| Many rural families may consider adopting a child with special
needs, but find it difficult to identify the local resources
necessary to grow their families. Approximately 1,000 youth and
children throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin are
waiting for adoptive families. Encouraging adoptions in rural
communities means finding more potential homes for these children.
The Rural Expansion of Adoptive Communities and Homes (REACH)
project helps children and youth with special needs currently
living in foster care find permanent homes in rural communities.
Its objectives include a particular emphasis on outreach to
Native American communities.
The Professional Association of Treatment Homes (PATH) recently
was awarded a five-year federal grant from the Department
of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and
Families to fund this vitally important initiative. PATH is
accredited by the Council of Accreditation and is a member
of Child Welfare League of America.
With the help of rural families and communities with open
hearts and open arms, the REACH project seeks to increase rural
adoptions in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin by 50 percent
over the next five years. By joining with current public and
private agencies to provide recruitment, education and training
programs, and pre- and post-adoption support services in rural
communities, REACH will come closer to achieving this goal. |
