Medical Needs

The Special Needs Parent Handbook – 2nd Edition

The book provides practical and useful advice for parents of children with special needs or other disabilities. It includes sections on: Hiring babysitters and free respite help, Finding the best and kindest doctors, Keeping the family together, taking care of your health and more.

Medical Needs

Child Welfare Information Gateway: “Adoption and Guardianship Assistance by State”

This article answers the questions “Does your State provide additional finances or services for medical or therapeutic needs not covered under your State medical plan to children receiving adoption assistance?” It proceeds with a state by state breakdown of whether or not each state does.

Medical Needs

NCFA: “A Guide to Adoption Subsidies and Assistance for Adoptive Parents”

This article discusses subsidies that provide additional support for adoptees and their families. It explains what they are, who provides the, who is eligible, the process, and tips for the process.

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.

Resources