The Adoption Exchange is a non-profit 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) child welfare organization founded in 1983 to work for safety and permanence in the lives of foster children. Initially an exchange point for caseworkers to discuss placement of children with families seeking to adopt in the Rocky Mountain region, the organization has grown considerably over the years and now impacts national trends in child welfare, employs over fifty paid staff and counts on scores of volunteers to carry out its mission. Headquartered in Colorado, The Adoption Exchange offices now operate in Missouri,, and, South Dakota and Wyoming are also participating member states, and The Adoption Exchanges National Education Center has established a national presence. The Adoption Exchange recruits families for children who have survived abuse and neglect, supports adoptive families throughout every phase of the adoption process, and trains child welfare professionals. The Adoption Exchange maintains a national training presence, and connects children in eight member states CO, MO, NV, NM, OK, SD, UT and WY with American families living here and abroad. Currently, more than 123, 000 children in the United States are waiting for adoptive parents to release them from the uncertain future of living in foster care ( AFCARS 2006 ). The Adoption Exchange serves waiting children, current and prospective adoptive families, and child welfare professionals.