Through adoption, children’s lives are changed and families transformed. From inventor George Washington Carver to former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt to Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, as adopted children they all know firsthand how adoption can make a difference in the lives of many. But for every child adopted, there is another waiting for a family. The state of Connecticut has a new initiative designed to connect those waiting children with prospective families.

In 2009, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF), which serves at-risk children and families, reported that there were more than 7,000 children in foster care. Of these youths needing permanency, some were waiting three to four years to be adopted. In hopes of curing this problem, the DCF developed a new Internet resource: www.ctfosteradopt.com.

Simple to search, the website provides useful tools for current foster parents and prospective adoptive placements, including:

  • Brochures and news bulletins
  • Links to legal and legislative information relevant to adoption, including policies and manuals for foster parents
  • Events and open houses related to adoption and foster care
  • Answers for questions a potential adoptive parent or foster parent may have about anything from background checks to financial resources
  • Access to the Heart Gallery, which shows the children available for adoption
  • The ability to request more information online

Through the DCF, those children who have been abandoned, abused and/or neglected can be adopted through federal and state statutory processes. Potential foster or adoptive parents can have background checks and home visits completed, assessments performed, and receive PRIDE training (the Foster Care & Adoption training curriculum that every prospective parent must complete). Once approved, these people can provide care for children in the department’s custody and ultimately adopt.

Other Adoptions: Relative, Stepparent and Private Placement

Other types of adoption such as relative placements and stepparent, agency and independent adoptions also occur, but these processes require court involvement and legal action. In seeking these options, a potential parent should consult an attorney because adoption is more than becoming a parent. Adoption involves making a legal commitment to care and raise a child. Adoption involves legal rights, financial considerations and the ability to understand adoption laws and rules.

Children can be the victims of various circumstances, but those circumstances should not prevent them from having fulfilling lives and the care and support of loving adults. Adoption is a wonderful way for people to extend their love to children who need it.

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