Many awaiting adoption move from one foster home to another, which can further harm them and lead to additional problems. The Senate budget aims to solve these problems. Trained counselors evaluate each call and those that meet certain criteria are referred to local offices of the Department of Children and Families to investigate the allegations and provide services if needed. The children are assessed to determine if they have been harmed and whether they could safely remain with their families. In most cases, families are given short-term help and the case is closed.
Some families however are likely to abuse their children again.
These families are given intensive in home services such as family builders. If this is not enough to safeguard the child, the family may need extra supervision. Even for those children placed in a foster home, the department s goal is to reunify the families or place the child in a permanent adopted home. At any time, 1,700-1,800 foster children are eligible for adoption. Their foster parents or a relative will adopt about 70 percent of these children.