With the opioid crisis resulting in an increase in the number of children in the Massachusetts foster care system, there are increasing appeals for people to consider adoption.
From a traveling portrait exhibit featuring children waiting for a permanent home to mass adoption ceremonies at state courthouses, advocates are trying to highlight the demand that exists to move youth from foster care to permanent homes and dispel what they say are many myths about adoption.
The campaign came to western Massachusetts this week, where at a Springfield City Hall event Mayor Domenic Sarno issued a proclamation for national adoption month and parents who have successfully adopted children delivered moving testimonials.
Lisa Funaro, executive director of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, a private non-profit organization, said there are about 2,800 children currently in foster care in Massachusetts with over 700 of them on adoption waiting lists.
" As everybody has witnessed there has been a huge opioid problem and that has contributed to a larger number of kids coming into care," said Funaro.
While most of the children who are put into the state’s child welfare system eventually end up back with their birth parents and others are adopted by relatives, there is a need for permanent homes for traditionally harder to place children including siblings and 15-18-year-olds who are aging out of foster care.
Funaro said Massachusetts allows almost any adult of any age, married or single to apply to adopt a child from foster care.
" We are looking for families who want to commit to a child, who are flexible, and have some form of income to support a child," she said.
There are no fees to adopt a child from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
" ( Adoption) is a long process, but a very flexible one," said Funaro.
Speaking at the city hall event, Emily Boyce, who is single and lives with her mother, explained how her meeting with a social worker at an adoption event a few years ago led her to adopt two children. She is currently waiting to adopt a third.
" I just think they should some type of stability and know what love is," said Boyce.
Richard Sanderson and his wife have biological children and have adopted three children.
" It is hard to explain to people how much you can love a child who is not your own biological child, but once they call you ' mom or dad' it's all over, and you love them as much as you love your own children," said an emotional Sanderson.
Sarno praised adoptive parents for giving a second chance to a child.
" These are good kids who have come from trials and tribulations and challenges and if not for you they would not have the opportunity to move forward in a positive fashion," said Sarno.
National Adoption Day will be observed in Massachusetts on Nov. 18 with ceremonies at courthouses in the state. These are planned as festive events with musical performances. Every child being adopted that day will receive a gift bag that includes toys.
