Aren many of the abused or neglected children hardened, difficult and unruly?
Many of the children waiting for adoption through the state child welfare system have endured serious trauma and losses in their young lives. Nearly half of all foster children have special needs, meaning they are either developmentally delayed, physically disabled or suffer mental or emotional disabilities. These are often the children who have the greatest need for a loving, stable and nurturing home. That’s why, child welfare administrators say, the adoption process focuses so heavily on building trust among prospective parents and the children they want to adopt. The free prospective parent training offered ensures expectations are realistic for everyone involved. Through the state, all adoptive parents receive training on the dynamics of abuse and neglect and child behaviors and they have the opportunity to meet with other adoptive parents to learn what they may experience.
