The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

TWO Free National Movement senators want changes in the adoption and fostering processes in the Bahamas.

 Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis said the Department of Social Services needs more staff to help, adding that the lack of staff can cause children to get lost in the system.

“One of the problems is social services needs to be properly resourced,” she told The Tribune this week. “They are an integral part of guardianship and adoptions. We need them to have the resources so that they can check on children; they can make the necessary applications regarding children. They are also the entity responsible for inspections of foster homes and making sure everything is going well.”

The Tribune has received several reports of people being frustrated by the adoption and foster processes.

Senator Maxine Seymour, the shadow minister for social services, said she has heard cases of people who were interested in adopting a child becoming discouraged because they weren’t contacted for years.

She called on the ministry to revamp its rules so that, in protecting children, young ones aren’t robbed of the chance to get a loving home.

“I support thorough background checks and investigation of individuals and their environment whenever they are offering themselves to foster or adopt,” she said. “However, we must not allow the bureaucracy and the lack of efficiency of which we process applicants to impact the livelihood of children to find homes.”

Last week, Social Services Minister Myles Laroda said the government is caring for 150 children awaiting adoption. He urged Bahamians to consider adopting or fostering a child so every child can potentially experience a loving and safe home.

“The government does as well as it can to provide love and care, but there’s nothing that’s going to replace that common touch, that maternal touch for a child,” Mr Laroda said.

He added that his ministry is trying to make the public more open to adopting children and stressed the importance of not overlooking children with disabilities during the adoption process.