By Joni S. Mantell, L.C.S.W.  For many, the decision to pursue adoption comes after years of struggling with infertility. Letting go of the dream for a biological child and embracing your deepest wish - to become a parent - usually involves some emotional work, your own and also ...

by Rita Soronen, President & CEO, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Unadoptable. This is a word that I have heard attributed to some children in the foster care system, but this way of thinking is unacceptable. No child is too old, too much trouble or too sick to be denied what we believe ...

by Andrea Braverman, Ph.D. When is enough, enough?  This question creeps in at different moments as you pursue infertility treatment.  Enough is a judgment that is weighed individually but has common thoughts and feelings.  For many, the point of Enough is reached when treatment ...

Yesterday, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption announced the fifth annual 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list recognizing organizations nationwide for their adoption benefits. The Wendy's Company is No. 1 on this year's list, with a combination of up to $24,300 in adoption assistance ...

By Carolyn Berger, LCSW, with Lisa Schuman, LCSW The blended family, one that’s created through birth and adoption, has been a part of the adoption landscape for a long time.  There are different types of blended families—those where an adopted child is the first child and those ...

by Corey Whelan The decision to move on from In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to a donor egg IVF cycle is a very personal one.  You may see your funds running out, with no clear understanding of why IVF is not working for you.  Some women in this situation may have gone through three cycles ...

By Carolyn N. Berger, LCSW The first thing you notice when looking through the literature on birthfathers is how little there actually is.  When we think about the “adoption triangle,” those people who play pivotal roles in an adoption, we are generally talking about the child, ...

By Ellen Glazer, LICSW, AFA Mental Health Advisory Council  Words are powerful. Anyone who has ever had a friend or family member adopt a child knows how important it is to use what is commonly known as  “Positive Adoption Language.”  Adoptive parents bristle if you say ...

by Carolyn Berger, L.C.S.W.  Father’s Day is fast approaching and with it comes quick trips to the stationery store to find the perfect card for Dad.   This year I’ve been reading and thinking about the role of birth fathers a lot and have been heartened to find an ...

by Bob Bamman, LCSW When I was asked by The AFA to author a blog in recognition of National Men’s Health Month I immediately thought what a wonderful idea – to reach out, during this month that promotes male physical and mental health, to men who are experiencing within their ...