Before the age of the internet, adoption agencies used to employ something called “Blue Books” which were huge 3” binders for photos and brief descriptions of kids who were free for adoption in your area. Now, with internet photolistings, we can view dozens of photos and profiles with just one click. A photolisting is a web page that shows photos of children who are looking for an adoptive family. These children/youths are usually older, are in sibling groups, or have physical or developmental disparities. Adoption agencies list these children with a court-ordered release.

The Photo

The photo is your first connection to a child.

You can tell a lot about a child through one simple photo: the eyes, the smile, the way the child is groomed and presents himself. If an adoption agency is creative enough, they will use a variety of different backgrounds with the children engaging in a variety of different activities. The photo is supposed to draw you in and spurs your imagination so that you make an emotional connection. This will lead you to the second step.

The Profile

The profile is a short bio on the child. It presents only basic information on the child. An adoption agency does not put any information about birth families on the website, and only minimal information about the child to protect everyone’s privacy. There is enough info in the profile to start a mental file on the child, including: first name, ages, strengths, and talents, whether they are legally free for adoption, and any disqualifying information such as, “should be the youngest child in the home” or “should be placed in a two-parent home.” Finally, there is contact information that should be followed up on by the family’s social worker.

The Follow Up

This is the most important step in the photolisting. If interested, the family’s social worker contacts the child’s social worker for more information. These social workers then exchange the family’s home study and the child’s personal information. The child’s social worker peruses the home study to ensure the family can meet the needs of the child. The family, with the assistance of their social worker, reviews the child’s information to make sure there are no red flags. If both parties agree to proceed, then next steps are chosen, which differ from state to state, county to county.

An adoption photolisting search can be fun. It can also be frustrating if there are unrealistic expectations. But with the right guidance, and with the correct information disclosed upfront, this process can turn from a simple photo to a placement in a forever family for a child.

The post How Adoption Agencies Use Photolistings appeared first on Adoption Photolisting | Foster Waiting Child, Sibling.

So why use a photolisting website?

1. A visual connection with the child

There is something about the visual that connects us to people. That’s why Facebook and Match.com have been such a success! We, as humans, are more drawn to people if we can see their faces or see them in their natural environment. A photolisting is your first connection to a child that you wish to adopt. You can tell a lot about a child through one simple photo: the eyes, the smile. If an adoption agency is creative enough, they will use a variety of different backgrounds with the children engaging in a variety of different activities. The photo is supposed to help you get an idea of what the child likes or dislikes and may give you a taste of his or her personality.  

2. Taking the next step

After you narrow down the 2-3 children or sibling groups that you are interested in, the next step is finding out more about the child. Photolisting web pages only provide a small profile on the child such as what the child likes to eat, what extracurricular activities he or she enjoys, etc. You will need more detailed information and will need to ask questions like the following: what are his special needs? Will she do well with younger children in the home? Does he have behaviors that you need to be aware of? Was there any prior abuse or neglect? This information will not be listed in the profile. You will need to contact the child’s social worker for more detailed information. Your adoption agency or your attorney can assist in this area. Click here for a list of agencies and attorneys by state.

3. A good way to promote your own family

Lastly, a photolisting website is a great way to promote your own family! If it is a good website, they will help you create your own Parent Profile. On your page, you can post family photos, videos, and a short profile of your family. The purpose of promoting your family is to give the birth mother the power to be actively involved in placing her child in the family of her choice. This is incredibly empowering and takes away the fear of “giving up” a child to a total stranger. That barrier is removed with Parent Profiles.

A photolisting search can be fun. It can also be frustrating if there are unrealistic expectations.  But with the right guidance and with the correct information disclosed upfront, this process can turn from a simple photo to a placement in a forever family for a child.

The post 3 Reasons You Should Use a Photolisting Site appeared first on Adoption Photolisting | Foster Waiting Child, Sibling.