TRENTON— New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner
Gwendolyn L. Harris announced today the Division of Youth and
Family Services (DYFS) has officially received a $1,126,000 federal
bonus for increasing its adoptions 25 percent during the 2001
federal fiscal year. New Jersey was recognized with the sixth
largest bonus this year.
"More and more people are making the commitment to adopt,"
said Commissioner Harris. "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 $17.5 million in bonuses to 23 states and Puerto Rico
for exceeding the number of children adopted the previous year.
Last federal fiscal year, DYFS finalized 1,043 adoptions compared
to 834 in 2000. The bonuses are part of the federal Adoption and
Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997.
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.
"Fifteen months is a long time in a child’s life,"
said Commissioner Harris. "A permanent and stable home is
so important to these children and as more children become available
for adoption, we continue to need even more people who are willing
to open their heart and home by adopting."
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.
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."
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.
# # #
