Event at Minnesota Zoo celebrates children adopted from foster care

The 22nd annual event sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, MN Adopt and other partners featured information for those considering adoption. Experts from state, county and nonprofit organizations were available to answer questions.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Lisa Bayley said adoption of children from foster care is an option she hopes more families will consider.

“New families are created through adoption every day throughout Minnesota,” she said. “Adoption of children from foster care means more children can find permanent, loving and nurturing families. We are always looking for more families willing to open their hearts and homes to adopting children from foster care.”

Of the 905 foster children still waiting:

43 percent are 12 to 18 years old, 28 percent are 6 to 11 and 29 percent are under 6

59 percent are siblings who need to be adopted together

39 percent are white, 29 percent are black/African American, 5 percent are American Indian, 2 percent are Asian/Pacific Islander, 24 percent are two or more races and 1 percent are unknown/declined to identify

64 percent have special needs, including physical, mental, emotional or behavioral disabilities.

“Foster children, particularly sibling groups and older youth who often wait in the foster care system the longest, need permanent families now,” Bayley said. “Becoming part of safe, nurturing, permanent families will help them heal and develop into healthy adults.”

More adoption information is available from country or tribal social service agencies or MN Adopt at www.mnadopt.org or mn.gov/dhs.