RELEASE: November 8, 2001

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TRENTON - As part of its activities celebrating November as Adoption Awareness Month, the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) announced today it has received a $185,418 federal bonus for increasing its adoptions 11 percent during the 2000 federal fiscal year.

"More and more people are making the commitment to adopt," said DYFS Director Charles Venti. "Thanks to the love and support of these individuals, more children across the state are now in loving and permanent homes."

In total, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $11 million in bonuses to 35 states for exceeding the number of children adopted the previous year. Last federal fiscal year, DYFS finalized 834 adoptions compared to 755 in 1999. The bonuses are part of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997.

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

States across the nation continue to see a significant increase in adoptions as a result of ASFA. The law stresses the safety, permanency and well being of children by requiring less time in foster care and more opportunities for adoption.

To meet the growing number of adoptions, DYFS added more 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."

DYFS has traditionally faced the challenge of placing older and special-needs children in permanent homes. There has been a shortfall of these homes, especially for African American children explained Venti.

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.

As part of Adoption Awareness Month, DYFS is hosting a series of events and activities. On November 15^th, the division will honor families, organizations and staff throughout the state at its annual Adoption Awareness Month luncheon at the War Memorial in Trenton. DYFS will also take part in the national Adoption Saturday on November 17^th by finalizing the adoptions of over 50 children in Essex County Superior Court located in Newark.

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.

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