By:Roberto Sonio
Jones, R. L. & Kaufman, L. (2003, November, 08). "Warning at New Jersey Adoption Unit" The New York Times, Vol. CL111, pp.A1,13.
OVERVIEW
Helping the indigent children is a passion for every person, and such passion is of course, noble. However demonstrating it in concrete measures is even more commendable, hence the imperative for state and local governments to create and implement child-welfare programs designed to help children in need. It is undeniable however that lophole in the system are still prevalent, compounding negligence that causes complex problems in the mental, emotional and social development of these helpless children.
Adoption is one solution to the problem, so that the orphans, i.e., "children whose parents had lost custodial rights in court"(p.A13), and abandoned children can experience love, acceptance and re-establishment within the family context. These individuals are despirate for parent models who can provide guidance and support, and whom the children can emulate to become productive and responsible adults later on. According to Gordon-Conwell Seminary's Friday A.M. Community announcements, "Over 80% of orphans will end up turning to drugs and crime" (Nov. 21, 2003 edition). Contrary to this grim scenario children have the right to live peacefully, with stability, and to enjoy life's gifts such as witnessing the beauty of God's creation all around them. Adoption is one bridge that makes this possible, not only for them but for the adopting parents as well. Through adoption willing and able men and women can be given the chance to express their parenting skills. Furthermore, couples unable to have children but longing to raise their own can be blessed through this process. Adoption can be complete a household and contribute towards it making it happy home. In the U.S. statistics show that there are at least 100,000 children being processed in adoption agencies every year and countless Adoption Agencies through out the states are helping to fulfill dreams of these little ones as well as the adopting parents. Unfortunately, though, there are Adoption Agencies who have become detrimental towards achieving these dreams rather than fulfilling them.
One such Agency that needs to be brought to attention is the Southern Adoption Resource Center of New Jersey. It is �one of the half-dozen state-run offices from which workers oversee foster families and complete adoptions for about 1,000 children each year�(p.A1).
On September 14, 2000, the Child Welfare Workers of the southern part of New Jersey met and discussed the increasing difficulty among agencies to follow up and ensure a smooth and stable process of adoption resource center was brought to attention and assessed.
Three critical problems were cited. First, the transitional environment wherein the poster child must be placed prior to adoption was unsafe and unsecured. This problem surfaced when the workers failed to remove foster children from the care of a woman whose own son was suspected to have sexually molested one, if not all of them. Another case was reported of a boy who was waiting to be adopted but was sexually abused by several children in the group home where they were all living. It was discovered that while this was happening, the in-charge worker was asleep on duty.
Second, � the workers violated the state policies by not documenting interviews with adoptive families and prospective adoptive children, (and also) for not making required home visits�(p.A13). A result of the latter violation was the case of four boys starved by their foster parents over a course of time without the caseworkers ever knowing about it.
Third, they discovered that this adoption agency had the worst caseload assigned to workers compared to any other center in the state. All to often a caseworker would be assigned 25-30 children when in fact the state law required a maximum of only 12 per caseworker.
In response to these problems three propositions were brought in the table, serving also as a warning to the adoption agency. First, there will be tighter supervision on caseworkers so that negligence of the safety and security of the children will be significantly decreased, if not all together prevented.
Second, the quota of caseloads per caseworker must be strongly implemented. The Child Welfare League of America recommended 12 children per worker, and this will be complied. In the case of the Adoption Resource Center, as of February 25, 2003, they had 230 caseworkers assigned to 4,243 children. This equates to a 1 is to18 ratio. They need to hire at least 123 more staff to reach the standard ratio of 1 is to 12.
Third, the state campaign to push homeless children toward adoption must be met equally with an increase in state funding. The local governments are expected to channel sufficient funding so that more foster homes can be assisted to provide sufficiently for the children, and more qualified caseworkers towards an effectively functioning adoption center.
In response to all these reports filed New Jersey�s Department of Social Welfare committed to improving alertness and sensitivity to the needs of the children. The operation of the childcare program will be monitored systematically, the hiring more of qualified and responsible caseworkers will be ensured, a more effective coordination processed will be implemented between workers and foster parents, and finally a zealous guarding of the right of each child to live and become a better person.
The report on the Adoption Resource Center must serve as a warning and challenge to each adoption unit throughout the U.S. There is an imperative to improve the quality of service to the children and the community at large with the full support of the Department of Social Welfare in each state or government. On the other hand, the cooperation of the community as well as the individual is integral. Together, a brighter future for the indigent children will be better secured resulting to lesser social problems as drug addiction and crime in the country.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1. What specific lessons from this article impressed or helped your understanding on the matter of adoption?
2. What is your experience or level of interest in this topic?
3. What do you see is the importance of adoption to a socially stable community?
4. What are the factors that contribute to a successful adoption program?
5. Why did the New Jersey Southern Adoption Resource Center receive warning? Do you think a warning is enough?
6. Who can be blamed for the trouble on the adoption unit?
7. How relevant was the discussion on child welfare workers to the concern to the indigent children, the adoption workers and the foster parents? What was the relevance if any?
8. Can you include the adoption of the child as part of your ministry? How can the fact of adoption affect your general ministry?
9. How can you get involved in an adoption unit program, or one like it?
10. What scriptural teaching can you use to support a ministry towards adoption, i.e., indigent children, foster parents, and Adoption Agencies?
IMPLICATIONS
1. The fact that Grace Christian Mission Orphanage took me in is significant for the following reasons: First, through their ministry, I came to know the Lord deeply with our nightly devotions and church services. Second, they provided me opportunities to achieve my ambitions. I wanted to complete college studies so that I could get a job that would provide more economic stability. Third, they motivated me to return my blessings to other indigent children, and serve the Lord this way.
2. Church ministries today would do great good to a society that is becoming more diversified each time if it is incorporates an equally diversified demonstration of spiritual caring and nurturing to meet their needs. Indeed, this must include ministry to indigent children, homeless people, single parents, and foster families. The purpose is equally relevant to everyone, to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the needy, to nurture and disciple new believers towards Christian maturity, and to give all the glory and honor to God. How much care and compassion do our individual and church ministries extend to orphans and the indigents? Is there any program in our weekly activities that include teaching and rescuing them from the danger of drug and alcohol addiction and crimes?
3. I want to acknowledge this unique ministry of caring and loving orphaned children by missionaries dedicated towards building and establishing Orphanages. Grace Christian Mission Orphanage in the Philippines has been the tool God used to change my life. And as an expression of my deepest love and gratitude, I would like to serve the Lord by working in the orphanage so that I too can help change lives. The needs are great: need for prayer and support from Christian brethren, need for an improvement in the quality and quantity of service, and ultimately, the need to bring even the souls of these orphaned children to the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ.
--rsonio, 2005
