The George Washington University Study of Kidsave Summer Miracles Adoptive Families

Brief Project Description

Lead Investigator: Susan M. Blake, PhD,

Kidsave Summer Miracles brings older orphans to the USA from foreign orphanages for summer visits with families. The George Washington University Study of Kidsave Summer Miracles Adoptive Families was designed to focus on the short- and intermediate-term adjustment, post-adoption experiences and outcomes of children and families who participated in the first five years of the Kidsave International Summer Miracles program (1999-2003). The goals of this research study were to: (1) better understand how older children (ages 5-15) who were adopted from orphanages in Russia, Kazakhstan and Colombia and their adoptive families were adjusting post-adoption, and the challenges they faced, (2) help other families who might be considering adoption of an older child in the future make informed decisions, and (3) increase the base of knowledge about older child adoptions to improve family preparation and post-adoption services.

Project site: George Washington University Medical Center

Collaborating Organizations: Kidsave International and George Washington University Medical Center.