Life Style / Adoption Glossary

Abandonment: Desertion of a child by a parent or adult primary caregiver with no provisions for continued childcare nor with any apparent intention to return to resume caregiving.

Abuse and Neglect: Physical, sexual and/or emotional maltreatment. Child abuse and neglect is defined as any recent act or failure to act resulting in imminent risk of serious harm, death, serious physical or . . . View Full Definition

Access Veto Systems: Type of reunion registry system. The veto is a document filed by one party to the adoption which registers that person's refusal to be contacted or denial of release of identifying informati . . . View Full Definition

Active Registries: Reunion registries which do not require that both parties register their consent. Once one party is registered, a designated individual (often an agency or court representative) is assigned . . . View Full Definition

Adjudicatory Hearings: Held by the juvenile and family court to determine whether a child has been maltreated or whether another legal basis exists for the state to intervene to protect the child.

Adoptee: Any person who has been adopted.

Adoption: Legal process where parental rights are transferred from birth parents to adoptive parents.

Adoption Agency: Organization placing children in homes, under the jurisdiction of state or licensing laws.

Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA): Signed into law November 1997 and designed to improve the safety of children, to promote adoption and other permanent homes for children who need them and to support families. The law requir . . . View Full Definition

Adoption Assistance: Monthly or one-time only subsidy payments to help adoptive parents raise children with special needs. These payments were initially made possible by the enactment of the Adoption Assistance . . . View Full Definition

Adoption Assistance Programs (AAP): Federally funded state administered subsidy program for special needs children who might otherwise remain in longterm foster care.

Adoption Attorney: Lawyers who arrange adoptive placements and specialize in adoption.

Adoption Benefits: Compensation to workers through employer-sponsored programs. Some examples of such benefits are financial assistance or monetary reimbursement for the expenses of adopting a child, or provis . . . View Full Definition

Adoption Consultant: Anyone who helps with the placement of a child, but specifically someone who makes it his or her private business to facilitate adoptions.

Adoption Disruption: The interruption of an adoption prior to finalization - sometimes called a 'failed adoption' or a 'failed placement.'

Adoption Dissolution: The interruption or 'failure' of an adoption after finalization that requires court action.

Adoption Exchange: An organization which recruits adoptive families for children with special needs using print, radio, television and Internet recruitment, as well as matching parties (which bring together pr . . . View Full Definition

Adoption Facilitator: Unlicensed organizations or individuals offering adoption services, which is illegal in 20 states.

Adoption Insurance (adoption cancellation insurance): Insurance which protects against financial loss which can be incurred after a birth mother changes her mind and decides not to place her child for adoption.

Adoption Petition: The legal document through which prospective parents request the court's permission to adopt a specific child.

Adoption Placement: The point at which a child begins to live with prospective adoptive parents: the period before the adoption is finalized.

Adoption Plan: A plan created between a birth mother and a social worker specifying all aspects and desires with regards to an adoption.

Adoption Professional: Employee of a licensed adoption agency or a trained and educated adoption authority who has training and experiences in adoption services and authorized by the agency to provide adoption services.

Adoption Reversal: Reclaiming of a child (originally voluntarily placed with adoptive parents) by birth parent(s) who have had a subsequent change of heart. State laws vary in defining time limits and circumst . . . View Full Definition

Adoption Service Provider (ASP): A licensed agency or individual who is State certified to assist birth parents and adoptive parents with the placement of a child in an Independent Adoption.

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