Bush signs the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003
Washington-AP -- President Bush signs legislation today aimed at moving more older children out of foster care and into permanent homes. The Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 gives states incentives to increase the number of adoptions from their foster care systems.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, at the end of last year, nearly 533-thousand children remained in foster care. And about half the children waiting to be adopted are over the age of nine.
The head of a non-profit adoption reform group hails the act as a positive step forward, but says more still needs to be done. Adam Pertman of The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute says it's a good law and a good policy, but he says unfortunately other pieces of the puzzle are being ignored. He says money also needs to go states that help kids who stay in foster care.
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