greater numbers than for any

greater numbers than for any other special group of children in care. Teenagers represented 52 percent of all children in care in September, 1980 (at the time of the study). Only 29 percent of parents felt they would probably accept a teenager. Sixty-two percent of foster parents had indeed parented teens at some time. The study found that parents wanted more information on working with adolescents. —Another group of children in foster care with special characteristics that have need for more foster parents are those 41 percent of children with diagnosed physical, mental or emotional handicaps. Most of this group have an emotional or behavioral handicap. While a majority of foster parents had experience in caring for a child with a serious behavioral or emotional problem, only 17 percent of parents felt they “would probably accept" such a child. Forty-six percent of parents were willing however to consider parenting a child with this special need. Many wanted more information about the child's special needs. The recruitment of families for children with special needs offers the potential to reduce the numbers of children residing in residential facilities (1,066 in September 1980). In general, foster care is more cost effective than residential facilities. —While only 9 percent of foster parents become foster parents for reasons of adoption, many more considered adoptions after foster parenting. Only 19 percent of all parents would not consider adoption. While large numbers of foster parents seemed willing to adopt, many children remain listed on the statewide adoption registry for over one year with no prospective parents in sight. Almost all foster parents felt that it would be good for a child who was free for adoption to be adopted by his foster parents. r