BUFFALO, N.Y. — Permanent adoptive families are needed for children and some young adults in Erie County. Adoption Star works with birth parents, adoptive parents and they offer counseling.
Currently, there are 73 children ready to be adopted in Erie County.
Michael Hill, Associate Director of Adoption Star said the children are in need of a family. He admits one wrinkle they have seen recently is the opioid epidemic.
"We are seeing kids impacted by the opioid crisis in a very big way. We are seeing children, newborns comeback with a positive toxicology screen," Hill said.
Adoption Star educates prospective adoptive parents so they are not in the dark.
"We want to disclose as much information as we can to the prospective adoptive families so they are truly able to commit to that child," Hill said. "We would be remiss if we weren't honest with families and disclosing that information because it's not in the best interest of the child to not disclose that information."
The A-OK program stands for Adopt An Older Kid started in January. Family Advocate Melanie Schmidt said there is a need for families to adopt older children.
To learn more there will be A-OK classes over the course of two weekends: January 12 & 13 and January 27 & 28 at Adoption S.T.A.R.'s main office:
131 John Muir Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
Families can sign up on-line. Click here to find out how to adopt.
To hear what you need to do to adopt, watch the video below.
