ADOPTION-RELATED COUNSELING SERVICES IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA: A NEEDS ASSESSMENT

More children previously thought unadoptable are being adopted. "Special needs" children can be successfully placed, but the process requires careful guidance. Twelve key informants were interviewed to produce information on adoption agencies in the Tampa Bay area. Questionnaires were administered to 132 providers and consumers of adoption counseling services, including foster, prospective and adoptive parents, adoptees, and various professional support personnel. The questionnaire concerned vital statistics, rating and ranking of counseling services, assessment of need for expanding existing services or creating new ones, and comments. Findings suggest that there is a need for expansion of counseling services. Shortages of staff, time, and funds place limitations on the amount and quality of counseling services provided.