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Foster parent urges county support for SCAFE funding for special-needs adoptions
Summary
A foster parent asked commissioners to support Special Child Adoption Funding (SCAFE) to help adoptive families provide intensive therapies and reduce the number of children who remain in group or residential care.
Paul Kelly, a foster parent from Alexander County, asked commissioners during the public comment period to support SCAFE funding (Special Child Adoption Funding) for a small number of children with high therapeutic needs who are unlikely to be adopted without extra supports.
Kelly described his experience parenting an eight‑year‑old boy from Alexander County who spent more than five years in DSS care before placement with the Kellys. After arranging neuropsychological and genetic testing, Kelly said the child was diagnosed with an intellectual disability, low IQ and fetal alcohol syndrome and requires extensive supports including multiple weekly speech, occupational and physical‑therapy sessions and 24/7 supervision. Kelly said his household reduced work hours by an estimated 30 percent to care for the child.
“I'm asking for your support to approve SCAFE funding for these very few special therapeutic level children who would most likely not be adopted without the additional support and funding needed,” Kelly said. He argued that adoption with family supports is preferable to longer stays in group homes or residential facilities that may cost more and provide poorer outcomes.
Kelly asked the board to consider SCAFE in upcoming budget discussions and thanked commissioners for their time. Commissioners did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting; staff noted the item should be considered during the budget process.
