Steve Scheer, vice president of the Illinois Hospital and HealthSystems Association, joined Bob Klutts, chief executive officer of Touchette Regional Hospital in announcing the addition of four hospitals to the statewide Corporate Partnership for Recruitment of Adoptive Families.

East St. Louis Area Hospitals Join
Statewide Campaign to Find
Adoptive Homes for Illinois Children

EAST ST. LOUIS, SEPTEMBER 20, 1999 -– Four Southern Region hospitals recently joined statewide efforts to find adoptive homes for children in the East St. Louis, Alton, and Belleville areas. The addition of Touchette Regional Hospital, St. Mary’s of East St. Louis, Alton Memorial Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s of Belleville increases the number of hospitals participating in the Corporate Partnership for Recruitment of Adoptive Families to 44.

"We joined the Corporate Partnership to meet the real needs of children – finding a permanent place for them to call home," said Bob Klutts, chief executive officer of Touchette Regional Hospital. "What better place to search out potential adoptive parents than a major facility that posseses caring individuals who want children as much as children want and need stability."

Each participating hospital collaborates with a local child welfare agency or the Department of Children and Family Services. The agencies working with the new partners include Catholic Social Services of Belleville, Children’s Home and Aid Society, Hoylton Youth and Family Services, DCFS and Volunteers of America.

Since the 1998 launching of the statewide initiative, over 50,000 hospital employees have been reached and 14 children in the East St. Louis, Alton and Belleville areas have been matched with adoptive families. Approximately 60 children are available for adoption in these areas.

"We are excited about this new relationship with these hospitals from the Southern Region," said DCFS Director Jess McDonald. "Their involvement continues to expand our capability to obtain interested and qualified families who desire to meet the needs of children awaiting adoption."

As a result of an increased effort by DCFS and other private agencies to find permanent placements for available children, statewide statistics show 7,315 DCFS wards were adopted in FY99, tripling the number of adoptions since FY97.

Adoption is an option to all that qualify, including married couples, single males or females, renters and homeowners. Financial and technical adoption assistance may be available both before and after a child in DCFS care is adopted.

For questions or assistance with the adoption process, contact the adoption hotline at (800) 572-2390.

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Formed in 1998, the Corporate Partnership for Recruitment of Adoptive Families is a statewide adoption recruitment initiative that targets hospital employees as potential adoptive families. It is a premiere example of DCFS’ determination to expedite the process of adoption and provide a supportive environment for families who want to adopt.