The Barker Adoption Foundation

PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT RELATING TO THE PLACEMENT FOR ADOPTION AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN.

FAMILY AND POST ADOPTION SERVICES: ONE OF THE BARKER ADOPTION FOUNDATION'S HALLMARKS IS ITS COMMITMENT TO POST-ADOPTION SERVICES. OUR SERVICES DO NOT END WHEN A CHILD IS PLACED WITH A FAMILY, FOR WE RECOGNIZE THAT ADOPTION IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY, WITH NORMAL DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES AND TASKS. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE BARKER COUNSELING GROUP, WHICH PROVIDES ADOPTION SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. BARKER IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THESE SUPPORTS AND EDUCATION TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE ADOPTION CIRCLE: ADOPTED PERSONS, BIRTH PARENTS, AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION

DOMESTIC PROGRAM: BARKER'S LICENSED SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDE FREE, COMPASSIONATE, UNBIASED COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO WOMEN FACING UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES, THEIR PARTNERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. WHETHER A WOMAN CHOOSES TO MAKE AN ADOPTION PLAN OR DECIDES TO PARENT, BARKER PROVIDES VITAL SERVICES TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER AND BABY BY COORDINATING PROPER MEDICAL AND PRENATAL CARE, SECURING HOUSING RESOURCES, FOOD, AND OTHER ANCILLARY SERVICES. BARKER HAS A "CRADLE CARE" PROGRAM WHERE TRAINED FOSTER PARENTS PROVIDE LOVE AND NURTURING TEMPORARY CARE FOR THE BABY WHILE THE BIRTH PARENTS TAKE THE TIME NECESSARY TO DECIDE TO PARENT OR PLACE THE BABY FOR ADOPTION. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM: THE BARKER INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION HAGUE ACCREDITED PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES FOR THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. BARKER CURRENTLY HAS ADOPTION PROGRAMS IN CHINA, INDIA AND SOUTH KOREA. WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE GREATER WASHINGTON DC AREA, BARKER FINDS PERMANENT LOVING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY FOR CHILDREN IN NEED, INCLUDING OLDER CHILDREN AND CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE AGENCY ALSO PROVIDES HOME STUDIES AND POST PLACEMENT/ADOPTION SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE WORKING WITH PARTNER AGENCIES TO ADOPT CHILDREN FROM COUNTRIES WHERE BARKER DOES NOT HAVE PROGRAMS.

PROJECT WAIT NO LONGER ("PWNL"): BARKER BEGAN PWNL TO RECRUIT, TRAIN, AND SUPPORT ADOPTIVE FAMILIES FOR OLDER CHILDREN IN THE US FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. THESE CHILDREN, WHO ARE TYPICALLY BETWEEN THE AGES 10-17 YEARS OLD OR ARE PART OF LARGE SIBLING GROUP, HAVE OFTEN EXPERIENCED NEGLECT, ABUSE, AND THE TRAUMA OF LIVING IN MULTIPLE, TRANSITIONAL HOMES. THESE ARE THE CHILDREN WHO ARE THE MOST DIFFICULT TO PLACE, BUT WHO HAVE THE GREATEST NEEDS. OFTEN THE CHILDREN HAVE BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES, LEARNING ISSUES, AND/OR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS, REQUIRING A SPECIAL COMMITMENT FROM THE PARENTS WHO ADOPT THEM. PWNL PROVIDES SUPPORT GROUPS, WRAP AROUND SERVICES, AND LIFE-LONG POST-ADOPTION COUNSELING SO THAT THESE FAMILIES CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN. TO DATE, PWNL HAS PLACED 200 CHILDREN WITH PERMANENT, LOVING AND STABLE FAMILIES.