topics Addressed in Interviews
• Exhibit 2-2 Topics Addressed in Focus Groups with Adoptive Parents
• Exhibit 3-1 Key Characteristics of PAS Programs in Case-Study States
• Exhibit 4-1 Adoptive Parent Responses to Oregon Needs Assessment
• Exhibit 5-1 Eligibility for State-Funded Post-Adoption Services and Supports
• Exhibit 5-2 Funding Sources for Post-Adoption Services and Supports
• Exhibit 5-3 Annual Funding for Post-Adoption Services and Supports (FY 2002)
• Exhibit 6-1 Post-Adoption Services (PAS) in State-Supported PAS Program
• Exhibit 7-1 Adoption Support Policies for Case-Study States

Where to?

Top of Page

Contents of Report

Home Pages:
Assessing the Field of Post-Adoption Services, project main page
Human Services Policy (HSP)
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Last updated:  06/13/03