About SCALAA
South Carolina Association of Licensed Adoption Agencies (SCALAA) was established in 1998. The organization now includes most licensed adoption agencies in the state. Both non-profit and private agencies statewide are joined with others interested in adoption issues to advocate for healthy adoption practice.
Meetings are scheduled throughout the year to advocate and address ongoing adoption issues. SCALAA participation includes professional social workers, representing adoption agencies, as well as "lay" people interested in adoptions who usually represent adoptive parents, birth parents or adult adoptees. These meetings have been a forum for discussing best practices, for considering changes in adoption policy, and for sponsoring legislative action. A members only blog is also used to discuss adoption issues on a daily basis.
Services to all members of the adoption triad (birth parents, adopted child, adoptive parents) have been expanded and improved due to the organizational belief that "where there is mutual exchange, there is constructive growth,".
SCALAA has initiated training workshops for professional staff on current trends and new methods of practice. South Carolina Adoption Agencies are working with over 200 children at any one time but reviews the adoption potential of over 500 children annually. South Carolina Adoption Agencies bring together children needing placement over 500 times each year.