Budget cuts to Ohio’s adoption services will make it more difficult for the 3,000 children who need an adoptive home.

The state budget signed by Gov. Ted Strickland cut $43 million (or 40%) from adoption services, decreasing financial assistance and training available to prospective adoptive parents.

The most damaging cut removed the state Website that displayed photos of foster children and stories about them. The Website is one of the most effective tools. Because we live in a technological society, most prospective parents use the Website to find out about potential children available for adoption or foster care. The State Website has been replaced by a directory of county agencies.

Many adopted children have special needs and go to families of modest incomes. The cuts will decrease adoption as an alternative to foster care, which costs taxpayers significantly more. Cuts in subsidies to parents who adopt are also likely to decrease adoptions.

Thomas Taneff was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1988 and has been practicing law for 22 years. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and Capital University Law School. Mr. Taneff was a Judicial Law Clerk and Franklin County Probate Court Magistrate. He practices in the areas of estates, probate, estate planning, guardianships, adoption and surrogacy throughout the State of Ohio, including interstate and international adoptions. He has handled more than 2,000 adoption cases and was awarded the United States Congressional Adoption Award in 2005. He is also the Macedonian Honorary Consul to the United States.

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