Race and culture is often ignored in foster care and adoption

The NYTimes.com reports on a federal law that ignores race and culture in foster care and adoptions.

The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute – a nonprofit adoption advocacy and research organization based in New York – examined the law’s impact over a decade, and found that children of color, adopted into white households, face special challenges – and that white parents require training to ensure the well-being of the kids.

Because of the research data, the report “recommends that the law – the Multiethnic Placement Act, which covers agencies receiving federal dollars and promotes a color-blind approach, be amended to permit agencies to consider race and culture as one of many factors when selecting parents for children from foster care.”

The report is endorsed by several child welfare organizations – including the Child Welfare League of America, the Adoption Exchange Association, the National Association of Black Social Workers, Voice for Adoption and the Foster Care Alumni of America.