Michigan has done an outstanding job of achieving adoptive placements for state wards particularly since turning to purchase of service in 1976. Given that the total population of children in foster care in Michigan in 1995, including temporary and permanent wards was 14,662, this is a remarkable performance. Finally, much credit must be given to Governor John Engler and to Lt. Governor Connie Binsfeld for their continuing commitment and active participation in achieving permanency for the children entrusted to the care of the State. While it is critical to provide adoption opportunities to all permanent state wards, it is important to keep a balanced perspective on adoption.
Adoption is clearly the placement of choice for a child who is a permanent state ward.
No other form of permanency offers as much security to a child without parents. However, it is essential that one views adoption as a necessary service for children and not as desirable in and of itself. Strong family preservation programs in the continuum of child welfare services are essential in order to prevent unnecessary removals of children from their families of origin. Effective re-unification programs are essential to return children to those families of origin who can be helped to change the behaviors that caused their children to be removed. When strong family preservation and re-unification services are provided, adoptive placement is pursued only when it is necessary.