Frequently Requested Information

The Children's Bureau provides frequently asked questions and frequently requested information on the topics of adoption, child abuse and neglect, and child welfare.

Adoption

Frequently Asked Questions

• Adoption assistance (also called adoption subsidy): Who is eligible and where do I find more information?
• How do I adopt a child living in another State?
• What post-adoption services are available?
• What are the adoption laws in my State? How do I find out about my state laws governing adoption?

Frequently Requested Information

• How Many Children Were Adopted in 2000 and 2001? - Highlights - Provides the most current national and State statistics on the number of children adopted in the U.S. A link to the full report, with State-by-State information, is located in the Highlights document.
• Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System - National statistics on the number and characteristics of children adopted from the U.S. foster care system.
• Immigrant Visas Issued to Orphans Coming to the United States - National statistics on the number of children adopted from other countries by U.S. citizens.
• Persons Seeking to Adopt - Presents demographics of prospective adoptive parents in the U.S.
• Placing Children for Adoption - Statistics on voluntary relinquishments of children for adoption in the U.S.

Child Abuse & Neglect

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect?
• What can I do if I suspect child abuse or neglect? How do I report child abuse or neglect?
• What are the laws on child abuse and neglect in my State?
• How many children are abused and neglected each year?
• Is this child abuse or neglect? What is child abuse or neglect? What is the definition of child abuse and neglect?

Frequently Requested Information

• Child Abuse and Neglect: Frequently Asked Questions - Answers common questions about child abuse and neglect in the United States.
• State Liaison Officers for Child Abuse and Neglect - Contact information for State Liaison Officers.
• Child Abuse Reporting Numbers - This directory lists the in-state toll-free and local phone numbers maintained by States to receive reports about suspected child abuse.
• Child Maltreatment Reports - Reports from the States to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems.
• Child Welfare Outcomes Reports - This series of annual reports is required by the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA).

Foster Care

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I become a foster parent?
• How many children are in foster care? What are the statistics on the number of children in foster care?
• How long do children stay in foster care?

Frequently Requested Information

• Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System - National statistics on the number and characteristics of children adopted from the U.S. foster care system.
• Helping Your Foster Child Transition to Your Adopted Child: A Factsheet for Families - This factsheet discusses the various ways that foster families can help children transition from being a foster child to becoming a permanent member of a family.
• Foster Parent Adoption: What Parents Should Know - This fact sheet reviews issues that foster parents should consider when making the decision to adopt their foster child, such as the emotional impact of adoption on the child and the implications of increased parental responsibility.
• Multiple Placements in Foster Care: Literature Review of Correlates and Predictors - Examines the correlation between placement stability and child well-being.
• Out-of-Home Care: Foster Care Demographics - These National Data Analysis System (NDAS) reports include data on age, gender, race, and ethnicity of children in the foster care system and information about children for whom IV-E reimbursement was received by state agencies.

For the Press

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many children are in foster care in the U. S.? In my State?
• How many children are abused and neglected each year?
• What are the adoption laws in my state?
• How long do children stay in foster care?