Summary of Children's Aid and Family
Services' "Path to Adoption"


In 1999, Children's Aid and Family Services pioneered an innovative program called Path to Adoption. Path to Adoption was created especially for families interested in adopting school-age children.  Sadly, too many of our older children have endured neglect and abuse.  It takes special parents to help these children face and overcome emotional, behavioral and educational challenges.

Path to Adoption offers 18-hours of specialized training with an adoption specialist to address a variety of adoption issues.  Another program component is a 12-week internship at one of the agency's pre-adoptive group homes (PATH). During that time, prospective adoptive parents have the opportunity to meet and spend time with the children in our care, participate in recreational activities with the children, observe individual and group therapy sessions, learn parenting techniques and talk with the PATH team about the unique needs of each child.

Home study, adoption placement, and adoption supervision for school-age children are provided at no cost to the prospective adoptive parents. Due to the special needs of these children, the state of New Jersey offers adoptive families a monthly financial stipend, as well as Medicaid for the adopted child.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please call Shannon Prescott at 201-226-0300 or via email: adoption@cafsnj.org