Waiting Child Heart Gallery of Oklahoma

Links

	Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 150,000 children waiting in North America's foster care systems. As the only foundation dedicated exclusively to foster care adoption, we are driven by Dave's simple value: Do what's best for the child.

	"Stronger Families Grow Brighter Futures" Oklahoma Department of Human Services can answer all of your questions reguarding adoption and foster care here in Oklahoma.

	Newschannel 8 has aired its weekly "Waiting Child" program since 1980. The children featured are in permanent custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and are looking for adoptive homes. Since its inception, more than 4,000 children have been adopted as a result of the program. "Waiting Child" is aired weekly, Wednesdays, on Newschannel 8 at 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays on Newschannel 8 at 10 p.m.

	The Heart Gallery of America is a collaborative project of over 120 Heart Galleries across the United States (and growing) designed to increase the number of adoptive families for children needing homes in our community. Now, in its eighth year, The Heart Gallery model is being replicated in many communities across the country.

The following links are provided so you can get more information about how you can change a child's life. These links are not explicitly endorsed by the Heart Gallery of Oklahoma. Information gathered from the Internet is maintained by the people and organizations it relates to. Before relying on the material, users should independently verify its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for their purposes, and should obtain any appropriate legal and professional advice. General Adoption Information Adopting.com http://www.adopting.com Resources for prospective adoptive parents: How to get started, links to agencies, facilitators and attorneys, letters from birthparents, support groups and legal information. Also includes a photolisting of waiting children. Adopting.org http://www.adopting.org Contains a wide variety of adoption topics and resources. Adoption Information http://adoption.about.com Contains articles and tips for those considering adoption and for those who already have adopted. Adoption.com http://www.adoption.com Contains a wide variety of adoption topics and resources. Adoption.org http://www.adoption.org Contains a wide variety of adoption topics and resources. Adoptive Families Magazine http://www.adoptivefamilies.com Publication focusing on adoptive and prospective adoptive families. All Children - All Families Initiative http://www.hrc.org/issues/8399.htm An initiative of the Human Rights Campaign to educate and engage the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community in foster and adoptive parenting and to promote policies that welcome GLBT prospective parents. Child Welfare Information Gateway http://www.childwelfare.gov A comprehensive resource on all aspects of adoption. Foster Family to Forever Family http://www.adopt.org/assembled/overview_courses.html Developed by the National Adoption Center, "Foster Family to Forever Family" is the first course in "The Adoption Roadmap" online training series. Relevant for all prospective adoptive parents, adoption professionals and other professionals working with adoptive families and children. North American Council on Adoptable Children http://www.nacac.org NACAC's Adoption Subsidy Resource Center provides general information on how each state operates their Title IV-E Adoption Assistance program. Foster Care Adoption Adopt America Network http://www.adoptamericanetwork.org Adopt America Network places special needs children into permanent homes through a network of adoption specialists. Contains a sample of children seeking adoptive homes and an online application to receive more information. Adopt US Kids http://www.adoptuskids.org AdoptUSKids.org is dedicated to finding permanent, loving adoptive families for the thousands of U.S. children who are currently waiting in foster care. This site, launched in 2002, is funded by the U.S. government. Adoption Benefits Adoption Policy Resource Center http://www.fpsol.com/adoption/advocates.html Adoption Subsidy Advocates provides free initial consultation and related policy information to adoptive families, attorneys, advocates and agency professionals. National Center for Adoption Law and Policy http://www.law.capital.edu/adoption The National Center for Adoption Law & Policy seeks to improve the law, policies and practices associated with child protection and adoption systems. Financial Assistance A Child Waits Foundation http://www.achildwaits.org A Child Waits Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation formed in 1998 to reduce the number of children not adopted from international orphanages because prospective parents lack the savings to pay for the cost of adoption. Eligibility to receive a loan is based on financial need and each case is judged individually. For further information, please call (866) 999-2445. Bank of America http://www.bankofamerica.com Bank of America offers unsecured loans specifically designed for adoptive parents. Bank of America may be contacted at(888)457-2543 to speak to a specialist. Gift of Adoption Fund http://www.giftofadoption.org A non-profit foundation that helps families overcome some of the initial financial burdens of adoption (home study, legal fees, etc.). Call (847) 205-2789 for more information. HelpUsAdopt.org http://www.helpusadopt.org/ HelpUsAdopt.org is a national non-profit 501 (c)3 financial assistance grant program that will provide qualified couples and individuals (regardless of race, religion, marital status or sexual preference) with grants of up to $15,000 towards their adoption expenses. Show Hope (Shaohannah's Hope) http://www.showhope.org Show Hope, formerly known as Shaohannah's Hope, awards financial grants to qualified families already in the process of domestic and international adoption. The National Adoption Foundation http://www.nafadopt.org The National Adoption Foundation offers an Adoption Assistance Loan designed to help adoptive families take care of the finances necessary to adopt and raise a child. This includes adoption costs, legal fees, medical services, travel expenses, education costs, home improvements or the everyday cost of raising a family. Grants are only available to families for the actual cost of the adoption. For more information, please call (203) 791-3811. The Orphan Foundation http://www.TheOrphanFoundation.org The Orphan Foundation's primary mission is to help eliminate or minimize the financial barriers to adoption by providing grants of $1,000 for each child adopted, and $1,500 for each "special needs" adoption. Grants are subject to funding availability, the basis of need, completion of a homestudy, and other factors shown in the application. To apply for these grants, you may go to the website and click on the link that says "Grant Application." For further information, call (805) 823-3552 or visit the website. WACAP - World Association for Children and Parents http://www.wacap.org WACAP believes that financial concerns should not prevent qualified families from adopting children. They have set up special funds and programs to help parents cover the costs of certain adoptions.