The latest statistics from the federal government are that 123,000 children in the USA are waiting for adoption (down from 129,000 the prior year) and that 55,000 children moved from foster care into adoption in federal fiscal year 2008 (up from 51,000 in fiscal 2007).

But the families need for us to cheer them along and support them in their roles as they raise the children. That’s why the Board of Directors of The Adoption Exchange supports post-adoption programs in many of our states.

Okay, so the number of waiting children has dropped. On the surface that sounds good. But the same report from the government has another number in it that I don’t like at all.

In fiscal 2008 there were 29,516 children who emancipated from foster care. That number is up by about 18%. This figure has been steadily climbing for the past several years.

The government report doesn’t project into the future. But it’s clear to me that if nothing changes, the coming decade will see 295,160 young adults discharged from foster care – to what?

These numbers tell me that I need to focus on the teenagers – the youth who are hardly children anymore. I need to focus on the young people who are about to be thrust into adulthood before they are ready and without the typical supports that families provide.

It’s past time to get alarmed. But it certainly isn’t too late to act.

There is a teenager who needs you. I hope you’ll think about it and click here to meet Matthew.

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Tags: adopt, Adopt waiting children, Adopting, Adoption Cost, Adoption Process, Adoption Statistics, Dixie van de Flier, emancipate, Foster Care, Foster Care Adoption, Heart Gallery, The Adoption Exchange, Wednesday's Child