State Gets Adoption Program Grant Again

HARTFORD (AP) — Connecticut is receiving more than $520,800 in federal grant money to continue improving the rate of adoptions for children in foster care.

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that it is the second year in a row the state’s Department of Children and Families has received an “adoption incentive award” from a program created by Congress to encourage states to find adoptive homes for children, particularly those with special needs.

Connecticut is one of 38 states awarded the federal grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

DCF finalized 690 adoptions in the fiscal year that ended on June 30 and 643 in the prior fiscal year. State officials says annual adoptions of children in state foster care averaged about 470 a year between fiscal years 2003 and 2007.