November Is Adoption Month

RENSSELAER, NY (11/03/2008)(readMedia)-- New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., is asking New Yorkers to consider becoming foster or adoptive parents as National Adoption Month events kick off across the state.

"There are 1,300 foster children in New York State who are available for adoption and in need of a family," said Carrión. "All who are able should consider welcoming one of these wonderful children into their homes. The rewards are priceless."

Carrión also announced that OCFS, for the first time, will be posting video interviews with children available for adoption on its website at www.ocfs.state.ny.us/adopt/videoAdopt.asp

Governor David A. Paterson has proclaimed November as Adoption Awareness Month.

"The youth of the Empire State are precious to each of us and represent our greatest hope for the future," the Governor said in his proclamation. "It is important that we remember all the children who are in foster care waiting to be adopted as part of a loving and caring family."

Meanwhile, the agency will also continue to coordinate Heart Galleries across the state, featuring professional portraits of children searching for an adoptive family.

Over a third of the children available for adoption in New York are under the age of 10. A quarter of them are between 10 and 13 years old, while the rest are 14 or older.

Children of color are overwhelmingly represented in the state's waiting population. Statewide, African American and Hispanic children make up more than half of the children waiting for adoptive families. Another 20 percent of the waiting children come from other diverse ethnic backgrounds. Some of the children have physical, mental or emotional challenges, and some are part of sibling groups that need to be placed together.

New York provides adoption subsidies to adoptive parents of eligible children. These payments are made monthly to the adoptive parent(s), and may continue until the child reaches the age of 21. Additionally, some of the legal costs involved in adopting a child with special needs are eligible for reimbursement.

Many of the children eligible for adoption also qualify for either Medicaid or a New York Medical Subsidy, which helps families meet the cost of health care for children with physical and emotional needs.

New York also provides foster and adoptive parents with special training to help children deal with loss, rejection or abuse they may have experienced.

A person applying to adopt a child may be single or married, young or old, childless or a parent, a renter or homeowner. For information on how to become a foster or adoptive parent in New York State, visit the OCFS website at www.ocfs.state.ny.us , call 1-800-345-KIDS, or contact your local social services district. In New York City, call Children's Services at 212 676-WISH.

"Frequently Asked Questions" in Spanish were recently added to the OCFS adoption website. In addition to English and Spanish, the website provides a wealth of information on adoption and foster care in Chinese, Russian and Arabic. The website has an Adoption Album, with photos and summaries of children. Families viewing the album will notice a new look and find it easier to search for children recently listed.

A number of counties will have special celebrations on Saturday, Nov. 15, which has been designated as National Adoption Day.

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