Today, November 22, 2014, is national adoption day. As you know, there are many “national” days nowadays. But this national day is a very important one. There are so many children who need a loving home across the world, across the country, and right here in Dublin, Ohio. There are more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting for their forever homes.
There are many myths about adopting.
MYTH: There’s too much red tape and bureaucracy involved in adopting a child from foster care.
Congress has streamlined the foster care adoption process through enactment of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. This law stipulates that children in foster care, who cannot be reunited with their birth parents, are freed for adoption and placed with permanent families as quickly as possible.
MYTH: Adopting a child from foster care is expensive.
Actually, adopting children from foster care can be virtually free. Many agencies do not charge for the services they provide to families who are adopting a child from foster care. In addition, a growing number of companies and government agencies offer adoption assistance as part of their employee benefits packages, including time off for maternity/paternity leave, financial incentives, and other benefits. Congress has also made federal tax credits available for foster care adoptions to help offset required fees, court costs, and legal and travel expenses. In 2014, the maximum federal tax credit for qualifying expenses was $13,190. These types of benefits enable more families to adopt children from foster care into their homes.
MYTH: All children in foster care have some kind of physical, mental or emotional handicap; that’s why they are classified as “special needs.”
The term “special needs” is somewhat misleading, because it can mean that the child is older, a minority or requires placement with his/her siblings. While some children are dealing with physical or emotional concerns, they need the nurturing support only a permanent family can provide. Many children in foster care are in the “system” because their birth parents weren’t protective and nurturing caretakers— not because the children did anything wrong or because there is something wrong with them.
MYTH: Families don’t receive support after the adoption is finalized.
Financial assistance does not end with the child’s placement or adoption. The vast majority of children adopted from foster care are eligible for federal or state subsidies that help offset both short-and long-term costs associated with post-adoption adjustments. Such benefits, which vary by state, commonly include monthly cash subsidies, medical assistance and social services.
More information about federal and state subsidy programs is available from the National Adoption Assistance Training, Resource, and Information Network helpline at 1-800-470-6665.
MYTH: It’s too difficult to find information on how to adopt.
There are resources available to help potential parents take the first step towards adopting out of foster care. For more information log on to www.nationaladoptionday.org or simply call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.
If you feel that adopting is for you and your family, please look into it. You can make a difference to a child and change their life forever.
For more information please visit www.natoinaladoptionday.org
There are many myths about adopting.
MYTH: There’s too much red tape and bureaucracy involved in adopting a child from foster care.
Congress has streamlined the foster care adoption process through enactment of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. This law stipulates that children in foster care, who cannot be reunited with their birth parents, are freed for adoption and placed with permanent families as quickly as possible.
MYTH: Adopting a child from foster care is expensive.
Actually, adopting children from foster care can be virtually free. Many agencies do not charge for the services they provide to families who are adopting a child from foster care. In addition, a growing number of companies and government agencies offer adoption assistance as part of their employee benefits packages, including time off for maternity/paternity leave, financial incentives, and other benefits. Congress has also made federal tax credits available for foster care adoptions to help offset required fees, court costs, and legal and travel expenses. In 2014, the maximum federal tax credit for qualifying expenses was $13,190. These types of benefits enable more families to adopt children from foster care into their homes.
MYTH: All children in foster care have some kind of physical, mental or emotional handicap; that’s why they are classified as “special needs.”
The term “special needs” is somewhat misleading, because it can mean that the child is older, a minority or requires placement with his/her siblings. While some children are dealing with physical or emotional concerns, they need the nurturing support only a permanent family can provide. Many children in foster care are in the “system” because their birth parents weren’t protective and nurturing caretakers— not because the children did anything wrong or because there is something wrong with them.
MYTH: Families don’t receive support after the adoption is finalized.
Financial assistance does not end with the child’s placement or adoption. The vast majority of children adopted from foster care are eligible for federal or state subsidies that help offset both short-and long-term costs associated with post-adoption adjustments. Such benefits, which vary by state, commonly include monthly cash subsidies, medical assistance and social services.
More information about federal and state subsidy programs is available from the National Adoption Assistance Training, Resource, and Information Network helpline at 1-800-470-6665.
MYTH: It’s too difficult to find information on how to adopt.
There are resources available to help potential parents take the first step towards adopting out of foster care. For more information log on to www.nationaladoptionday.org or simply call 1-800-ASK-DTFA.
If you feel that adopting is for you and your family, please look into it. You can make a difference to a child and change their life forever.
For more information please visit www.natoinaladoptionday.org