RELEASE: December 19, 2002

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TRENTON— Adoptive parents James Lee Mitchell of Elizabeth and Lorraine Coage of Linden were honored recently by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) at its annual Adoption Awareness Month recognition event.

At the event, DYFS announced it had met the federal requirement to double its adoptions in five years by finalizing 1,367 adoptions during the last federal fiscal year – surpassing its five year goal of 1,242 adoptions by 10 percent.

As part of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997, the Adoption 2002 program provides annual bonuses to states which double their adoptions by 2002. Last year, New Jersey received the sixth largest bonus at $1.12 million and anticipates a similar bonus next year. This year’s 1,367 adoptions is a 31 percent increase over the previous year’s 1,043 adoptions.

"Our success is a direct result of people like the Mr. Mitchell and Ms. Coage who have opened their hearts and homes by adopting," said Department of Human Services Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris. "Thanks to their love and support, more children now have a place to call home."

After his two grown children left home, free-lance designer James Mitchell, who is divorced, took in the two-year-old son of his goddaughter when unfortunate circumstances warranted such care. Mitchell soon felt that a "sibling" would be good for the two-year-old, so he applied and became a foster parent. A same aged boy, by this time, 4-years-old, was placed in the Mitchell home by DYFS, and Mitchell eventually adopted him.

Learning his newest boy had a brother, Mitchell eventually brought the brother in and is now in the process of adopting both boys. While the brothers’ sister is out-of-state in a residential facility, they travel often to see her and include her as part of their "family".

In Linden, New Jersey, Lorraine Coage raised her four children as a divorced mother. When her daughter Rhonda became diagnosed with multiple illnesses, including but not limited to Leukoderma and Multiple Sclerosis, and could no longer care for her own three children, Grandmother Coage became their foster parent. She has officially adopted her three grandchildren, now ages 9, 11 and 15, and the family has been able to stay together through all these difficulties.

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.

Specifically, if a child has spent 15 out of the last 22 months in foster care, the state may proceed through the courts with terminating a parent’s rights, thus clearing the way for the child’s adoption.

"A permanent and stable home is so important to these children," said Commissioner Harris. "As more children become available for adoption, we continue to need more people like the Mitchell and Coage families."

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 according to Commissioner Harris.

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. DYFS provides a variety of programs for adoptive parents and special needs children including a monthly support payment, clothing allowance, free medical insurance for the adopted child and payment of the required legal fees needed to finalize the adoption.

"Many people don’t think they can adopt but it’s just not true," said Commissioner Harris. "We are working with more people adopting children of a different race, families from other states, unmarried couples and single individuals. In fact, single parents account for 43 percent of DYFS adoptions."

As part of the Adoption Awareness Month recognition event, Commissioner Harris presented a proclamation from Governor James E. McGreevey declaring November as Adoption Awareness Month.

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.