by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from November 18 until December 6

Parenting is an immensely satisfying experience…involving smiles, giggles, lessons-learned, wisdom and most of all love. It takes commitment, persistence and sometimes a leap of faith. And, in Jefferson County, 13 families are planning to take that leap of faith by formalizing adoptions on National Adoption Day, November 21, at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

National Adoption Day in Jefferson County is a time when courts, judges, attorneys, clerks, adoption professionals, child welfare agencies and advocates all come together to finalize adoptions and find permanent, loving homes for children in foster care.

We celebrate the joys these families bring into children’s lives and the life long journeys they are about to embark upon. While we finalize adoptions all year long National Adoption Day is an opportunity for families to rejoice. All of the county staff in attendance donate their time to be part of this special day and family members of the adoptive families come from all over the country to share in the celebration. Court rooms fill with emotion as parents commit to love and care for the children as if they were their own. Judges make the adoptions official while children and parents hug tightly thankful that they have found their forever family.

Children, Youth and Families a Division of Human Services works with families all year long who are interested in adoption or foster care. There are over 30 children in Jefferson County and over 550 throughout Colorado that are still waiting to find permanent homes. If you are interested in learning more about being a foster parent or a foster adopt parent please call 303-636-1KID or visit Jefferson County’s Adoption Services Website at http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/adopt.

Adoption Quick Facts

• Nationwide, there are 129, 000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent homes.

• In Colorado, there are over 700 children waiting. And, in Jefferson County alone there are 30 in need of permanent homes.

• The majority of children needing permanent homes are between the ages of 8 and 18.

• 80% of the adoptive parents are married couples. 20% are single parents.

• The latest adoption trends include: 5% increase in single parent adoptions in the last 3 years in Jefferson County.

• Traits that Jefferson County is looking for in prospective foster adoption families include:
o Desire to have more children
o Patience
o Good sense of humor
o Commitment to be good parents
o Flexibility
o Realistic expectations
o Willingness to seek out resources and help
o Enjoy seeing children grow and thrive

• Free services offered by Jefferson County for those considering local adoptions include an 8-week training class for potential adoptive parents.

• Local adoptions are fairly inexpensive compared with international adoptions. The average local adoption costs less then $300. The average international adoption costs $15,000.

• If you’re considering adopting a child in foster care and would like more information, please call 303/636-1543 or visit Jefferson County’s Adoption Services Web site.