ABSTRACT
A disproportionately large number of African American children are entering the public child welfare system, and many are in need of planning for adoptive placement. Although agencies specializing in adoption of minority children have been extremely successful in achieving same-race adoptive placements for African American children, funding and support for some of these initiatives have been withheld due to federal and state legislation designed to limit the consideration of race as a major factor in the selection of adoptive families. This article analyzes these issues, and describes successful placement practices used by a private agency in California and a public agency in Texas. Suggestions for culturally competent practice are elaborated.
