Adopt: Ask Our Expert: Graham Wright

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Pre-Adoptive and Adoptive Parent Issues

Graham Wright has twenty-six years in the adoption field as an agency director, advocate, former adoption psychotherapist for children and families. He has written adoption legislation, developed programs and given workshops around the country. He is currently executive director of a non-profit agency and president of California Association of Adoption Agencies.

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Graham Wright is available for private consultation also.

I have a question for Graham

Question from Social Work Student
I am a social work student in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. I am trying to find information on the role of social workers within the adoption process. I realize these roles vary drastically but some direction would be welcome. I personally would like to specialize in adoption but I don't know if that's possible or better yet allowed to due to the fact that I am adopted as well. Any info. you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Response from Graham:
Being adopted is not only a qualification for adoption work, it's an asset. BUT as anything else in social work, knowing ALL of your own issues related to your experience is essential. Otherwise the good old transference/counter-transference bugabears will get you, and your clients.

Most people stumble into adoption work - or get assigned there. It used to be known as the "easy caseload assignment" but now the critical nature of the work, and the emphasis on output, makes it an arena for workers with fast and accurate assessment skills, the ability to assess lifelong risk factors, and the testicular fortutude (a nonsexist term) to make a lifelong decision on behalf of a child and two families!

Find some adoption workers to talk with.
Visit our association site at www.california-adoption.org .
Share your adoption experience with other social workers, and anyone you chose to work with.

Remember that every adoption may be different. Highs and lows, apparent tragedies or calm and happy childhoods. The true test is the outcome for the adopted person as an adult. Tell them you know that adoiption is an ongoing process and not an event and you'll be fine. Hope this helps.
Graham.
Adoption Consultants.

Bankruptcy Question?
My husband and I have been talking lately about adoption. We both have a good steady jobs with good incomes and beautiful new house. The problem is that 3 years ago we had a failed business which force us to bankruptcy. Can you still about? I will think more carefully if the possibility is YES.

Response from Graham:
Here's the good news! Bancruptcy should not stand in your way. The only concern of a licensed agency, or the court in an independent adoption, is whether you have sufficient resources to be able to care for a child permanently. Agencies are more concerned about your emotional ability than what you own or owe, unless you are felt to be in financial trouble.A lengthy history of financial mismanagement could be a warning sign of instability, which would be further evaluated, but a bancruptcy on it's own is unlikely to effect you. On the other hand, if you are hoping to be selected by a birth parent, and are asked specifically if you have ever been bancrupt, the birth parent may not want to take the risk. Hope this helps.
Adoption Consultants.

Homestudy Question in California
My wife and I adopted our second child from the same birth father and mother. Our daughter is 11 1/2 mos younger than our son. The home study for our daughter was started 6 mos after the completion of our son's home study. We are ready to finalize the adoption, but the County of SD wants to charge us the full $1250 fee for the second study. They say that the fee is mandated by the State of California. Our attorney has been no help. Anyone have a similar experience? At the least, we'd like to know who to appeal to at the State level.

Response from Graham:
Hello,
I'm afraid the fee is set by law, and it is probably impossible to get an exception without passing a new law. Even your local legislators may not be able to help. If it makes you feel better, it costs a whole lot more than $1,250 to do even the very minimal "home study" required for independent adoptions. It might also make you feel better to know that your fee could be helping thousands upon thousands of older children who need adoption service in the State. How great to be able to keep your siblings together. We wish you all well.
Adoption Consultants.

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