Adoption highlighted during Black History Month

Awareness part of larger efforts to help children in foster care system

Contact:
Beth Voigt
Communications
651-431-3833

PDF version of news release

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is working with its partner organizations to encourage families to adopt children waiting in the foster care system, particularly African American children who are overrepresented in the child welfare system.

Throughout February, Black History Month:

• The Minnesota Heart Gallery is featuring children in the foster care system awaiting adoption in its display at the East Side Neighborhood Services Building, 1700 Second St. NE, Minneapolis. The Heart Gallery is a community outreach program of Ampersand Families, which raises awareness about older youth waiting in the foster care system and helps recruit adoptive families for these youth. About 10,000 people are expected to view the photo display.
• The MN Adopt website is including daily features on African American youth and sibling groups available for adoption. MN Adopt, an adoption service array provided by the Minnesota Adoption Resource Network under grant contract with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, manages the State Adoption Exchange and information on Minnesota’s waiting children. It also supports and sustains families who adopt these children by providing online resources and referrals.
• The Star Tribune and KSTP-TV are promoting adoption of children in the foster care system, featuring African American youth, in their regular features on this topic.

 

“During Black History Month, we want to celebrate the strengths of African American families and encourage more families to consider adoption,” said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. “We are looking for adoptive parents who can provide them with safe, nurturing homes for a lifetime. Many African American families have already successfully adopted and we encourage more to consider adoption.”

Encouraging adoption of African American children is just one step Minnesota is taking to improve the lives of children. Recognizing the importance of permanent families, Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed creation of Northstar Care for Children. The new program, currently being considered by the Legislature, would make it easier for children to find adoptive or other permanent homes by changing incentives for prospective parents. 

Currently, 355 children in the foster care system need adoptive families immediately. Of the 460 children adopted from the foster care system in 2012, 16 percent were African American. They waited an average 164 days longer than any other children in the system to get adopted. Nine families with at least one African American parent are registered with the State Adoption Exchange.

Of the 355 children waiting for adoption:

• 60 percent are children of color
• 46 percent are siblings who need to be adopted together
• 41 percent have been diagnosed with a psychological or medical disability
• 35 percent are 12 to 18 years old.

 

“Every child deserves a family, and help is available,” Jesson said. “The state can provide financial support to children with special needs, and the private and nonprofit adoption agencies that we contract with can provide ongoing support before, during and after adoption.”

More information is available:

• Call the county social service agency or one of the licensed, private adoption agencies under contract with the state to provide adoption services. Counties and private adoption agencies under contract with DHS do not charge fees to parents adopting children under state guardianship.
• Visit the MN ADOPT website.

 

Editor’s note: Adoptive families and adoption experts are available for interviews. Contact Beth Voigt, Minnesota Department of Human Services, 651-431-3833.