The children money can buy: stories from the frontlines of foster care and adoption

Introduction

Part I: Foster care. Why do I want this job?

Service plans

Who are these parents and children?

Foster home highs and lows

The cycle of dysfunction

Boy troubles

Termination of parental rights

Making my escape

Part II: Agency adoption. The home study process

Adoption is the good thing that happens

Adoption disruptions

"Doing good" isn't always good

The need for open adoption

Finding just the right home

Part III: Adoptive parenthood and sisterhood. Children are exactly who they are meant to be

How to talk about adoption

A homeland tour : honoring your child's heritage

A sister's journey of the heart

Awkward (and worse) encounters for adoptive families

Jocelyn's birth mother

Part IV: Adoption connections. Our own adoption agency

Birth parent counseling etiquette

Two open adoptions

Choosing an adoptive family

Money matters

Scammers

Trevor and Amanda

Part V: Changes. A battle for gay adoption

Baby brokers

The ethics of international adoption

The ethics of foster care

Conclusion

Acknowledgments.