Paul Teague

pteague@newstopic.net

Providing a child with a safe, loving home is a core tenet of our society. And during the month of November, Caldwell County and the nation are hoping to give more children the opportunity to be embraced by the comforting blanket of family.

November is National Adoption Awareness month, and the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners have marked the month with an official proclamation.

"We just had an adoption celebration to recognize the families and professionals in the community," Caldwell County Department of Social Services Adoption Program Supervisor Melinda Price said. "That was a success, and we had a good turnout."

Price said the county has had success in finding homes for children who have been placed in foster care, noting that 47 children were adopted during the 2008-09 fiscal year that ended in June.

Through the first four months of the current fiscal year, Price said, the trend is continuing.

"Since July 1, we've done about 20 adoptions, so that's huge," she said. "We're probably going to exceed (last year's totals) this year."

According to Price, most of the adoptions are made by foster care families and relatives of the children. State and local incentives have increased payments to foster care providers, with additional stipends available for families who take in three or more siblings.

Keeping brothers and sisters together has become a focus for the department, Price said.

"That's our main priority. We always try to do that," Price said. "Unless there is some reason the children can't be put together."

As with other social services units across the state, Caldwell County DSS works through the court system in placing children into foster and adoptive homes. Price said once a child reaches 12 years of age, he or she gains legal powers to determine the direction of potential placements.

"Within six months we sort of get some direction where the case is going," Price said. "Often times it takes a year before the court makes a permanent plan. When children are free for adoption, we can do some recruitment and do some plans."

Price said the rate of children placed into foster care tends to increase during this time of year, adding that there has been an uptick in the number of infant placements.

Working with the media and the state-sponsored NC Kids program, Caldwell County attempts to find homes for children. According to statewide statistics, more than 10,500 children are in foster care. Last year, 1,662 children were adopted in North Carolina.

"The one message we want to get across is that we need families who have parenting experience and who still feel like they have something to offer children," Price said. "We really need someone to take a chance on an older child or a sibling group."

Prospective foster families are required to complete approximately 30 hours of training. The next classes are scheduled to be offered in January.

"Anyone is eligible to come to us, and there is not an age limit," Price said.

For information about the foster home licensing process, contact Valerie Ackerman and Caldwell County DSS at (828) 426-8281.