Aid To Children - AFA grants aid to programs, both domestic and overseas, working for children in need of permanence. AFA's members nominate programs to be considered for grants within the AFA board of director s guidelines. Advocacy - AFA prorates equitable treatment of adoptive families in law and regulation by consulting with the U.S. Congress and federal agencies, and by supporting the efforts of local parent groups to improve their state laws. AFA works with the media to provide accurate, respectful representation of adoptive families and adoption issues in the press, film, and television. Conference - AFA holds an annual conference for adoptive parents and those seeking to build their families through adoption.
Presenters address topics from the adoptive parent's perspective and give practical information.
In the U.S., approximately 60,000 children are adopted annually by unrelated persons. Of this, approximately 30,000 adoptions are of healthy infants and 30,000 of older children and children with special needs. These children are primarily infants. Of adoptions of infant's born in the U.S., about half occur through independent adoption, without agency assistance. There are nearly half a million children being cared for in the U.S. foster care system.