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222 South Warren Street
Trenton, NJ 08625 Contact: Joe Delmar (609) 292-3703 RELEASE: November 19, 2002 DYFS meets federal requirement
to double adoptions
New Jersey Celebrates Adoption Awareness Month TRENTON—The New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) announced today it has 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. The announcement was made during the division’s annual Adoption Awareness Month recognition luncheon at the Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard. As part of the event, over 25 families, organizations and DYFS staff were honored for supporting New Jersey’s adoption efforts. A complete list of this year’s honorees is attached. "Our success is a direct result of the hundreds of families who have opened their hearts and homes by adopting," said Department of Human Services Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris. "Thanks to the love and support of these individuals, more children across the state are now in loving and permanent homes." As part of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997, the Adoption 2002 program provides annual bonuses to states to 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. 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.
DYFS MEETS FEDERAL REQUIREMENT 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 those families we honor here today." 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 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.
ADOPTION AWARNESS MONTH 2002 - NEW JERSEY HONOREES Adoptive Families
Community Honorees
DYFS Staff
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