Adoption News

ADOPTIONS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS REACH RECORD HIGH IN PENNSYLVANIA

HARRISBURG — A record 2,065 children with special needs found permanent, adoptive homes in Pennsylvania during 2005, according to the Department of Public Welfare. The adopted included foster children, siblings, minorities, children over age five, and children with physical, mental or emotional disabilities.
 
“Every child deserves to have a loving home, but the challenges of finding permanent homes for difficult-to-place children can be daunting,” said Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle B. Richman. “I commend these extraordinary families for opening their hearts and homes to provide a stable, nurturing environment in which these children may thrive and grow.”
 
The record achievement was announced during the 14th annual Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network Conference, which began today and continues through Friday at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East.
 
“One of the key factors behind our success in finding permanent homes for children with special needs is the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network,” said Nancy Hardy, deputy secretary for DPW’s Office of Children, Youth and Families. “The network, known as SWAN, has helped cultivate the spirit of cooperation and shared goals that has led to the adoption of more than 19,000 kids since it began 14 years ago.” Read more at stat.pa.us

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	Did You Know?
	Most adoptive parents are two parent families Most adoptive parents are two parent families aged 31 to 40. A growing number of parents are aged 41 to 49. Most parents attended or completed college. Children can be adopted from other countries Adopting children from all over the world has become something U.S. residents and citizens have been doing more and more when starting or expanding their families. Over 20,000 inter-country adoptions are taking place per year in addition to the more than Adoption assistance is available Monthly or one-time only subsidy payments to help adoptive parents raise children with special needs. These payments were initially made possible by the enactment of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-272) which provided Federa