Celebrating National Adoption Month: Supporting Older Children in Foster Care

National Adoption Day is a significant moment during National Adoption Month to highlight the pressing need for adoptive families, especially for older children, sibling groups, and those with specialized needs. Across the United States, over 110,000 children in foster care are up for adoption and waiting for adoptive families. The Barker Adoption foundation is an Adoption Agency licensed in DC, MD and VA.

At The Barker Adoption Foundation, we are committed to addressing this critical need through programs like Project Wait No Longer, led by our Director of Domestic Adoption Programs, Saara McEachnie. This initiative focuses on finding loving, lifelong families for children who face the greatest challenges in adoption, including teens who are among the most vulnerable. Saara McEachnie interviewed with Maryland News Connection to highlight the importance of older child adoption. 

Listen to the full interview here.

"Families that are seeking to adopt often feel most comfortable and prepared to adopt younger children," said McEachnie. "This leaves fewer options for our older kiddos, who are very much in need of family, and we have few families stepping forward."

The challenges older children face in adoption often stem from complex trauma and attachment struggles after being removed from their birth families. McEachnie emphasized the importance of educating and preparing prospective parents to create what she calls "attachment-friendly" homes. At Barker, we offer adoption trainings and adoption workshops through our Pre-Adoption Training (NTDC). Sign up for our next cohort here! 

The process starts with understanding the unique needs of older children and teens. Empathy, flexibility, and a willingness to access resources are essential for families to navigate the complexities of adoption successfully. Additionally, creating supportive networks of adoptive families can help children feel connected and supported within their new communities. 

"Building an attachment-friendly home first has to come from a place of understanding," McEachnie explains. "It's about fostering empathy, being flexible, and continuing to educate oneself on how to best support children with complex histories."

As we observe National Adoption Month, The Barker Adoption Foundation celebrates the courage of adoptive families and the resilience of children in foster care. We also reaffirm our commitment to helping every child connect to the possibilities that come with having a loving and permanent family. 

For those interested in learning more about adoption, including adopting older children, sibling groups, and/or children with specialized needs, we invite you to explore our adoption workshops, adoption trainings, and resources. You may also feel free to book a complimentary call with our Outreach Specialist, Tenisha Lusane, by clicking here. 

Lets make sure that no child waits too long for a permanent family.