F-rktay. Feb. 15, 1963 Second Sedlon
CAN WE ADOPT?
QuEsTIONS ,AND ANSWERS:r
Q. Is there more hope today for the couple
who wants to adopt a baby?
A. Yes, because there are:
1. More babies than ever available for adop-
tion.
2. Fewer applications from prospective
adoptive parents.
Q. Why are there more babies?
A. The increase can be attruted in part to
the large number of "wartime babies" who
now are of child-bearing age.
Q. Why are there fewer couples seeking to
adopt children?
A. Adoptive parents usually are in their late
twenties or early thirties. People currently
in this age range were born during depres-
sion years when the nation experienced a
lower-than-normal birth rate.
Q. If here are fewer applicants, does this mean
adoption standards will be lowered?
A. Definitely notI The adoption agencies STILL
are concerned with proper placement of chil-
dren with well-qualified prospective parents.
Q. What kind of family has thebest chance of
getting a child?.
A. Those who can provide stable loving homes.
It is as simple as that. Our agency's purpose
is to provide children with loving parents.
lllilllllllllllllllllnllllllnlllllUl|
Catholic Children's Services
410 Marion
Seattle 4. Washington
Dear Fefher 4uebe:
We are |nteresfec} ;e being fosl'r parerlh al)d
would like more informafion.
Mr. & Mrs ....................................
Address ......................................
City ............................. Zone ......
Illlllillllllllllllll Ill
Cathol'm Northwest Progress--7
Q. Is there a fee for adopting a child?
A. No. Families may make a contribution if
they wish.
Q. How does the agency decide if a couple
qualifies?
A. The decision is made after careful evalua-
tion of the couple is done through inter-
views with a trained caseworker, medical
reports from family physidan and personal
references.
Q. What help is provided the family after the
child is placed in the home?
A. The agency helps with whatever adjustment
problems may arise. It also assists the fam-
ily and its attorney in completing the child's
adoption in the court. -
Q. How long does adoption take?
A. tYwcumstances may vary, but most adoptive
families receive children today in less than
seven months,
MYTHS VERSUS FACTS:
Myth 1: "Wecan't adopt a baby because of our
age."
FACT:
Myth 2:
FACT:
Myth 3:
FACT:
Myth 4:
FACT:
Myth 5:
FACT:
Myth 6:
FACT:
Myth 7:
FACT:
There is no specific age barrier to
adoptions except for infants. These
requirements are not as restricting as
many people believe.
"We already have children (natural or
adopted) so we can't adopt any more."
Not true. Many parents desire larger
families and turn with success to adop-
tion agencies. The well-being, f young-
sters is the prime consideration, not
the size of adoptive family.
"We don't make enough money."
A good home is not measured by the
amount of income, but on how well
the money is handled. Many adoptive
homes would be childless today ff the
amount of income were a major con-
sideration.
"We would have to own our home."
It's not necessary to own your home,
but you should provide comfortable
living arrangements for the child you
adopt.
"We must provide medical proof of
our inability to have natural children."
No. Agencies accept many couples
whose doctors can fizad no reason for
their inability to have children.
"We don't get to choose our child."
Each prospective parent is encouraged
to express a preference. When the
agency suggests a child, the final de-
cision is up to the parent.
"Adoption agencies purposely delay
the placement of babies."
Not so. The agencies' responsibility is
to place children with loving parents
as quickly as possible. If there is delay,
it is tmually due to legal complica-
tions or tim need for more medical
evaluation.
CAN WE BECOME FOSTER PARENTS?
What are foster parents?
They are couples who voluntarily assume
responsibility for full-time temporary care of
children, who are not related to them. These
are children separated for a time from their
own families. They are under supervision in this
case, of Catholi Children's Services.
How many faster parents are needed?
AT LEAST once and a half times the num-
ber of children under care at any one momenL
The number of foster homes has been ap-
proximately 375. At least 475 homes are re-
quired to provide the exactly appropriate homes
for this number of children, who are as individ-
ual as your own children.
are the qualifications far feslmr pueals?
--A valid, Catholic mamriege
m Sound physical
-- Sound mental
--Financial a
--Enough sp'e "i Iflhe home
h Genuine lave of chihtrea
€flmt is the gcealust meed
Homes for ehiktre and for children
of minority gxcml
Catholic Childlwmn'lr, mmulees
410 Marioa
Seattle 4, Waddmjmm
Dear Father IdUeke:
We are infer.steel ;n e|eg-fosfer parents and
would like more ;nfarmathtm.
Mr. & Mrs." ...................................
t(res e ** e. eee e m ee.. ee e a o.o ee4e e ae o • am • le
City .......... , ..................... 7a ......
Hew Iomj the children stay?
As long as care away from their own
parents is necessary; generally a short period;
sometimes indefinitely.
Must both Parents be Catholic?
,i,)0.e parent mtmt be a 'practical Catholic,
assuring
What will it cost us to be foster parents?
Mostly love. The agency tries to defray
most of the financial cost of the children's
care.
Wky should I be a foster parent?
,use .Gd enus ¢i!dren, sos
ie'S, to each us as well as all of us.
