Older children face limited opportunities for adoption.

National Adoption Day: A Call to Action for Older Children and Those with Special Needs

This Saturday, families across the nation will come together to celebrate National Adoption Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the thousands of children in foster care eagerly awaiting a permanent home. Unfortunately, a significant number of these children—especially those who are older or have special needs—face considerable hurdles in finding loving adoptive families.

A Stark Reality

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are currently over 113,000 children in foster care who are eligible for adoption. Alarmingly, around 4,000 of those children reside in Maryland alone. This statistic sheds light on the difficult reality that many of these children enter the foster care system due to neglect, and more than half of the children in this situation are fighting an uphill battle when it comes to finding a forever family.

The call for awareness is especially crucial for older children, a demographic often overlooked during the adoption process. Saara McEachnie, director of domestic adoption programs at the Barker Adoption Foundation, oversees the program known as “Project Wait No Longer.” This initiative focuses on locating loving homes for children in need, particularly those who are older, part of sibling groups, or have special needs.

Tackling the Stigma

One of the challenges McEachnie highlights is a prevalent stigma surrounding older children in the foster care system. Many families looking to adopt tend to prefer younger children, often feeling more comfortable and prepared to adopt babies or toddlers. This leaves older children, who are desperate for family connections, in a vulnerable position.

“Families that are seeking to adopt are most often feeling most comfortable adopting younger children,” explains McEachnie. “That leaves fewer options for our older kiddos, who are very much in need of family, and we have few families that are stepping forward.”

Understanding the Challenges

For many of these older children, adjusting to a new family can be an uphill battle. After being removed from their birth families, these children often struggle with attachment and forming bonds with new caregivers. McEachnie emphasizes the importance of educating prospective adoptive parents on the unique challenges that come with adopting older children.

Creating what she calls an “attachment-friendly home” is crucial to the adoption process. This involves educating families about the kind of trauma these children experience and understanding the potential attachment difficulties. McEachnie strongly advocates for building a community among adoptive families, fostering an environment of support and shared experience.

Making Homes More Attachment-Friendly

So how can potential adoptive families transform their homes into more welcoming spaces for older children? According to McEachnie, it starts with empathy, understanding, and a willingness to adapt. “Building an attachment-friendly home first has to come from a place of understanding, empathy, and flexibility,” she explains. Families must also be open to seeking resources and support to help them navigate the complexities of adopting an older child.

Creating networks among adoptive families can significantly benefit both the child and the family. By interacting with other families who are at various stages of the adoption journey, parents can gain insights and tips that will help them make their homes a safe haven for their new children.

A Day of Hope and Awareness

National Adoption Day was launched in 1999 by a collaborative effort of national organizations like the Children’s Action Network and the Alliance for Children’s Rights. While it is a day of celebration, it is also a call to action—a reminder that many children remain in foster care, hoping for families who will provide them the love, stability, and support they need to thrive.

As we observe this important day, let’s take a moment to educate ourselves about the challenges faced by older children and those with special needs in the foster care system. By advocating for their needs, supporting initiatives like Project Wait No Longer, and sharing this message with friends and family, we can help bring attention to the plight of these deserving young ones.

Adoption can be a transformative experience, not just for the children involved but also for the families who open their hearts and homes. Together, we can make a difference and help ensure that every child finds a place they can truly call home.

So let’s make this National Adoption Day not just a day of awareness but a day of action. Consider how you might be able to help these children find the loving families they so desperately need.