Adoptive, foster families recognized
There will be superheroes and Disney princesses, food, a photo booth and balloons. That's for the children.
But Family Pathways' “How Our Love has Grown” adoption celebration event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9 is also recognition for foster and adoptive families and a recruitment tool to seek more families willing to take children out of the child welfare system and put them in their own homes.
Kortney McConnell and Nikki Macurdy, Family Pathways permanency counselors, are readying for this year's event at Monarch Place, 100 Brugh Ave.
The party is a celebration of the permanence of the adopting families.
“It's really cool for us,” said McConnell speaking of the nonprofit Family Pathways staff. “We get to see them every year and see what's changed. “
“This is our fifth one,” said McConnell. “We invite back any families that have received adoption or permanent legal custody, and, in the last two years, have opened it to anyone in the community who is interested in foster care or adoption. We are there to answer questions.”
Macurdy said, “I already have four families who are looking to be certified foster parents. I am excited already.”
The need for both foster families and people looking to adopt is great, McConnell and Macurdy said.
The permanency coordinators said the Nov. 9 event will give them a chance to talk to families about learning more about the children in the child welfare system who are eligible for permanent custody or adoption.
Some of the children need a temporary home while their parents work through their own issues, and some children can't go back to their biological parents.
There are different levels of care: foster care, which is temporary placement, foster care to adopt and adoption.
And sometimes it's not even placing a child for a permanent or even a longtime period.
Pathways Executive Director Elan Welter Lewis said, “Sometimes it's for families that just need a respite for a weekend, give the parents a break.”
Whatever the circumstances, said McConnell, Family Pathways looks to provide a nurturing home and that takes people willing to not only open their houses but take the time to take training and be cleared and certified.
Each caregiver has to pace three clearances: FBI fingerprints, criminal clearance and child abuse clearance.
“Sixty to 90 days is the fastest it can be done,” said Macurdy.
Whatever the time, it can't be fast enough. The coordinators said there were 16,000 children statewide in the foster care system and 70 to 90 Butler County children in the Family Pathways placement program alone, and it's not the only agency dealing with children.
That's why the celebration doubles as a recruitment event, said McConnell.
She said, “ The first year we had four or five families express interest. Last year, 12 families came. We are trying to get the word out more.”
“They should come to an event to see the impact that adoption can have on these kids,” she said.
Those interested in foster care or adoption should visit familypathways.net or call 724-284-9440.
WHAT: Family Pathways' “How Our Love Has Grown” celebrationWHEN: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9WHERE: Monarch Place, 100 Brugh Ave.INFO: Visit familypathways.net or call 724-284-9440.
