Judge Jeffrey Beigel of the Shelby County Probate & Juvenile Court reminds the community that November is National Adoption Awareness Month and a time to recognize the importance of adoption in the lives of parents and children.
The Court oversees an average of 27 adoptions yearly. It noted that adoptions come in all shapes and sizes. Some involve an abused, neglected or dependent child. Some involve a relative or step-parent making a commitment to a child’s life. In other cases the natural parents have bravely decided that adoption is best for a child. The common denominator in all of these adoptions is love.
In 2023 the Court heard 27 petitions for adoption. Adoption permanently terminates a natural parent’s rights and the adoptive parent then permanently becomes the parent of the child.
Approximately 23 children are currently in foster placement through Shelby County Children Services. The Court noted that Shelby County is fortunate to have a good foster care system. Foster-to-adopt parents, Children Services, and the Court Appointed Special Advocates all play a vital role in the process.
Ashley Sherry of Shelby County Children Services explained that “adoption is not the call to have the perfect, rosy family. It is the call to give love, mercy, and patience. Every child deserves a permanent home where they can be loved, cared for and kept safe. In Ohio, there are approximately 3,500 children waiting to be adopted. These children need a family to consider their own and create stability and structure in their lives. Many children within the foster care system will not return to their biological family and this is where prospective families can help. Becoming an adoptive parent is an opportunity to change the lives of children in need.
“Working with the agency adoption staff is a great way to start the process of adoption. All prospective adoptive parents must have a home study completed, which includes information gathering, training, criminal background checks and more. This process can take up to six months to complete. Adoptive parents can be married, single, widowed or divorced, a home owner or renter, with or without children of their own, and have an income to meet household needs – whether employed or not. Adoptive parents must be committed to caring for children as a positive role model.”
Bridget Davis, Director of the CASA program for abused and neglected children, also stated “A CASA completes monthly home visits with the child in their foster home for a year or more before the adoption can be finalized due to the mandated time frame the biological parents have to be reunified with their child. When reunification cannot occur with parental rights being surrendered or terminated, a child is able to be adopted by their foster parents. Seeing the case progress from the onset of abuse and neglect allegations in a non-safe environment to ultimately being adopted into a safe forever family is very rewarding. The adoption of a child is one of the best outcomes we get to witness.”
“There is a great need for loving adoptive parents and no shortage of agencies and services to help. The most joyous event in our Court is the adoption of a child in need. We want to celebrate those who have adopted and encourage those thinking about adoption to take the first steps in the process,” said Judge Beigel.
A great information resource for those considering fostering and/or adopting a child can be found on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website at https://jfs.ohio.gov/.
Shelby County Children Services is always in need of foster to adopt families; for inquiries please contact Ashley Sherry at 937-498-4981.
