| The purpose of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997. ASFA aimed to promote permanency for children in the foster care system through the utilization of adoption. By promoting adoption, ASFA hoped to lower the number of children in the foster care system and shorten the length of their stay. A review of academic literature is presented in order to provide an historical context for ASFA's implementation within the child welfare system, and David Gil's framework is utilized in the analysis of ASFA.;The outcome of this study reveals that the number of completed adoptions has increased. However, the number of children awaiting adoption continues to be higher than the number of completed adoptions, and children continue to spend long periods of time in out-of-home care. In addition, ASFA has had unintended consequences on parties involved in the child welfare system, particularly families of color. |
