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Governor Gerald L. Baliles has designated the month of November as Adoption Month in Virginia.
This observation indudes National Adoption Week, traditionally observed during Thanksgiving week. “For several years, this meaningful American family season has been a time to call attention to waiting children who are growing up without the secure foundation of a permanent family to call their own,” ; said a spokesman for the state’s Department of Social Services. .
The department reports that, as 4 of Sept. 30, some 5,874 Virginia children were living in foster care. At , that time, 689 of these children were ‘ legally free for adoption, with child ! welfare workers seeking permanent families for them. During the most ; recent fiscal year, 370 Virginia chili dren were adopted through the pub■ lie social service system.
Many people interested in adopting are childless couples seeking ; healthy infants; but, due to a variety ; of social trends, very few healthy in■ fants are available. However, cou, pies and single adults who are : genuinely interested in becoming ; parents can find special children who are seeking permanent homes.
Most of these children have one or more characteristics that define I them as “special needs” adoptions or ; “hard-to-place” children. Specific ; characteristics include: being above ; five years of age; having a physical,
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