For immediate release October 28, 1998
Contact: Melissa Forsythe or Mark Pfeiffer
Adoption Benefits Announcement
Kentucky state government employees who want to open their hearts and families to children who need adoptive homes will be eligible for financial help from the state. Governor Paul Patton today announced an assistance program to help defray the legal, medical and adoption agency costs incurred by state employee families who adopt children, effective November 1, 1998. At least 300 children whose parents’ rights have been terminated are waiting for adoptive homes each year in Kentucky. That number does not include foster children who are free for adoption. Last year in Kentucky, 449 foster children were legally free for adoption.
"One again Kentucky is at the forefront of initiatives for children", Governor Patton said. "It’s my hope this program will serve as an example for other states and private sector employers in Kentucky." At least two other states (South Carolina and Utah) and half a dozen businesses in Kentucky provide financial assistance to employees who adopt.
The new benefits program provides up to $5,000 per family for direct costs related to the adoption of a special needs child, and up to $3,000 for any other child adoption. The money will be provided by existing funds from the agency where the state employee works, not to exceed $150-thousand total in one year.
Additionally, Governor Patton has directed the Cabinet for Families and Children and the Personnel Cabinet to ensure that the state’s leave policies are administered equally for the parents of adoptive and biological parents.
"Today, we remove many of the roadblocks and barriers for caring state employees, who as one person said, 'want to create a family of the heart'. Today, we can all be proud that we have, again, put children first in the Commonwealth," said Mrs. Patton.
The Pattons were joined in the announcement by former First Lady Martha Wilkinson and founder of the Wendy’s restaurant chain and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Dave Thomas. Thomas was adopted when he was six weeks old and says, "I wouldn’t be where I am today without a family." His company has served as a national model for benefits packages for workers who adopt. Thomas, Martha and former governor Wallace Wilkinson brought the benefits proposal to the Pattons’ attention.
Families and Children Cabinet Secretary Dr. Viola Miller, whose agency works to ensure the safety of children who’ve been abused or neglected, said, "This announcement should help people across Kentucky to step forward and help the lost generation of children who’ve been damaged by languishing in a limbo of temporary residences. Governor Patton’s plan is a bold move to help those children who just need someone to step up and offer them love and a home."
In January, Governor Patton appointed a task force, Adoption 2002, to help find ways to streamline adoptions and shorten the time children spend in temporary care, once they’ve been removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect. That effort is ongoing.
November 1st , the effective date of the new benefits program for Kentucky state employees who adopt, coincides with the start of National Adoption Month.
"Adoption can be a wonderful way to build a family", Governor Patton said at a Frankfort news conference. "We believe this program can ease the burden, maintain productivity and provide equity for all state employees creating families, through birth or adoption."