RELEASE: Nov 23 , 2004

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TRENTON – The Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) honored families, organizations and staff today who met the challenge of finding adoptive homes at its annual Adoption Awareness Month.

DYFS sponsors the awards luncheon each year to honor adoptive families along with individuals and groups who have assisted the Division in finding adoptive homes. The event is also sponsored by the Association for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) and the DYFS Adoption Services Advisory Committee.

This year's families include:

•  Ms. Geraldine Glynn- Hopatcong, Sussex County

•  Rocklyn and Adrian Douglas- Roselle, Union County

•  The Martini Family- South Amboy, Middlesex County

•  Ida Burnett and Charles Johnson- East Orange , Essex County

•  Tammi and Patrick Fennelly- South Plainfield , Middlesex County

•  Joe Rose and Francisco Perez- Roselle , Union County

•  Lorrie and Timothy Conger- Toms River , Ocean County

•  Judy Conarty and Jane Filer- Bayville, Ocean County

•  Margaret Ireland and Mary Geary- Egg Harbor Twp., Atlantic County

•  Loretta and Frank Sudan- Whitesboro, Cape May County

•  Douglas Johnson and Joseph Ofalt- Philadelphia

•  Albert and Teresa Tyler- Williamsport , Pennsylvania

“More and more people are opening their hearts and homes through adoption,” said Commissioner Davy. “However, we continue to need more people like those we honor today-- more children are becoming available for adoption than ever before.”

Last year, 1,014 children were adopted through the Division of Youth and Family Services. 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. 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.

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 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 or call toll free 1-800-99-ADOPT.

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