the attached analysis of the Model Act from Associated Catholic Charities of New Orleans.) Clearly HHS and the Panel need to take another look at the putative fathers section of any subsequent draft Act. Revocation of relinquishment, under Section 304, should be amended as the League's draft statement says so that any "revocation (should) occur within 14 days or . . . the child is placed for adoption, whichever occurs first." We believe that it is good practice to ensure that the parent's decision is final and that it is in the best interest of the child if the critical infant-parent bonding with the adoptive parents can begin as early in the infant's life as possible. Clearly, our remarks in this regard apply to infant adoption and to any subsequent and separate Model Act pertaining to infant adoption, not to the Model Act drafted to assist in the placement of hardto-place children. The League's draft statement says that "ultimately people are best served if all adoptions are made through social agencies" and then adds the comment that "in the meantime we want to safeguard independent adoptions." Personally, our agency endorses the basic League stance, as given in its standards, which call for adoption solely through agencies, and this is the approach which we hope is ultimately taken. With the League, I endorse the use of "family assessment practitioners" only if they "work under the license of an adoptive agency and its supervision." There are many other questions and comments we have on the Act, but I want to close with one plea to the Congress, to HHS, to the many advocates on every point of the spectrum: let's remember that adoption is a service to children and parents. Let's keep it out of politics. Adoption is not a matter to be captured by either the so-called liberals or the "Left" or the so-called conservatives or the "Right." Adoption, as with the field of family and children's services, is nonpartisan, nonpolitical and nonidealogical and so it should remain. Let us not, in our enthusiasm for change and for adaptation to changing mores, move in such a fashion that we will splinter that broad family of people from every political persuasion, from every part of this country, and who may disagree on a score of other items. Adoption laws and adoption practice need to be kept squarely in a nonpartisan and nonideological center-the center where so many of us, with our boards of volunteers representing all viewpoints have so long stood. I have a suggestion for HHS and Secretary Harris as well. Pull this Model Act back now and direct the panel to split off the portions that refer to the intent of Congress: adoption of hard-to-place children. Don't allow the controversies and passions to continue to build around this well-meaning but imperfect draft Model Act. Again, thank you Mr. Chairman and the other Subcommittee members. I would be pleased to respond to any questions you may have. CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE TESTIMONY ATTACHMENT I ADOPTION SERVICE A Ten Year Bibliography of CWLA Publications 1968 through 1978 Price $2.00 (A single complimentary copy is available to CWLA Member Agencies and Associate Agencies) Child Welfare League of America, Inc. 67 Irving Place New York, New York 10003 ADOPTION SERVICE NOTE: This bibliography (with two exceptions on page (6), is limited to I. Articles in Child Welfare 1968 1969 Adoption Resource Exchange. (Editor's Page). Clara J. Swan. January Question on Finding in Study of Independent Adoptions. (Readers' Forum). Trudy Bradley. April p. 236. Author's Reply. Howard Bluth. April p. 236. Placement of Newborns by Volunteers. Margaret Boothby. April p. 227. Permanent Placement of Negro Children Through Quasi-Adoption. Roberta G. Andrews. December P. 583. Self-Discovery Through Books. P. 603. William F. Elder and Hilda K. Limper. An Evaluation of the Interlocutory Decree of Adoption After 20 Years P. 38. The Case for Subsidized Adoptions. Harriet L. Goldberg and Llewellyn A Longitudinal Study of Emotional, Social, and Academic Functioning Feb Parents Relinquishing Rights to First-Born Legitimate Children. Adoption by Foster Parents. Albert J. Neely. March P. 163. Changing Practice in the Adoptive Home Study. Raymond Mondloh. I. M. A Parents Adoption League. Jean Selden and Josephine S. Gumbiner. 1970 1971 Part II - The The Adoption of Children with Medical Conditions: The Use of Adoptive Subsidies. Katharine B. Wheeler. November P. 557. The Adoption of Children with Medical Conditions: Part III December P. 595. Adoption Facilitating Service: A Method of Strengthening and Ex- Transracial Adoptions: Philosophy and Practice. Marion M. Mitchell. A Comparative Study of Transracial and Inracial Adoptions. Laurence Recruiting Adoptive Homes for Minority Children--One Approach. A Demonstration in Fee Charging. Marjorie A. Connors. May p. 280. Willingness to Adopt A typical Children. Donald E. Chambers. May The Family Romance Fantasy in Children Adopted in Infancy. Edward Adoptive Placement of the Older Child. Regina Chema, Loretta Farley, Postadoption Counseling: A Professional Obligation. Elizabeth A. Maryland's Program of Subsidized Adoptions. Mary Polk. December P. 581. Subsidized Adoption in New York: Angela Gentile. December P. 576. How Law Works and Some Problems. Development of a Black Voluntary Social Agency In a Black Community. Joseph H. Smith. January P. 33. Medical Genetics and Adoption. January P. 4. Amelia L. Schultz and Arno G. Motulsky. 1972 1973 Homes for Black Children. Clarence D. Fischer. February P. 108. When is Subsidized Adoption Preferable to Long-Term Foster Care? Unwed Mothers and Their Decisions to Keep or Surrender Children. Attitude of Black Natural Parents Regarding Adoption. Mary Lou Sharrar. How Parents Tell Their Children They Are Adopted. Franz Rohr. May Realizing the Potential in Adoptions. Povl W. Toussieng. June P. 322. Adoption Trends: 1969-1970. Lucille J. Grow and Michael J. Smith. Adoption Trends: January-June 1971. Michael J. Smith. November P. 510. Adoption Law Strengthened in Oregon. Charles B. Olds. January p. 38. On Transracial Adoption of Black Children. Subsidized Adoption: A Crucial Investment. Edmond D. Jones. March Kenneth W. Watson. Adoption: Indentification and Service. Mary M. O'Neill. May P. 314. Expanding the Rights of Children in Custody and Adoption Cases. A Positive Approach in Evaluating Potential Adoptive Families and Adoptions in the First Half of 1972. Michael J. Smith. November The Group Adoptive Study. Vernon R. Wiehe. December p. 645. The Group Method in Adoption of Children With Special Needs. Hans |