CELEBRANDO EL MES NACIONAL
DEL CUIDADO ADOPTIVO
Mayo de 2013
Por Susan Anderson
TLC Servicios para Niños y Familia
Omar de 10 años inquisitivo y pensativo nos preguntó, “¿Pueden ayudarme a encontrar una hermana?”. Omar y su familia estaban en la exposición de la revista “Sonoma Life Magazine”, la cual se llevó a cabo en el “Wells Fargo Center” donde TLC Servicios para Niños y Familia, tenían una mesa de información. Cuando les dijimos que más de 57,000 niños en California están bajo cuidado adoptivo, Omar escuchaba con gran atención a medida que nosotros le explicábamos el proceso del cuidado adoptivo y la adopción.
Omar muy entusiasmado me entregó un sombrero que él creó y me pidió que se lo diera a un niño que quizás lo quisiera. Su mamá, su papá y un hermano mayor sonrieron y dijeron, “Tiene un corazón muy grande”. Mientras su familia pudiera estar considerando cuidado adoptivo o adopción, hay muchos más niños en nuestra comunidad quienes necesitan alguien como Omar quien puede abrir sus corazones y hogares a estos niños, quienes no tienen la seguridad y el amor de una familia.
Una encuesta nacional encomendada por la “Fundación Dave Thomas para la Adopción” en el año de 2007 revela que 48 millones de estadounidenses han considerado la adopción. Esta encuesta se enfocó específicamente en actitudes nacionales hacia el cuidado adoptivo y la adopción. Los resultados indican tres áreas acerca de niños quienes están esperando ser adoptados.
Niños en Cuidado Adoptivo
Mito: 45% de los estadounidenses piensan que los niños bajo cuidado adoptivo entraron en el sistema de adopción debido a delincuencia juvenil.
Realidad: Los niños ingresan en el sistema, aunque sin propia culpa, como víctimas de negligencia, abandono y/o abuso. La mayoría de estos niños viven con familias adoptivas y no en hogares en grupo o en instituciones.
El sistema de cuidado adoptivo
Mito: 46% de los estadounidenses piensan que el cuidado adoptivo es caro.
Realidad: la adopción y el cuidado adoptivo no es caro, además hay apoyo financiero disponible.
Mito: 67% de aquellas personas que están considerando una adopción les preocupa que cualquiera de los padres biológicos pudiera tener la capacidad de recuperar a su hijo.
Realidad: Una vez que el niño ha estado disponible para adopción, ninguno de los padres biológicos pueden reclamar al niño o hacer una petición para su regreso.
Diversidad de Padres Aptos Para Adopción
Mito: Menos de la mitad de los estadounidenses creen que un padre soltero o una madre soltera que cría un niño adoptivo puede definitivamente proveer un ambiente saludable y cariñoso.
Realidad: Una tercera parte de niños adoptados de cuidado adoptivo en el año 2005 fueron adoptados por un padre o una madre soltera o por parejas no casadas.
Mito: Únicamente una tercera parte de los padres del mismo sexo pueden definitivamente proveer un ambiente saludable.
Realidad: Aproximadamente 65,000 niños (4% del total de niños adoptados) están viviendo con una madre adoptiva lesbiana o un padre adoptivo homosexual.
Mito: Únicamente un 37% piensan que una persona con una edad mayor de 55 años puede definitivamente proveer un ambiente saludable y cariñoso para un niño.
Realidad: 23% de los niños adoptados viven con un padre o una madre adoptiva de 55 años o más.
Cada hogar de cuidado o de adopción es tan único como lo son las familias y los niños involucrados. Para aquellas personas que estén interesadas en adoptar un niño de un hogar de cuidado, puede ser elegible para recibir subsidios federales o estatales para adopción, también conocido como asistencia de adopción y créditos de impuestos.
Si le gustaría obtener más información, favor de comunicarse con Susan Anderson, Directora de Marketing & Fund Development en Servicios de TLC para Niños y Familia ubicado en Sebastopol CA al número 707. 823.7300 o a la siguiente dirección de correo electrónico [email protected] o bien visite el sitio www.tlc4kids.org.
CELEBRATING NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
May 2013
By Susan Anderson
TLC Child & Family Services
Inquisitive and thoughtful 10-year -old, Omar asked us, “Can you help me find a sister?” He and his family were attending the Sonoma Life Magazine, Family Life Expo held at the Wells Fargo Center where TLC Child & Family Services had an information table. When we told him that more than 57,000 children in California are in foster care, he listened intently as we explained the process of foster care and adoption.
Omar eagerly handed me a hat that he created at the expo and asked that I give it to a child who may want it. His mother, father and older brother smiled and said, “He has a very big heart.” While his family may be considering foster care or adoption, there are many more children in our community who need someone like Omar who can open their hearts and homes to these children who don’t have the security and love of a family.
A national survey commissioned by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in 2007 reveals that 48 million Americans have considered adoption from foster care. The survey focused specifically on national attitudes toward foster care adoption. The results indicate three areas about the children who are waiting.
Children in Foster Care
Myth: 45% of Americans think children in foster care have entered the system because of juvenile delinquency.
Reality: Children enter the system though no fault of their own, as victims of neglect, abandonment and/or abuse. The majority of these children live with foster families, not in group homes or in institutions.
The Foster Care System
Myth: 46% of Americans think foster care adoption is expensive.
Reality: Foster care adoption is not expensive, and there is financial support available.
Myth: 67% of those considering adoption are concerned the biological parents will be able to take the child back.
Reality: Once a child has been legally made available for adoption, birth parents cannot claim a child or petition for their return.
Diversity of Parents Capable of Adoption
Myth: Less than half of Americans believe a single parent raising an adoptive child can definitely provide a healthy and loving environment.
Reality: One-third of children adopted from foster care in 2005 were adopted by single parents or unmarried couples.
Myth: Only same sex parents can definitely provide a healthy environment.
Reality: An estimated 65,000 children (4 percent of adopted children) are living with a lesbian or gay adoptive parent.
Myth: Only 37 percent think a person over the age of 55 can definitely provide a healthy and loving environment for a child.
Reality: 23 percent of adopted children live with an adoptive parent 55 years and older.
Every foster or fost-adopt home is as unique as the families and children involved. For those interested in adopting a child from foster care, you may be eligible for federal or state adoption subsidies, also known as adoption assistance and tax credits.
If you would like more information please contact Susan Anderson, Marketing & Fund Development Director at TLC Child & Family Services located in Sebastopol CA 707.823.7300 or [email protected] or visit www.tlc4kids.org.
____________________________________________
National Foster Care Month Core Messages
Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to shine a light on the experiences of the more than 400,000 children and youth in the foster care system. The campaign raises awareness about the urgent needs of these young people and encourages citizens from every walk of life to get involved – as foster or adoptive parents, volunteers, mentors, employers or in other ways.
With the help of dedicated people, many formerly abused or neglected children and teens will either reunite safely with their parents, be cared for by relatives or be adopted by loving families. Many children would not have to enter foster care at all if more states provided support and services to help families cope with crises early on. Thanks to the many advocates, child welfare professionals, elected officials and support groups around the country, the total number of children in foster care has decreased over recent years.. But more help is needed.
Every year, approximately 30,000 young people leave the foster care system without lifelong families – most at age 18. On their own, these young adults must navigate a weakened economy offering fewer jobs and less support for vital services such as housing. They need – and deserve – caring adults who love and support them. We call on all Americans to join us in helping to change a lifetime of a child or youth in foster care. No matter who you are or how much time you have to give, you can help create permanent, lifelong connections for these children and youth.
THE MAGNITUDE
About 424,000 children in the United States currently are in foster care because their own families are in crisis and unable to provide for their essential well-being. Many children in foster care are unable to return home safely because their parents lack access to services that could help strengthen the family. In addition, there are millions of foster care alumni in the U.S. who represent all walks of life.
THE NEED
No matter their age, all children in foster care need a meaningful connection to at least one caring adult who becomes a supportive and lasting presence in their lives. Without families or stable relationships, too many of these formerly neglected and/or abused children and teens will end up facing life’s challenges all alone.
THE FACES OF FOSTER CARE
Child welfare issues arise in families of every race, ethnicity, culture and age group. A disproportionate percentage of children in foster care are children of color, particularly African American and American Indian. In addition, children of color in the child welfare system experience worse outcomes.
THE CONSEQUENCES
Research shows that young people who age out of foster care are far more likely than their peers in the general population to endure homelessness, poverty, compromised mental and physical health, insufficient education, unemployment, incarceration, and early pregnancy and parenthood.
THE PRIORITY
Older youth are in most urgent need of attention. Nearly half of the young people in foster care are older than age 10. For many years, the number of young people aging out of foster care has increased. That number currently is about 30,000 each year. These young people exit foster care without the appropriate family connections, resources, mentorship, employment, skills or options they need to live independently.
THE SOLUTION
Children and youth in foster care are capable of overcoming the repercussions of previous neglect and/or abuse. Across the country, people just like you are raising their voices and engaging in efforts to educate federal and state public policy leaders on the issues facing children and families. Supporting children and families is a bi-partisan issue and should be a priority for all policymakers. Throughout the nation, everyday people are serving as foster parents, relative caregivers, mentors, advocates, social workers and volunteers. Thanks to these unsung heroes, many formerly abused or neglected children and teens will either reunite safely with their parents, be cared for by relatives, or be adopted by loving families. Many children would not have to enter foster care at all if more states provided support and services to help families cope with crises early on.
THE CALL TO ACTION
Many communities are urgently seeking more everyday people to come forward to help these young people realize their full potential. May is National Foster Care Month. Every state in our country has children in foster care. They belong to all of us. Now is the time to show we care.
Visit www.fostercaremonth.org to find out more about the many ways you can get involved and make a lasting difference for America’s children. No matter who you are and how much time you have to give, you have the power to do something positive that will CHANGE A LIFETIME for a young person in foster care. You can help create permanent, lifelong connections for these children.