Press Releases

October 21, 2005

THE ARC NORTHERN CHESAPEAKE REGION JOINS 2005 NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH CAMPAIGN

[ABERDEEN, MD] -This November, The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region will join thousands of individuals, government agencies, and child advocacy organizations across the nation in promoting the National Adoption Month 2005 campaign. The goal of this year's campaign, "Answering The Call", is to spread awareness to recruit and retain foster and adoptive parents as well as ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of our nation's waiting children.

Since 1990, the nation has proclaimed November as National Adoption Month to focus attention on the children in the child welfare system waiting for placement with families. November 19 is National Adoption Day with over 200 events held throughout the nation. There are approximately 542,000 children in foster care, 129,000 of whom are waiting for permanent families. Approximately 19,000 "age out" of the system each year without ever being adopted.

The Arc's Family Partnership Program helps children with special needs in Harford and Cecil Counties that are waiting for foster homes with families prepared to provide them with opportunities to reach their full potential. The Family Partnership Program works as a team with the foster parents, the biological parents, Department of Social Services staff, and other professionals to produce the best possible outcome for the child, whether that is reunification, adoption, or independent living. In FY05 more than 35 children were touched by this service with 6 reunifications and 6 families receiving initial foster parent training.

Throughout the month of November, The Arc is encouraging families to become foster or adoptive parents. For more information about how you can help a child find a permanent home, contact Shawn Kros, Director of Family Services at 410-879-6785, extension 373 or Email Shawn Kros .

The Arc offers a wide variety of services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Harford and Cecil County, both children and adults, to make informed choices in their lifestyles, vocations, education and recreational pursuits, and to assure stable and nurturing lives among their families and friends.