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November Is National Adoption Awareness Month
SPOTLIGHT
BY DIANE GRAY
November is the month that is set aside to raise awareness for the hundreds of thousands of children throughout the United States that are in need of adoptive families that are in foster care. Former President Bill Clinton expanded awareness from one week to the entire month of November in 1995. Right now in North Carolina, there are more than 12,000 children in foster care that are awaiting for their forever home and to be loved.
Darius Moore, family recruiter specialist for Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, said there is an urgent need for foster families. The agency needs families that are best suited to fit the needs of the child. Children have trauma, and foster parents must be prepared for what the child needs.
Here’s a few requirements on what it takes to be a foster parent for Children’s Home Society of N.C.
- You must be at least 21 years old - You can be married or single. (Couples must have been married a minimum of one year) - Have fewer than 5 children under 18 years of age - Have sufficient income to meet the needs of your current family - Must provide children with their own bed, adequate drawer and closet space for their personal belongings - Be legal resident of the U.S. and North Carolina at the time of application - Are required to complete annual training to maintain your foster care license - May own or rent your home - Must have or have access to reliable transportation - Complete TIPS and MAPP training - No felony convictions involving child abuse, spouse abuse or crimes involving violence - No substantiated Child Protection Services investigations
- No DWI within the last 5 years - Willing to submit to a thorough assessment of your family and home.
Children’s Home Society of N.C., established in 1902, is one of the largest foster agencies in the state. It serves all 100 counties and has 13 locations throughout the state. Its support system is available during the entire foster to adoption process and beyond.
“People sit and wait to begin their foster care journey,” Moore said. “Sometimes the right time hasn’t come. If you’re reading this article, now more than ever, this is the right time.”
To become a foster or adoptive parent, contact Darius Moore at Children’s Home Society of North Carolina at 919-6008757 or email dmoore@chsnc.org to receive the booklet “Be The Difference, Foster Today”.
“They may not have my eyes, they may not have my smile, but they have all my heart.” -unknown
Diane Gray is the author of “Faith, Hope and Perseverance,” her debut book about her 50-year journey to finding her biological family. Gray is a writer, a speaker, guest blogger, ambassador for Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, adoption advocate and lobbyist. She has been a guest on numerous television and radio shows to talk about her passion for adoption. She has two sons and three grandchildren. Gray and her husband Mark live in Blounts Creek. Contact Diane at fhpspeaker@yahoo.com.
