As exemplified by The Dave Thomas Foundation, when adoptions are youth-centered, they can effectively help children, teens and sibling groups find permanent connections. Sadly, not every adoption utilizes a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids approach. We deeply appreciate the tireless dedication of The Dave Thomas Foundation and recommend their evidence-based practices. When adoptions aren’t done right, outcomes can go wrong…

OHIO YAB members have expressed concerns about adoptive parents who receive subsidies, and then abandon adoptees at or after the age of 18. In New York, the Children’s Law Center was a pioneer in studying disrupted adoptions. They founded the Broken Adoptions Project in 2011. They set up a helpline, posted flyers and listened to children, teens, and young adults whose lives were impacted by the loss of an adoptive connection.

The Broken Adoption Project advocates for youth in New York who are impacted by the loss of an adoptive connection:

• To have their voice heard in court or non-court proceedings that impact them.
• To be fully informed about the possible outcomes of their situation.
• To be fully informed about their options regarding sibling contact (if siblings are a topic they want explored).
• To be connected with a stable, caring adult and appropriate services to help them move successfully into their adult lives.

The OHIO YAB would like to create similar supports in our state. Young people whose adoptive parents fail to provide for them during young adulthood are often ineligible for supports that are provided to “aging out” foster youth. This makes that transition lonely and difficult for them.

Here in Ohio, the Adoption Assistance Program to 21 is only available to young people who were adopted from an Ohio Public Children Services Agency at age 16 or 17, and whose adoptive parents are maintaining parental responsibility. This means that if the adoptive parents are no longer providing support, the adoptee is ineligible.

Ohio youth leaders have asked, “Why punish an adoptee and make them ineligible to receive help if their adoptive parents no longer provide for them? Isn’t this the population that needs help the most? And if they are abandoned at or after age 18, why should it matter how old they were when they were adopted in the first place?”

We’ve learned that:

Connecticut’s Post Adoptive Tuition Program follows the young person even if (especially if) their adoptive family no longer provides for their needs or supports them during young adulthood.

Connecticut’s Sun Scholars serves foster and adopted youth throughout the state and supports them with college graduation and career development. This program is founded and led by a former foster youth, and everyone who is a full-time staffer and over 50% of their board has spent time in foster care.