Officials want to double number of foster youth ages 9 and up
who are adopted
San Jose – County officials are seeking up to $2.1 million in state and federal grants to double the number of older foster children who are adopted.
The state reports Santa Clara County has about 200 children ages 9 and up who are living in long-term foster care without a relative, meaning more than 18 months.
But of the roughly 240 foster children (of all ages) who are adopted each year, only about 20 of those are ages 9 and up, said Frank Motta, a project manager in the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency.
“The county would like to double that number,” Motta said. “But one of the things that’s difficult is families often believe older foster children are ‘set in their ways’ or have behavioral problems that can’t be helped. Part of this grant is to demythologize adoption, and provide incentives for adoptive families.”
Motta said studies show foster children – who often have been removed from their birth parents and placed in Child Protective Services – can often draw benefits from being adopted.
“They know the family has made a commitment,” he said.
A new state law to increase adoption rates makes the money available to counties during the next three years.
The county applied for the grant last week. The California Department of Social Services will announce winners on Jan. 9.
If awarded, the Santa Clara County Department of Family and -Educate foster youth about the adoption process.
-Educate foster families about becoming adoptive families.
-Develop a process to match children with families that have compatible traits.
-Provide post-adoptive services and support to adoptive families, including mental health services and peer groups.
On July 12, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law that lets the California Department of Social Services disperse funds to increase adoptions of older foster children.
San Francisco and Los Angeles counties get a combined $2 million annually for this purpose, thanks to the legislation. Additionally, two counties will be awarded funding from a competitive grant process.
The amount of money available for fiscal year 2007, which begins July 1, is $1.7 million for these two counties. In fiscal years 2008 and 2009, $1.4 million would be available for the two counties.
Motta said the county applied for $1.2 million from the state, but would get about $900,000 in additional state and federal funds if the grant is awarded.
Tony Burchyns covers Morgan Hill for The Times and county issues for the Dispatch.
Reach him at (408) 779-4106 ext. 201 or tb*******@*************es.com.
