Log in Subscribe

Adoption Month

Posted 11/16/20

November is National Adoption month, a time set aside each year to raise awareness about the urgent need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care programs.

Deputy County …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Adoption Month

Posted

November is National Adoption month, a time set aside each year to raise awareness about the urgent need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care programs.

Deputy County Manager John Liddle reported to the Sullivan County Legislature's Health and Family Services Committee on Friday that, as of their September Report, there are 130 children in foster care in Sullivan County. Liddle reported that the county's foster care unit had also certified nine new foster homes in August and the county had reduced the number of children in “congregate care settings” by 20 percent over the course of the summer.

Liddle said they have three adoptions lined up and, in addition to the naturalization ceremonies for new American citizens, adoptions are some of the proudest moments to witness.

According to the Gladney Center for Adoption, there are more than 400,000 children who are a part of the foster care system in the United States. A foster child usually waits nearly four years to be adopted but many of these children will age out of the foster care system at age 18 every year without ever having a permanent home with a stable family to call their own.

“All of the children in the County of Sullivan are our most precious resource and have the right to the love and support of a forever family,” read a proclamation by the Sullivan County Legislature to commemorate the month. “[We] urge all of the residents of Sullivan County to join in the efforts and work toward supporting efforts to provide forever families for the foster children in Sullivan County.”

Here at the Democrat, we've reported on the state of foster care in Sullivan County over the past few years. We know from talking to foster parents how much of a commitment and, at times, a challenge it can be. We've also heard them say what a rewarding and life-changing experience it is to open up their homes and their hearts to a child looking for a better life.

The act of adoption can be the most significant moment in a person's life - for both the parents and the one being adopted. It takes an enormous amount of compassion, patience, hard work and love. It involves accepting people for who they are and working to overcome the often tragic circumstances of their past.

What is it that makes a family? There's more than one answer to this question, but it always involves people in a loving and stable home who care for each other. We should all count ourselves lucky to have that.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here