Eagle Times Staff
WATERBURY, VT — Vermont Gov. Phil Scott recently proclaimed November as Adoption Month in Vermont, recognizing the importance of ensuring every child has a permanent, safe and entrusted family.
Adoption Month is a time to celebrate and honor all people whose lives are touched by adoption and focus attention on children and youth still waiting for their forever families. There are currently about 100 children waiting in Vermont.
It is also vital to recognize the importance of children’s connections to their family of origin, whether by post-adoption contact or through reunification with birth families. More than 50 percent of the children and youth who come to the attention of the Department for Children and Families (DCF) reconnect.
Project Family, a partnership between LUND and DCF, works to find permanent families for children and youth. But more families are needed, especially for youth over the age of 14. The chances of a child under eight being adopted are almost nine times greater than for one over 14.
In 2022:
• 186 children and youth were adopted following DCF involvement.
• There were 90 agreements for ongoing contact between the birth parents and children. These numbers highlight the value of connection to a child’s birth family.
• Vermont enacted a change to adoption law, expanding access to adoption records in the state. Since July 1, more than 150 individuals have connected with the Vermont Adoption Registry to access information about their previously inaccessible records.
• More than 3,000 children living in Vermont joined their families through adoption or guardianship.
• More than 250 families received free Post Permanency Services statewide.
Many young people choose to participate in Vermont’s Heart Gallery, which allows Vermonters to learn more about the children and youth who are waiting for forever families. The Heart Gallery can be viewed on the DCF website at tinyurl.com/56k82vvd. Throughout November, National Adoption Month Posters will be displayed at all Welcome & Information Centers throughout the state to help spread awareness in Vermont.
Vermont DCF is also looking for organizations to host Heart Gallery events. Project Family has free bookmarks available for distribution, as well. If an organization is interested in elevating the needs of Vermont’s waiting children by hosting a Heart Gallery exhibition or distributing bookmarks, please contact Toni at [email protected].
To learn how Vermonters can help a child in need of a family, call Project Family at 800-746-7000 or visit the Project Family Website at tinyurl.com/54u9e7xf.
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