August 13, 2004

Columbus - Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH) issued the following for editorial review:

When many of us turned 18, we had parents who helped us fill out our college applications, move us into our dorms, and sent us much anticipated care packages to share with our new friends. When others of us turned 18, we moved out of our parent’s homes to rent our own apartments and start work. If we lived close enough we had dinner with them once a week, or if we lived far away we’d run up the phone bills. And, we could usually count on them when our budgets got a little tight at the end of the month.

But what if when you turned 18, you had no family to turn to?  

That’s a question nearly 19,000 children will have to answer this year, as they “age out” of the adoption system in the United States.

Adoption is an issue that people are willing to talk about, but when it comes to getting personally involved, many back away. According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, based right here in Central Ohio, 63 percent of Americans have a “favorable opinion” of adoption, and 78 percent think more should be done to encourage adoption. But acting on those feelings tends to be more difficult. The typical reaction is that “someone else will do it.” Unfortunately for the 130,000 children across the country currently in foster care, that is not the case. Though there are millions of suitable parents, many do not engage in the adoptive process for fear they are not up to the task of parenting an adoptive child or because they think adoption is a costly and unmanageable process. I have firsthand experience that proves otherwise.

As an adoptive parent of two little girls, I have personally felt the unspeakable joy that comes from welcoming a child into your home and family. The knowledge that you are giving hope and opportunity to a boy or girl who might otherwise have none is inspiring and uplifting. Through the good times and bad, I would never trade my adoptive experience. It is a part of my life, and that’s why I am working in Congress to promote the issue of adoption.

Recently, I spearheaded an initiative to provide a $10,000 tax credit for families who adopt a child. My colleagues in Congress approved that initiative. Other resources and support are available for adoptive parents, including training, incentives, and Medicaid.

But we still have more work to do. In July, the Department of Health and Human Services launched the first ever national public service campaign to encourage adoption. This new initiative, produced in conjunction with the Ad Council and the Adoption Exchange Association, will highlight older “special needs” children who need permanent homes. “Special needs” means they are children who, for various reasons, have a harder time finding families willing to adopt them. Often special needs include factors such as physical or health problems and ethnic or racial background. Other times, a group of siblings needs to be adopted together. Fifty-three percent of foster children are between the ages of 8-17, and the need to connect these youth with permanent families is significant.

You do not have to be rich, married, highly educated, or a homeowner to adopt a child. Children don’t need perfect parents, just individuals who are willing to open their hearts and homes and make a life-long commitment to love and nurture a child.

If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, please visit www.adoptuskids.org or call toll-free 1-888-200-4005.

About Congresswoman Deborah Pryce:

Congresswoman Pryce represents the Fifteenth District of Ohio, which includes Western Franklin County, Madison, and Union Counties. A former judge and prosecutor in Franklin County, she currently serves as Chairman of the House Republican Conference for the 108th Congress, making her the fourth ranking member of House leadership.  The Congresswoman also co-chairs the Cancer Caucus.