Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 13, 1990 TAG: 9006130533
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: CHRISTINA A. SAMUELS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
However, many prospective adoptive parents find the adoption process lengthy and intimidating. A home study conducted before a child is even placed can take one to three months, and selection of a child takes an additional one to six months.
In addition, the majority of children up for adoption are black - and meeting the guidelines required of adoptive parents has traditionally been difficult for black families.
The One Church, One Child program identifies and helps black families interested in adoption by working through churches in the black community. Its motto is "Claim Our Own . . . Adopt a Black Child." Last year 142 children were placed in families because of the efforts of the program.
"They can reach black families in a way that we never could," said Lynne Edwards, program manager for Adoption Services for Virginia.
One Church, One Child concluded a series of regional meetings at High Street Baptist Church in Roanoke on Tuesday. The program's board of directors and other regional officers met with state adoption agency workers.
"This is an opportunity for the program to have dialogue with agency people about what we can do to help," said the Rev. Wilbert Talley, president of Virginia's program.
"Our ultimate goal is to place waiting children with waiting parents," said Charlene Taylor, the Roanoke regional coordinator. The program does so in several steps.
First, potential parents are oriented to the program through their church with fliers and other promotional materials. Some of the myths about adoption are dispelled at this time.
For instance, adoptive parents can be single or divorced, working mothers or more than 40 years old. They can have a modest income, other children or a disability.
If a family is interested in adoption, they can fill out an application or call a toll-free number, (800) DO-ADOPT. A home study is then conducted to determine if the family can support a child.
A child is matched to the home and given a chance to visit with the prospective parents. If the family is willing to adopt an older child or a group of siblings, placement can be much faster.
If all goes well, the child is put in the home for a six-month trial period, during which the family is visited by adoption workers to make sure the placement is going smoothly.
Families who choose to adopt through One Church, One Child must meet the same requirements as any other adoptive family. However, the church does play a supportive role.
The program's involvement officially ends when a prospective family or parent has been identified, but the regional coordinators often will serve as liaisons between the parents and the state adoption agencies if a problem does come up.
One Church, One Child was founded in Chicago by Father George Clements and has been in Virginia for five years. The program is funded by the Virginia Department of Social Services.
by CNB