Matching an adoptive child with a potential family is not easy. There are several factors to consider, including the child’s age, gender, health, history and special needs as well as how the child might fit in with a family’s interests, activities and beliefs. Children’s Bureau developed a matching team approach for placing adoptive children with families and has noticed a higher rate of success of children staying with families.
“Each child (or children in a sibling set) is assigned a team of four Children’s Bureau professional staff to review their case and match that child’s temperament with a family’s temperament. For example, a child who has special needs (such as an infant born with drugs in their body) might be placed with a family that can handle the range of emotional and physical demands of that child,” said Cynthia Elliott, one of Children’s Bureau’s Matching Coordinators, a social worker and 19-year resident of Santa Clarita.
A child and their prospective adoptive parents get to know each other over a gradual period of time meeting two to four times before a decision is made to pursue adoption. Children’s Bureau has been using the matching approach for two years now and has placed many children in loving, adoptive homes.
“This process is working well for the children and families that we work with. It allows everyone involved time to get to know each other to ensure that this is the best match for them,” said Elliott.
Children’s Bureau is in need of foster and adoptive parents who can provide homes for a myriad of constellations of children. Children’s Bureau is dedicated to helping children remain with their brothers and sisters; families who can give several children a home are especially in demand. Qualifying families receive extensive training, financial and medical assistance and 24-hour support to aid in the care of their foster or adoptive children. Classes are given in both Palmdale and North Hollywood.
For more information, you can attend the Information Meeting at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 27265 Luther Drive, Canyon Country on July 26th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. For those preferring our North Hollywood office located at 11815 Riverside Drive, the Information Meeting there is Saturday, July 21st from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. You may also visit Children’s Bureau’s website at www.all4kids.org or call Cynthia Elliott toll-free 800-730-3933, extension 211. Founded in 1904, Children’s Bureau provides professional treatment and prevention services to more than 9,000 abused and neglected children and their families each year throughout Southern California. Children’s Bureau- Saving Children and Healing Society for 100 years.
For more information, please call 661-272-9996.