BBC News – Several nations aim to speed up pending Haiti adoptions

The US and the Netherlands are aiming to speed up the process to allow dozens of Haitian orphans to join adoptive families as quickly as possible.

Adoption ceremony puts 80 children with families – San Jose Mercury News

LAS VEGAS—An official says more than 80 children officially became members of adopted families during ceremonies marking National Adoption Day in Las Vegas.

November 2009 is National Adoption Month

There are 130,000 children and youth waiting to be adopted. National Adoption Month urges Americans to “Answer the Call” to adopt children and youth from foster care.

Adoptions of foster care kids up in Florida – Florida AP – MiamiHerald.com

Although there were a record number of adoptions in Florida last year, there are still problems.

Gov. Charlie Crist met with a handful of adoptive parents Wednesday at the governor’s mansion where a Wakulla County couple outlined their concerns about the number of children in foster care who are overmedicated.

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Awards $7.75 Million in 2009 Grants – MarketWatch

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption announced today a total of $7,750,000 United States grants issued this year, including $7,223,000 from Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the Foundation’s signature program. In addition, $594,700 was awarded to Wendy’s Wonderful Kids grantees in Canada. The remaining $480,000 in U.S. grants provided critical funds to qualified national organizations aggressively working to move children from foster care into safe, nurturing and permanent adoptive homes.

Foster-care adoptions on the rise – UPI.com

Experts say a growing number of U.S. residents are turning to foster-care adoptions in lieu of more expensive private adoptions.

More older adults adopt older kids

Caseworkers sifting through adoption applications are seeing a surprising trend: older couples looking to adopt school-age children, not the babies that many others so desperately want.