Grant Information

The National Adoption Center will provide Internet access to its existing bulletin board and database system, the National Adoption Exchange (NAE). Today, more than 100,000 children in this country wait to be adopted. They are often older children, many with physical, emotional or learning disabilities. Matching children with adoptive parents is made difficult by lack of communication across state and county lines. An adoption worker in one place may have a child that meets the description for a family in another place but may not be aware of the match. Also, many small agencies are unaware of programs and subsidies that are available for children with disabilities. Through this project, public and private adoption agencies, child advocacy organizations, and adoptive parent groups will establish an Internet connection to use both the NAE On-Line service and other resources available through the Internet. NetCom, an Internet service provider, will provide NetCruiser software to all NAE users at no cost; the software provides World Wide Web and Internet access and will lead users to the National Adoption Center's Home Page. This will give NAE users instant access to adoption information, without searching, and provide them with a gateway to other on-line computer networks. Using a personal computer, modem, and a local phone call, NAE On-line will give adoption agencies and individuals access to the latest information on children and parents interested in adoption issues. The National Adoption Center will also publicize existing resources for adoption agencies and provide extensive technical assistance for organizations who are just learning to use the technology.