Adoptions Up in Fredericksburg

Officials from the city of Fredericksburg will join a host of other localities this Saturday in celebration of National Adoption Day.

For Fredericksburg's Department of Social Services, the annual event has recently come to mark a growing number of adoptions.

"Over the last six years, we've had a large increase in adoptions," said city Foster Care and Adoptions Supervisor Natalie Newton in an interview.

Newton says that in the years 2005 through 2011 the city saw a 214 percent increase in the number of adoptions compared to the years 2001 through 2005.

Over the last year, the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services has averaged 33 children in foster care at any time.

In that time 13 have been adopted, the most the city has processed in a single calendar year according to Newton.

The majority of the children whose adoptions are processed by the city social services department are victims of abuse or neglect.

"I'd say 60 or 70 percent," said Newton. "The other percentages could be at risk of neglect or they could be a child in need of services, basically a family who can't physically provide for their child."

Newton attributes the increase in adoptions to recent laws making it easier for foster parents to adopt children placed in their care, a process she calls "foster-to-adopt".
 
Saturday's celebration begins at 11 a.m. at the Fredericksburg Circuit Court. On hand will be representatives from the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services, the United Methodist Family Servies, Rappahannock Area Court Appointed Special Advocates, members of the Fredericksburg Best Practice Court, Fredericksburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, and the Fredericksburg Circuit Court.

Judge Gordon Willis will be on hand to finalize two adoption, and Dr. Jaiya John will deliver a speech to those assembled. Following the events at the courthouse, the group will get a tour of downtown Fredericksburg aboard the trolley before stopping off at the Fredericksburg Baptist Church for a reception.