Looking to adopt? Why not look here first?

By Carl Hunnell

If you are thinking about adopting a child, there is no need to look overseas at foreign countries. There are many children in need of a permanent home in Ohio and across the United States.

A family in Tennessee made national news in the last few days when a woman who had adopted a 7-year-old boy from Russia opted to put him on a plane by himself on a one-way trip back to his native country.

The woman said the child entered her home and soon began hitting, screaming and spitting at his mother and threatening to kill family members. She said he even drew pictures of the family home burning down and told others his adoptive family was inside as it burned.

That tragic story has put adoption back in the headlines -- and it's a good time to remind you there are more than 3,000 children in Ohio awaiting "forever families" though public children services agencies.

In Richland County, there is still just one child waiting for an adoptive home. Our agency facilitated 17 successful adoptions in 2009. But local families interested can certainly look at and consider youngsters in the state's 87 other counties.

The fact is adoption is not a decision to make quickly. It's a lifelong committment and a conscious decision that needs to be embraced by each member of the family, including other children in the home.

But if you decide it's a move you want to make, our agency is here to assist every step of the way.

Richland County is a "foster-to-adopt" site, which means we work adoptions through families who have taken the steps necessary to be licensed foster homes.

By working with our agency, these families receive free "pre-service" training over several weeks, aimed at helping families prepare for the unique needs of children who have been abused or neglected. These sessions also offer good general parenting information. The agency will also conduct a "home study" to ensure a family and its home are a good choice for an adoptive home.

To become a foster or adoptive parent, you:

-- must be a legal adult.

-- can be married or single.

-- can own or rent your home.

-- can work outside your home.

-- don't have to earn a lot of money, just enough to support yourself and your family. If you qualify and become a foster/adoptive home, you will receive financial assistance from our agency.

-- need a home safety inspection.

-- must agree to a thorough criminal background check.

If you decide you would like to know more about foster parenting and adoption, please visit the foster/adopt section of this Web site. You can also call 419-774-4100 and ask for our placement department.