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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release November 2, 2009 |
Ministry of Children and Family Development
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ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER
VICTORIA – November is Adoption Awareness Month in British Columbia, a time to recognize adoption as an important way to build a family. It is also a time to raise awareness of the children who are still waiting to find a forever family.
“Every child needs a safe and loving home and a family to call their own,” said Minister of Children and Family Development Mary Polak. “Adoption provides children with the stability, security and love that every child needs.”
“Adoption Awareness Month is a time to appreciate what family means – in all its forms – and celebrate the gift of love and commitment that is the foundation of a nurturing family.”
Over the last five years, 1,471 children in the care of the ministry have found permanent families through adoption. Still, there are almost 1,300 children in the province who are waiting to be adopted.
The ministry works closely with community partners, including the Adoptive Families Association of B.C. (AFABC), to increase the number of approved adoption homes for children in care. The association provides both pre- and post-adoptive support to children and adoptive families and helps raise awareness and recruit new adoptive families across B.C. through their Provincial Support Network.
“Adoption Awareness Month is our opportunity to let everyone know there are kids and teens waiting and available for adoption,” says AFABC executive director Karen Madeiros, “All children, from babies to teens, need families, and the AFABC has taken on a Youth Engagement Initiative that includes the creation of a Speak Out Youth Group to reach teens in foster care who have adoption as their plan and let them know that adoption might be for them.”
Last year the ministry began placing a greater focus on finding homes for older youth. In 2008-09, 17 children over 12 years of age found forever families. With 376 children in ministry care who are over the age of 12 and have adoption as their plan of care, the ministry is working in partnership with licensed adoption agencies and the AFABC to help increase these numbers.
“We know that when people think of adoption they often think about bringing home a baby or toddler. So many older children and youth have, historically, aged out of care never finding a permanent family,” said Polak. “It can take more time to find the right match between a prospective family and an older child, but it is worth the extra effort.”
During the next few years the emphasis on placing older youth will continue, as will a continued focus on working closely with Aboriginal communities to find more adoptive families. It is important to ensure children retain their cultural identity and connection to their community.
If you would like to find more information about adopting a waiting child in British Columbia, please call 1 877 ADOPT 07 or visit www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption to view children’s profiles and learn about becoming an adoptive parent.
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A backgrounder follows.
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Contact:
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Christine Ash Ministry of Children and Family Development 250 356-1639 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
BACKGROUNDER
November 2, 2009 Ministry of Children and Family Development
ADOPTION QUICK FACTS
· There are approximately 1,300 children in British Columbia waiting for a permanent family – with more than 600 of these children ready to be adopted today.
· Between April 2004 and March 2009, 1,471 children in care of the ministry found permanent families through adoption – that is an average of around 300 children per year.
· Over the last five years 499 Aboriginal children found permanent families through adoption. Of those, 275, or 54 per cent, were placed with Aboriginal families.
· There are about 600 Aboriginal children registered for adoption, and that number remains consistent year over year.
· There are 376 children over the age of 12 waiting to be adopted. While that represents approximately 30 per cent of the children in care with adoption as their plan, adoptions for older children account for less than 1% of all adoptions each year.
· If you want to find out more information about adoption you can call 1-877 ADOPT-07 or visit the Ministry of Children and Family Development website at: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption.
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Contact:
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Christine Ash Ministry of Children and Family Development 250 356-1639 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
