RELEASE: August 28, 2002

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TRENTON - The Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) finalized 911 adoptions last year, a 30 percent increase, and the division is looking to build upon its success by recruiting more adoptive homes.

"We have made significant progress the past few years," said DYFS Director Charles Venti. "However, more children are being placed for adoption than ever before so we continue to need more homes."

To meet the growing number of adoptions, DYFS created an additional 88 caseworker positions and opened a sixth Adoption Resource Center (ARC) last year in Woodbridge, Middlesex County.

"The new ARC focuses on selected home adoptions," added Venti. "A majority of our foster parents adopt their foster children- this ARC finds adoptive homes for those children who will not be adopted by their foster parents. Homes for these children are at the heart of our recruitment efforts."

States across the nation have seen a significant increase in adoption as a result of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) in 1997. The law stresses the safety, permanency and well being of children by requiring less time in foster care and quicker adoptions. Under ASFA, states must now file for a termination of parental rights (TPR) if the child has spent 15 of the past 22 months in foster care.

DYFS has seen a significant increase in TPRs and adoptions with ASFA explained Venti. TPRs have more than doubled from 633 in 1997 to 1336 in 2000. Adoptions have increased from 597 in 1997 to the current 911 according to a recent statistical report submitted to the courts and adoption advocates.

Prospective adoptive parents are required to complete a home study, which includes 24 hours of training, interviews and a home visit along with background and reference checks.

Over the past several years, DYFS has seen a change in the type of families looking to adopt. The division is working with more people choosing to adopt children of a different race, families from other states, unmarried couples and single individuals.

"We’re seeing more and more single people making a commitment to adopt," said Venti. "It’s a common misconception that you have to be married to adopt-- last year 45 percent of our adoptions involved single parents."

To learn more about adopting a child, visit the DYFS adoption web site http://www.njadopt.org. A step-by-step overview of the adoption process is available along with profiles of children waiting to be adopted. A toll-free number, 1-800-99-ADOPT, is also available.