DENVER—A Colorado adoption agency that specialized in special-needs children said it is closing because donations are down and the economy has reduced the number of families seeking to adopt.
The Denver Post reported Wednesday ( ) the Denver-based nonprofit Adoption Alliance is turning over its 200 family clients to other agencies.
“It’s, unfortunately, a sign of the times, just like many nonprofits,” said Tracey Blustein, executive director of the agency. “It’s difficult for us to sustain our operations.”
Blustein said a 2005 change in rules for international adoption also reduced the number of adoptions because it added paperwork, travel and expenses.
“In previous years, we would be able to place 60 kids per year. Now we are down to 25. Our financial resources have diminished,” Blustein told KUSA-TV ( ).
Adoptive parent Patty Ramlet said she is concerned because the final paperwork hasn’t been completed for her family’s adoptive 4-year-old son who has lived with them for four months.
“Maybe the process will be disputed or not go through or have some kinks, and I’ve waited a long time for Chance, so there is some fear there,” she said.
The Colorado Department of Human Services said no families will be left hanging through the transition process.
“For us, the most important thing is to work with them and other providers to ensure a smooth transition for their families,” department spokeswoman Liz McDonough said.
The closing of Adoption Alliance isn’t part of a trend, but the fact that such a large and established agency is shutting down is “something to take note of,” McDonough said.
Ten workers will lose their jobs when the agency’s license expires at the end of January.
Adoption Alliance has placed 2,500 children into adoption and foster care. The agency’s website says more than 90 percent of those children had emotional or mental disabilities, and some had been the victims of abuse or neglect.
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Information from: The Denver Post,
