How Adopt America Network Helps Children in Foster Care Find Permanent Families

Adopt America Network (AAN) connects children waiting in foster care with permanent families and supports those families before, during, and after the family is united. Its site serves two audiences at once: people considering adoption or fostering, and families already formed through adoption, kinship care, or foster care. If you are exploring adoption from foster care, the most direct starting point is the "Waiting Children" section, where profiles of children awaiting adoption can be browsed.

Browsing waiting children

The site's core recruitment tool is a public listing of children in foster care who are waiting to be adopted. Each profile introduces a child by name and a short description — for example, the featured profile of X'Clusive, a child who "likes to go by X," described as kind and respectful and often preferring to be a role model.

What a profile gives you

• A first introduction to the child, written to help prospective families decide whether to inquire further
• A rotating "featured" slot that highlights specific children on the homepage
• A standing invitation to "browse their profiles now" for anyone beginning the search

Profiles are an entry point, not a placement decision. Expect the formal process — inquiry, home study, matching, and finalization — to run through the agency and the child's caseworkers rather than through the website itself.

Support for adoptive, kinship, and foster families

AAN states that it provides support before, during, and after a family is united. On the site, this appears as a dedicated Family Support area aimed at adoptive, kinship, and foster families, with the message "We're here to support you."

Who the support is for

The site does not publish a detailed service menu, eligibility rules, or costs for family support. If you need specifics — such as support groups, respite, or training schedules — treat the Family Support page as a contact point and ask directly rather than assuming a particular service exists.

Community, events, and storytelling

AAN builds permanency awareness through gatherings and public storytelling rather than profiles alone.

• Events: The site promotes a recurring calendar of run, dine, and gather events under the banner of making the mission possible, with an invitation to "Join us."
• The Home for Good Gala: Scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, this annual foster-adopt fundraiser and award ceremony honors the 2026 Richard K. Ransom Awardee, The Honorable Jack R. Puffenberger, a Lucas County probate judge who has presided over more than 8,000 adoptions. The site provides a "Learn more & RSVP" path for the event.
• Story sharing: "Tell Your Story" invites adoptive families to share their experiences, which AAN uses to inspire other families and advance its mission.
• Newsletter: A community newsletter signup offers ongoing updates.

These channels matter if you want to support the mission, meet other families, or hear firsthand accounts before committing to the adoption process.

Organizational updates worth knowing

The site notes that the Board of Directors has named Brett Loney as the new President of Adopt America Network, with a link to the full announcement. For anyone researching the organization's leadership or recent direction, that announcement is the place to start.

How to use the site if you are considering adoption

1. Start with Waiting Children. Browse profiles to understand the children currently waiting and whether their needs fit your family's capacity.
2. Check Family Support. If you are already an adoptive, kinship, or foster family, review what support is offered and reach out with specific questions.
3. Attend or follow events. Events and the newsletter keep you connected to the community and to AAN's work.
4. Share your story if you have adopted, to help other families see what the journey looks like.

Common sticking points

• Profiles are not applications. Browsing a child's profile does not start a placement; the formal process runs through the agency and caseworkers.
• Support details are thin online. The site signals that support exists but does not list services, schedules, or costs — ask before relying on a specific offering.
• Event logistics change. Confirm dates and RSVP details on the event page rather than from secondary mentions.

The through-line is simple: AAN's public work is to make waiting children visible, keep families supported across the adoption lifecycle, and sustain the mission through events, fundraising, and shared stories.