More than 100,000 children and youth in the U.S. foster care system are awaiting permanent families. National Adoption Month is a time to raise awareness about the adoption of these children.

The Children’s Bureau, in partnership with AdoptUSKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway, sponsors the initiative each November as a way to focus public attention on the urgent need for adoptive families. More information: childwelfare.gov/adoption/nam

In recognition of the month, NASW offers the following resources:

• The NASW Foundation Social Work Policy Institute adoption page
• NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Child Welfare {http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/Child_Welfare.asp}
• NASW Press book, How to Screen Adoptive and Foster Parents: A Workbook for Professionals and Students
• The Children’s Bureau provides state and national data on adoption and foster care, child abuse and neglect, and child welfare. It also funds research in collaboration with other organizations