RELEASE: November 1, 2004

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New Jersey celebrates Adoption Awareness Month

TRENTON – Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner James M. Davy kicked off November as Adoption Awareness Month in New Jersey by honoring individuals for their What Adoption Means to Me essays.

“Today, we are here celebrating the noble purpose work of those families who answered a deep and personal calling to be parents to some very special children,” said Commissioner Davy.

As a result of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997, states have seen a significant increase in adoptions over the past several years. Last year, 1,014 children were adopted through the Division of Youth and Family Services.

The law stresses the safety, permanency and well being of children by reducing their time in foster care and creating 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.

“Adoptions truly are our most compelling success stories,” said Commissioner Davy. “It is about children and families and the beauty of the human spirit.”

As part of the kickoff, Commissioner Davy recognized three children and one adoptive parent for their winning What Adoption Means to Me essays. Each autumn, the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) sponsors the contest for adoptees and adoptive families. The winners include:
• Robert Wilson - a seven year old adoptee from Bridgeton, Cumberland County
• Alexandria Martini- a 12 year old from South Amboy, Middlesex County who wrote about her adopted sister who is now three years old
• Jermaine Robinson- a 15 year old adoptee from Kendall Park, Middlesex County who was adopted seven years ago by a single father
• Hope Donald- a Special Home Service Provider foster parent (cares for medically fragile children) from Plainfield, Union County who along with her husband Roland adopted their four year old daughter two years ago.

“The personal stories and the smiles of these children and families put everything into perspective,” said Commissioner Davy. “However, 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. 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 Davy. “We are working with more people adopting children regardless of 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 or call toll free 1-800-99-ADOPT.

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