County Attorney Press Releases

Neglected And Abused Children In El Paso Need Foster Families

On Monday November 9, 2009, El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Lutheran and Social Services, and the El Paso C.A.R.E. (Child Advocacy Recruitment Effort) Coalition will host the 2009 CARE Adoption Conference and Professional Seminar.

The purpose of the conference is to recruit foster and adoptive homes for local abused and neglected children.

This year's meeting will focus on promoting the adoption of teenagers who are in the system. It is much more difficult to find adoptive homes for teenagers because most individuals prefer to adopt babies or young children. In many cases, teenagers are never adopted and end up being released into the community after their 18th birthday. Without a family that cares for them, or a network of friends that can help them succeed in life, many of them become homeless and addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Adopting a child is not as difficult as some believe. The legal process is simple, and in most instances, families receive financial assistance from the government to help pay for additional expenses.

Attendees at this conference will be able to participate in breakout sessions. These sessions will provide information about CARE's local children available for adoption, post-adoption financial assistance programs, and exploration of issues regarding birth parents, adoptive families and the child, and parenting alternatives. They will also be able to have one-on-one discussions with current foster parents.

The event also provides professional training to individuals who work with abused children by presenting experts on complex needs of vulnerable children. For more information on the training sessions, please see the attached program.

Both the conference and professional seminar are free and open to the public. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available.

WHO:       County Attorney's Child Protective Services Unit

WHAT:     2009 C.A.R.E. Conference and Professional Seminar

WHEN:     Monday November 9, 2009, from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

WHERE: El Paso Community College Administrative Services Center
                   9050 Viscount Blvd.

INFO:       Norma Perú at 546-8160 Ext. 4455

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2009 CARE Conference Press Release.pdf