Question re: Photolists and Heart Galleries

Hi, Really quick question. Are the children listed on the different heart galleries and state photolists the only one that can be adopted? I seem to recall someone saying that what's on the photolists are just a portion of the children available...is that true? Thanks in advance!

Children are on photolists because they have reached the point of needing to be adopted and no possible adoptive family has been identified. This can be for many reasons, Their foster family was foster onlyThey have tough behaviorsThey are part of a sibling groupthey are older (by older read over 6)A family had been idenitified but then backed out for some reason (could be an issue with the fit or maybe they had a family emergency happen, or got pregnant, or had a death, or a job loss, or moved across the country)Also High special needsThis of course does no encompass all the possibilities but does give you a good idea. Kids only end up on the photo list if they have been/are being TPR's and no one has been identified as permanent family for them yet.

Thanks for the information! I really appreciate it!

Where I am, they will usually go through a lot to identify an adoptive resource before a child goes on a photo listing. Caseworkers will search through any local foster families when they cease reunification efforts (this is several months prior to TPR) with the idea to move the child sooner than later, and have the child integrated into the family that has been identified prior to TPR. They may look state wide as well. so, there are children for whom the state is seeking an adoptive family, but they are not legally free for adoption.

In general, photolistings are used for hard to place children -- children who are of school age (especially boys over age 10), children who have moderate to severe special needs, and sibling groups of three or more children (usually with at least one child of school age or with special needs). This is true whether you are adopting domestically through an agency, domestically from foster care, or internationally.Newborns, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are healthy or have relatively minor health issues do not need to be photolisted. Agencies and states tend to have long lists of homestudy-ready families who want to adopt them.Forget about infant twins or other multiples who are young and fairly healthy. Multiple births are fairly rare in any population, and the likelihood that these children will be relinquished for adoption is very low, unless they have significant special needs.If you see photolistings purporting to show healthy infants available for adoption, be suspicious. There are some disreputable organizations that use such ads as a sort of bait-and-switch campaign. They know how many people want healthy infants, so they show particularly attractive ones, who are NOT currently available, on their website. Then, when you call to inquire about one of them, they say, "Oh, gee, we JUST matched that child with a family, but we have many other wonderful children to adopt. We would be happy to work with you if you send us a deposit of $___. " Only, when you send that deposit, and the agency starts to work with you, you discover that the children they actually have available are older, have special needs, or must be adopted with several older siblings.And ALWAYS be suspicious if an agency says, "We've had a lot of calls about that child, but no one has sent in a deposit yet, so that we can begin working with that family. If you send in a deposit immediately, there's a good chance that we will be able to place that child with you. But you do need to hurry." Good agencies don't work that way. They don't use money as the driving force in selecting a family for a child. And they don't pressure you to act immediately, because they know that a family needs time to decide, after hearing all the details, whether a child is a good fit for them. Before sending any money, check out the agency that is photolisting the child. As far as state agencies go, one thing that often happens is that a child is listed as healthy or as having only minor issues, when he/she actually has some problems that you may not be able to handle -- for example, a history of being sexually abused and now trying to molest others, a fetal alcohol spectrum diagnosis, fairly severe RAD, a birthmother with schizophrenia, etc. The agency may or may not know of the problems. In some cases, the state social workers are so overburdened that they don't have the time to visit the foster care provider often enough to get detailed information about the child and how he/she is adjusting. They also may not have reviewed the records enough to be concerned that the child had five placements, with each one being ended by the foster family because the child was threatening other kids in the home, or running away, or flying into rages during which he physically attacked the foster parents. Always ask for as detailed information as you can get, and try to interview the foster care provider, if you can. Remember that photolistings show you only what a child looks like, and contain only a few brief remarks about him/her. The child with the ugliest photo may actually be the child who has the best chance of doing well in your family, and who is actually pretty darn cute. And some of the cutest kids I've ever seen on a photolisting were those with significant prenatal exposures to alcohol who would definitely have some intellectual or behavioral issues.Sharon

Sharon, WOW!!! You ROCK!!! That answer was extremely helpful! I will definitely be on the lookout for any suspicious organization pressuring me for a deposit. Thanks to everyone for everyone who has taken the time to respond.

Great info! Here in Arkansas, it's hard to believe there's only 5 pages of kiddos that need a home.

Joseph, There are probably more than 5 pages, sadly. As several people commented before, the kids in photolistings are often the ones who are more difficult to place . . . they're older, part of a sibling group, have behavior issues, been given a tough diagnosis, etc.