Children's Dept. partners with private agencies for adoption info fair Nov. 16

Each year in Delaware, nearly 100 children find their permanent families via adoption. However, many more are still waiting to meet theirs. The First State is in need of more families interested in adopting children, particularly older children and teens, African-American youth, and children with special needs.

That’s why Delaware’s Inter-Agency Committee on Adoption, a statewide coalition of adoption agencies and organizations both public and private, has organized a unique one-stop opportunity to learn about all aspects of the adoption process in Delaware.

The Delaware Adoption Information Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Martin Luther King Junior Student Center, second floor on the Dover campus of Delaware State University. November is National Adoption Month.

The day will include an Adoption 101 workshop with information about how to adopt domestically and internationally, followed by an Adoptive Parent Panel with experienced families who will provide insight on various adoption issues including sibling groups, older children, transracial issues, openness, LGBT concerns and international adoption.

As part of the adoption fair, representatives from the Children’s Department’s Division of Family Services, Delaware licensed adoption agencies, and support organizations will be on hand all day to provide guidance, literature and answers to any questions about adoption and postadoption support. Also, visitors can view Delaware’s Heart Gallery, a series of poster-sized pictures of children waiting to be matched with their forever family.

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, or have been adjudicated delinquent by the courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. For more information, go to www.kids.delaware.gov.