For Adoptive Parents

Adoption Policy Resource Center
http://www.fpsol.com/adoption/advocates.html
Source of information about adoption subsidy policy and procedure.

Adoptive Families Together
http://www.adoptivefamilies.org
AFT is a network of adoptive families founded in Massachusetts. This website includes information about their services and resources as well as a moderated online group that provides parents with a 24-hour support forum, focusing on children with challenging behaviors and complex needs.

National Adoption Information Clearinghouse
http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm
The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse has information on all aspects of adoption. For example, you can access a database of adoption experts, a listing of adoption agencies in each state, and materials about how to search for birth relatives.

National Adoption Center’s Learning Center
http://www.adoptnet.org
The Learning Center offers over 20 moderated chats each month, educational resources, a message board, and a book club featuring online chats with guest authors of adoption and parenting books.

North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
http://www.nacac.org
This site contains information on adopting a child through the foster care system, post-adoption services, adoption subsidy, national adoption month, and adoption-related conferences and resources.

Vermont Adoption Registry
http://www.dcf.state.vt.us/fsd/registry.html
The Vermont Adoption Registry serves as the central contact for information about adoptions that have taken place in Vermont and, in some cases, acts as an intermediary between adoptees and their birth families.

For Foster Parents

FosterClub for Grownups
http://www.fosterclub.com/grownups/
This website is designed for the adults who care for foster children. Caseworkers, independent living providers, advocates, and foster parents will find resources, tools, and articles that will inspire productive and creative ways to work and communicate with foster youth of all ages.

Foster Parent College
http://www.fosterparentcollege.com/
Online training designed for the parents of foster, adopted, and kinship care children. Topics include issues such as lying, sleep problems, eating disorders, sexualized behavior, and running away. Cost is $8 per course.

National Foster Parent Association
http://www.nfpainc.org/index.cfm
The National Foster Parent Association is the only national organization which strives to support foster parents, and remains a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children.

For All Parents

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
http://www.aacap.org/publications/
This website contains concise, up-to-date information on various issues that affect children, teens, and their families, including abuse, adoption, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, adolescent development, depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

ATTACh (Association for Training and Treatment in the Attachment of Children)
http://www.attach.org/
ATTACH is an international coalition of professionals and families dedicated to helping families deal with attachment and bonding issues. This website includes information about attachment and attachment difficulties as well as related research, resources, and links.

Child Trauma Academy
http://www.childtraumaacademy.com/
This site offers free online courses that offer creative and practical approaches to understanding and working with maltreated children, including a new one called Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children.

Parent to Parent of Vermont
http://www.partoparvt.org/
A statewide organization that helps families with children who have special needs find support from other parents, healthcare professionals, and the communities in which they live.

Vermont Parent Information Center (VPIC)
http://www.vtpic.com/
VPIC is a statewide network of support and information for families who have a child with special needs or disabilities and the professionals who work with them.

United Way GET INFO
http://www.vermont211.org/
A referral program that can link callers to government programs, community-based organizations, support groups, and other resources in Vermont. You can also call 1-866-652-4636 toll-free in VT.

for Youth

FosterClub
http://fosterclub.com/index.cfm
The national network for youth in foster care. This website is a hub of information relating to foster care, including articles, questions and answers, message boards, contests, discussion of foster care topics, and even biographies of famous people who grew up in care. It’s the resource that's available to youth 24/7.

FYI3
http://www.fyi3.com/fyi3/index.cfm
A website designed for youth preparing to transition out of foster care. It's packed with resources, success stories, scholarship opportunities, discussion forums, youth boards, advocacy, and legislation information. FYI3 stands for foster youth informed + involved + independent.

National Adoption Center’s Adoption Clubhouse
http://www.adoptionclubhouse.org
A new website for young people ages 8 to 12.

Outright Vermont
http://www.outrightvt.org
Statewide organization that offers support and resources to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youths. This website also provides all of Outright’s events, programs, and resources.

TeenGrowth
http://www.teengrowth.com
An interactive website that offers teens a secure environment to search for, request, and receive valuable health-care information on topics such as alcohol, drugs, emotions, health, family, friends, school, sex, and sports.

teenwire
http://www.teenwire.com
Sponsored by Planned Parenthood, teenwire.com is the leading website for teens who need information about sexual health. The site includes information about sex, sexuality, sexually transmitted infections, self-esteem, body image, and drugs and alcohol, as well as relationship advice.

Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC)
http://www.vsac.org
VSAC is a public nonprofit agency that helps Vermonters who want to go to college or training programs after high school. This site includes information that will help you plan, save, and pay for college.