On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Monday, January 13, 2020.
What makes up a family and what can happen to the family dynamic has changed in Oklahoma over the years. Sometimes these changes require children to go into foster care temporarily and sometimes the temporary situation becomes permanent. In those cases, the children may become eligible for adoption. A recent report showed that adoption of foster kids is up nationwide. A family law practice can offer assistance in the adoption of foster children.
Two statistics that are heartening concerning the number of children looking for new families is that in 2018 there were over 63,000 foster children adopted and that number was up nearly 25% from 2014. The other statistic revealed that the number of children leaving foster care, from 2014 through 2018, increased from 21% to 25%. One sobering fact is that most families are interested in adopting young children and 50% of the children adopted were under the age of 5.
Sadly, many of the children in foster care are there as a result of the opioid crisis that has plagued the country for the past decade. While it’s best for children to be with family, this is not optimal in a home where drug use is present. While foster care is preferable to the dangerous environment created by parents who are dealing with addiction, adoption is a faster way to a new normal than moving from one foster home to another.
Families in Oklahoma who are considering adoption may wish to consult with a family law attorney. Deciding to open up one’s home to a young person in need of love and stability can be the beginning of a wonderful journey. Such a decision can be a life-changing one for a young child, and a knowledgeable lawyer can advise the client on how the process takes place.
