Medical Needs

U.S. Department of Labor: “Protections for Newborns, Adopted Children, and New Parents…The Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996”

An article by the US Department of Labor on protections for newborns, adopted children, and new parents in the context of a health protection act passed in 1996. It explains how the healthcare operates in relation to adoption and the different technicalities involved in securing health surance when adopting.

Medical Needs

lowcosthealthinsurance.com: “Will my health insurance cover an adopted child?”

This article explains how health insurance works with adopted children. It states most insurance plans covering biological children must cover adopted children; however, it cautions some exceptions exist. It also discusses these exceptions and what parents can do to ensure their child is covered with either Medicaid or through other ways.

Medical Needs

CDC: “International Adoption”

A CDC article on vaccinations and disease for parents seeking to adopt internationally. It gives recommendations and information for before overseas travel, the overseas medical examination process, vaccinations, finding a medical provider in the U.S, Class A Conditions, and the Waiver Process.

Medical Needs

U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs: “Health Considerations”

An article by the U.S Department of State-Bureau of consular affairs. It establishes the difference between convention adoption requirements which normally have an Article 16 requirement, and non-convention requirements. It also establishes reasonable expectations for accredited adoption service providers and visa requirements for a medical examination.

Medical Needs

Gladney Center for Adoption: “Special Needs Adoption Guide: What you need to know when considering special needs adoption”

An article on what parents need to know when it comes to special needs adoption. Different sections explain what special needs adoption is, the medical conditions checklist, having a file reviewed, setting up your support system, facing reality upon arriving home, navigating the medical system, and more.

Medical Needs

Medical Home Portal: “Adoption of Children with Special Needs”

An article covering general preparation advice for parents adopting a child with special needs. It covers adoption of children with special needs, getting ready for adoption, choosing an adoption agency, the outline of the adoption process, and a resource section.

Medical Needs

RainbowKids: “Special Needs in Children”

Rainbow Kids Adoption & Child Welfare Advocacy section on special needs is a resource for families considering special needs adoption. With thirteen main categories, each has subcategories that explains different information and considerations for adoptive parents. The site itself also houses a list of children waiting to be adopted that prospective parents may visit after creating an account.

Medical Needs

Gladney Center for Adoption: “How We Decided Which Special Needs Boxes to Check on Our Preference Checklist”

This article by an adoptive mother talks about considerations that go into the preference checklist adoptive parents complete. She gives advice on how to not feel overwhelmed while approaching this initial list in sections.

Medical Needs

Utah’s Adoption Connection: Children with Special Needs

This is digital Lending Library allows prospective adoptive families, foster parents, and adoptive parents to rent books for free. Users can check out up to three items at a time for up to six weeks. Within the Children with Special Needs category there are further categories focused on specific special needs, as well as other categories on general adoption, children’s titles, for parenting, for professionals, and LBGTQ focus.

Medical Needs

No Hands But Ours

No Hands But Ours focuses on the children currently being abandoned in China with special medical needs. The organization contains resources for those in the process of adopting a child from China, already home with their adopted child, or just researching special needs. It was founded and is maintained by adoptive parents that specifically focus on special needs adoption from China. The website comprises information regarding specific special needs, family stories, resources (such as before travel and the first year at home) and also opportunities to connect locally and virtually.

Resources