Adopting children older than 4 or 5 years requires unique preparations and considerations for their experiences. This course will help prospective parents and those new to raising older kids understand those needs and how to parent the older children they welcome. The instructors for this course are Sarah Hansen, Director of International Advocacy at the Gladney Center for Adoption, and an adoptive parent to an older child from Thailand. and Simi Riesner, the Executive Director of Mazi Adoption and Family Services, adult adoptee, licensed social worker, and foster parent.

Outline for Adopting Older Children.pdf

This course includes the following learning objectives:

  • List 2 ways to prepare your family for adopting an older child.
  • List 3 reasons for the challenging behaviors you may see in your older adopted child.
  • Discuss what is needed to build connection with your newly adopted older child.


*This course includes a 1-hour conversational audio lesson, a 10-question quiz, and a certificate of completion with the successful completion of the quiz at 80%. 

Your course will remain active for 180 days from purchase date.

This course aligns with the following regulatory requirements.

Hague Treaty on Intercountry Adoption

 96.48 (c)

* Important Information for agencies on Hague Training Requirements.

This course is included in the following state packages.

See links for how it aligns with each state's regulatory requirements.

Illinois packages, including, International Adoption and Special Needs Foster Care Adoption
 Important Information for agencies on Illinois Adoption Requirements.

For information specific to your state, go to the Child Welfare Information Gateway State Search site to find information on each state's requirements on background checks, consent to adoption, home study requirements, post-adoption contact agreements, adoption expense regulations, use of advertising, and who may adopt or place a child for adoption.

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