For children aged nine and older in foster care and available for adoption, the likelihood of being adopted drops considerably when compared to younger foster children. The 2011 North Dakota Adoption Facts from the North American Council on Adoptable Children, Fall 2013, states that, in 2011, 45% of children adopted were aged zero-four, while approximately 12% of adoptions were for youth aged 13 and older. This is significant not only because every child needs permanency but also for the trajectory for their future. In calendar year 2011, 62 North Dakota youth aged out of foster care without a permanent, legal family. These youth are at increased risk of homelessness, unemployment, early parenting, and substance abuse. As sad as this statistic is, even more alarming is the fact that in 2011, 105 children aged nine and older had the formal goal of long term foster care or emancipation. This places them at very high risk of experiencing the above-mentioned outcomes.
The State Policy Advocacy and Reform Center states that ‘if foster parents and relative caregivers are provided with adequate support, they will be in a better position to provide children with permanency.’ This statement is relevant to adoptive parents also. There is a drastic need for additional post-adopt services so all kids have a permanent family. I am happy to report that the North Dakota Child and Family Services Plan (IV-B) is again taking into serious consideration the inclusion of post adopt services for North Dakota’s children in upcoming budgetary recommendations.
Joan Allen, PATH/AASK Supervisor in Western North Dakota will be leaving us to enter retirement. Her last day will be March 21st. Joan has been an incredible asset to AASK. Her strong work ethic, her clinical and supervisory skills, and her gracious patience are only some of her many fine qualities. Her work with kids and families is excellent, and she will be sorely missed by all. We wish her the very, very best life has to offer, she has earned it.
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