Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein proclaims November as National Adoption Month in Ulster County. Currently there are 134 children placed in foster care in Ulster County and over 19,000 children in foster care across New York State. In addition, there are approximately 700 foster children in New York who are now waiting to be placed in a nurturing, safe and permanent home. Over 2,000 children in the State of New York were adopted from foster care in 2013 and 24 were adopted in Ulster County, providing them a loving family and an opportunity for a brighter future while bringing great joy to the adoptive parents.
“This is a month we focus on and recognize adopted children, teenagers, foster parents and adoptive parents because we know that adoption is critical in the lives of children and youth in foster care as well as our entire community,” said County Executive Hein. “National Adoption Month helps to raise awareness of the ongoing need for adoptive parents and we greatly appreciate all the Ulster County families who welcome adoptive children into their homes and lives. It is so critical that children and teenagers have the security of a safe and loving environment; especially if there have been previous hardships they need to overcome. To learn more about becoming a foster and/or adoptive parent, please contact the Ulster County Department of Social Services at 845-334-5400.”
“We continue to be very fortunate in Ulster County that we have families and individuals dedicated to making a commitment to fostering and adopting children into safe, supportive and caring homes,” said Social Services Commissioner Michael Iapoce. “We are pleased to share that so far in 2014 we have completed 4 adoptions to date and expect to complete 4 more during the month of November. I join County Executive Mike Hein, our home finding staff and foster care unit in congratulating these special families."
“All children are deserving of a forever home and Ulster County DSS strives to find permanent resources for all of our children who have been freed for adoption,” said Deputy Commissioner of Social Services Barbara Sorkin, “It is a blessing that so many people are willing to open their hearts and their homes to become adoptive parents and, by choice, form lasting families.”
National Adoption Month features National Adoption Day on Saturday, November 22rd. On this day hundreds of children and families will have their adoption processes finalized while raising awareness of those children still waiting for a permanent family. The requirement to become a foster and/or adoptive parent involves attending a nine week foster parent training course and participation in the home study and assessment process. Please contact the Ulster County Department of Social Services at 845-334-5400 to learn more.
