to Adopt Older Children and Sibling Sets as Part of Child Specific Recruitment Project with Los Angeles County
When an individual or family decides to adopt a child, most people request a newborn or toddler-aged child. However, there are more than 10,000 youth, ages 14 and older, in Los Angeles County who desperately need and want a permanent, safe and loving place to call home. Children’s Bureau is seeking those special individuals and families who are willing to bring an older child or sibling set into their home.
“There is an enormous need to find permanent homes for sibling sets and teenagers so that they have a lifetime of support, nurturing and love that a family can provide. It is very sad to think that once a child turns 18 and leaves foster care, they might not have a family to return to share holidays or celebrate life moments such as a graduation or new job,“ said Lou Graham, Director of Foster Care and Adoption for Children’s Bureau.
Furthermore, older children are sometimes harder to place because they are often part of a sibling group (brothers and sisters). Prospective parents may not be able to take on more than one child or they don’t have the means to accommodate them. Also, older children may have challenging problems that might be more than an adoptive parent might be willing to take on.
“Parents who have already raised their own children are good candidates to become adoptive parents for these kids. They have already experienced the needs and challenges of the teenage years. Retirees could also be the connection to a caring, committed adult that these children need. Teachers are good candidates because of their skills and background in dealing with special needs children,” added Graham.
An information meeting will take place at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 27265 Luther Drive in Canyon Country on Thursday, June 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Children’s Bureau continues to provide training, services, support groups and resources including libraries of books and videotapes for adoptive and foster parents. The Targeted Recruitment Project is a partnership, which began in 2005, between Children’s Bureau and the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. It continues to focus on locating adoptive families for older, hard-to-place children and brothers and sisters who wish to grow up together. Call 661-272-9996 or e-mail Marcia Morris at marciamorris@all4kids.org for more information about these children.