Gay dad heads adoption program in California

June is the month for Father’s Day and the month most popular for marriages. For some children in Orange County, this year may be the first that they celebrate Father’s Day as part of a new adoptive family. A new effort in San Diego County hopes that, by next Father’s Day, many more foster children will be celebrating the holiday with their new adopted families.

The effort, called the Exceptional Families Adoption Campaign, was initiated by a man and his same-sex partner, who have adopted five children out of California’s foster care system. The couple has collaborated with a county supervisor to bring the project to life. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness for the need of adoptive families from all walks of life, including non-traditional families such as same-sex couples.

Each year there are approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children in California’s foster care system. Of that number, about 400 children are adopted into new families each year. Sadly, around 45 children who are ready for adoption are left out each year because there are not enough adoptive families to take them. This new campaign aims to place all eligible foster children into adoptive homes so that no more children are left out.

The choice to adopt can be a rewarding one for both the parents and the child. Parenting through adoption gives an adopted child a chance to thrive in a loving home. But many potential parents believe the process is too expensive or too difficult for them to be successful. Family law concerns like adoption can be made less overwhelming or confusing with the assistance of an attorney. An experienced attorney can explain the steps involved and assist interested parents in California in successfully navigating the steps required to adopt a child.

Source: Del Mar Times, “Solana Beach father of five Dave Roberts spearheads Exceptional Families Adoption Campaign,” Kathy Day, June 10, 2013