Integrating special-needs adoption with residential treatment

Current estimates indicate that 76% of Iowa children whose parents' rights have been terminated and who are listed on the adoption exchange are older children with emotional/behavioral disabilities. Residential treatment can play a significant role in preparing difficult-to-place children (e.g., seven- to 14-year-olds with moderate to severe emotional or behavioral problems) for adoptive placement [Powers and Powell 1982]. The SATT model offers the opportunity to effectively manage the risks in adoptive placement for these children.