Let’s talk about adoption. How does adoption affect a child? Do they really feel like their new family “saved them”? Do they want to go home? Do they want to run away?

I watched as the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Families made an attempt to celebrate “Reunification Month” last month and honestly the feedback they received from the families they have “helped” was not so good. Parents and grandparents spoke out on the Arkansas Department of Children and Family Services Facebook post saying, “Yes, Let’s talk about reunification” and sharing their experiences with the department with each other. Whoever moderates that page deleted the post most likely because the feedback from family members told the stories of separation rather than reunification. Throughout the whole month of June only one post remains on their page and it celebrates foster parents at the time of reunification and describes how a foster parent feels when a child goes home.

Why did the department not have any stories from children and their families to share? I looked at the reviews on the Arkansas Division Of Children Services Facebook page. Once again family after family has shared their experiences with the department. There are heartbreaking stories posted by family members that say they were overlooked and that the department did not try to place the children with family members. Their review rating is 2.4 out of 5 stars. What does this say about the services offered by the department? Have services been offered? It appears that the department could be discriminating against biological family members by choosing to place children with complete strangers instead.

The families speaking out are obviously devastated. Some parents have even spiraled further down hill since the removal of their children. Were services offered? Did anyone really try to pick the parents up and get them on the right path? I see some post are from disabled parents. Are disabled parents offered services? Or are they discriminated against? Let’s talk about adoption because that seems to be the goal of the Department of Human Services. How does a child feel about being adopted? Are they okay with living with strangers? Do they wish in their hearts that they were back home?

How does adoption affect a child?

Minding Hearts is building advocacy and peer support groups in each state.  The groups are created to raise awareness, educate, and advocate for those that might not otherwise be heard. We are here for encouragement, education, and support. We cannot give legal advice, but we can try and direct you in the right direction with your case. Links to legal services are listed with their states. Please share and let’s grow our groups. We are here to support families and develop resources that maintain family integrity. We look forward to your support. If you would rather become active by donating, then visit the donation page.