For more than 25 years, the United States has celebrated adoption, starting in 1976 when President Gerald Ford established Adoption Week. It became a tradition to celebrate Adoption Week in the month of November, and in 1990, the week was expanded to become National Adoption Month. 

 The purpose of National Adoption Month is to promote awareness of children available for adoption, to celebrate children and families, and to call the nation to action to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children. 

 National Adoption Month is being recognized in Marion this year. On November 5, Children Services will receive a proclamation from the Marion County Commissioners proclaiming it National Adoption Month in Marion County. 

 In addition, Marion County Children Services and the Marion Public Library are hosting "Pathways to Adoption: An Informational Resource for Anyone Considering Adoption." This program will take place at the Marion Public Library on Tuesday, November 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. There will be speakers and information on public, private, and international adoptions.

 In the United States, more than 134,000 children are waiting to be adopted (statistics current since September 12, 2002). There are 588,000 children in foster care, of which, 67 percent are children of color and 61 percent are over the age of five. Twenty-five percent of those 588,000 children have been in foster care for over five years, awaiting their "Forever Family."
  Marion County is impacted by such startling statistics, as Children Services has 16 children currently waiting to be adopted. All are over the age of 9, and all have at least one characteristic of special needs.  

 The term "special needs" is broad and can refer to children who have a history of abuse or neglect, are older, are children of color, have brothers and sisters who want to grow up together, have emotional, behavioral or learning challenges, have been exposed to drugs or alcohol, or have physical or health challenges. 

 Children are children, however, and they all need and deserve a permanent, stable family life. 

 Can you imagine being in foster care until you turn 18 years old, then being emancipated from the foster care system to live on your own, with no family support, and no place to go during the holidays? 

 We can imagine it, but at Marion County Children Services, we do everything possible to make sure it doesn't become a reality for the children in our care.

 As a Placement Services Caseworker/Adoption Assessor for Marion County Children Services, I have had the privilege of working with seven families in their adoption of nine Marion County children in the past two years. I have also had the privilege of watching ten other Marion County children get adopted and move in with their "Forever Family." 

 I look forward to watching ten more Marion County children have their adoptions finalized in the near future, and I hope that the other children in our care who are available for adoption find their "Forever Family" soon.

 If you are interested in adopting one of the children waiting in Marion County or one of the 134,000 children waiting nationwide, please contact me (Stephanie Keirns) or Brenda Thompson at Children Services, 740-389-4275, or visit our web site at www.marionkids.com.

 To adopt through Marion County Children Services, you must be at least 21 years of age. There is no upper age limit. Married, single, or divorced persons may adopt, providing they are in good health and self-supporting. Working mothers can continue to work outside the home in many cases, and families can adopt even if they already have children. It is not necessary to own your own home.

 All prospective adoptive parents must participate in a state mandated 36-hour training course which is held quarterly, free of charge, at Marion County Children Services. The next class will begin January 9, 2003, and will last for 12 weeks, meeting each Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.

 For more information on adopting through Marion County Children Services, call 740-389-2317, or attend "Pathways to Adoption" at the Marion Public Library on November 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.