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Adoption programs on state chopping block

Programs that help adopted children, foster parents are on chopping block of state budget.

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer Updated 2:56 AM Saturday, July 11, 2009

HAMILTON — Local programs that put or keep children in loving homes could be casualties of cuts as state lawmakers work down to the deadline to create a new budget amid crippling recession.

Butler County Children Services Director Jeff Centers said he is aware of six programs on the block to be reduced or eliminated.

A program that pays $300 a month to foster parents who adopt children could be reduced to $215. It was just increased from $250 in January, where it was for 20 years.

“It may make it more difficult for us to find permanent homes for children in the future,” Centers said.

Subsidies to help adoptive parents with short-term respite or other care may end. A $125,000 annual grant to recruit adoptive families could dry up. And a $50 stipend for foster and adoptive parents to cover babysitting and gas when they attend training is likely no more.

“If those are eliminated or cut back, that only affects the children directly,” said Deanna Henderson, who has adopted six children. “The majority of the kids are special needs, and it’s not about the money, but the money really helps supply the things that they really need.”

Henderson’s 4-year-old adopted son, for example, has sensory problems and tends to hurt himself. She’s hoping for state funding to buy a special bed with padded sides that otherwise would cost her $7,000.

“I think it (the cuts) will affect recruitment and retention,” said Henderson, who also is vice president of a local support group for foster and adoptive parents.

Another program on the block gives family members of children removed from their homes help in taking care of them. That program, set to be eliminated, pays $3,500 over three years to qualifying families.

Plus the county could lose $280,000 in general operating revenue, and other cuts to mental health and drug and alcohol programs could further clog the system.

“The ones who are going to suffer the biggest impacts are going to be the families, and ultimately the kids,” Centers said.

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Excellent point Laurel. However, there are those who post here who only see any issue in terms of absolutes, so variations or subtleties are lost on them. If you dare to correct them they let fly a stream of insults such as you haven't heard since grade school.

I would venture to say that the majority of either type of home (biological parents or adoptive and yes even foster) are loving, stable and happy. But that doesn't make for a very good headline or news story does it?

Kellee
10:46 AM, 7/12/2009

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VAS -

you are wasting your time trying to point out to M(oron) that he/she is wrong. All you will bring on yourself is a barrage of 1st grade level insults.

Kellee
10:31 AM, 7/12/2009

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(Lacks any)Common Sense -

I never said all adoptive homes are loving, but you implied that none were. There are just as many homes where kids are with bio-parents (if not more) that are abusive. If there weren't we would have no need for the foster care system.

And to M - before you point it out, I do see that I made a typo in my previous post. So what! Unlike you I do not claim to be nor do I think I am perfect.

Kellee
10:30 AM, 7/12/2009

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well M - once again standing for "moron" - Marcus was a FOSTER child, he was never adopted by the Carrolls. Are you trying to say that the Jabba the Hut piece of trash he had for a biological mother was a better option for him? The system did fail Marcus, but he was not an adopted child. So YOU are wrong AGAIN. St least you spelled everything right this time.

Kellee
10:25 AM, 7/12/2009

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Please post correct information. Marcus Fiesel was not in an adoptive home...it was a foster home.

VAS
9:05 AM, 7/12/2009

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