KU News Release

KU helps adopting families make the transition

LAWRENCE — Hundreds of parents adopting a child will have some help from the University of Kansas to ease those children into their new families.

The federal Administration for Children and Families, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded Alice Lieberman, professor in the KU School of Social Welfare, with a $1.25 million grant over five years to establish Strong and Stable Families: a Marriage Education and Family Support Project.

“There is a lot of evidence to suggest that recently adopted children put unique strains on families,” Lieberman said. “This is a way to sustain the family through the transition.”

Lieberman said some adoptive children may have special or psychological needs and require more attention. Some parents adopt sibling groups, which can suddenly increase the workload in the home. Though they adopt for good reasons, she said, some parents may not be well-prepared for the work required when adopting.

“The grant allows these parents who have done something really wonderful to get a break and to learn some coping strategies,” Lieberman said.

The grant includes funding for day care for about 600 couples while the parents take a two to two-and-a-half day retreat in which they receive family life training. In a classroom setting, they participate in group discussions, role playing and exercise groups.

Parents also have the opportunity to meet people in their communities who have also adopted and can be mutually beneficial to each other as their children grow.

Lieberman said the programs will be offered at several locations around the state to ensure that widespread groups of people can participate.

The research project will evaluate how well two different program models work in comparison to a less intensive program and also a control group of parents who have received no assistance or training.

Lieberman says the training is designed for those parents who have adopted through state contracted agencies in the last 18 months.

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