Children Freed for Adoption
What does this measure?
This indicator tracks the number of children legally freed for adoption in Orange County, New York, from 2018 through 2023. “Freed for adoption” refers to children whose parental rights have been terminated, making them eligible for adoption. This measure provides insight into the pipeline of children who could be placed into permanent homes, though adoption completion data is not available for these years.
Summary Statement
Between 2018 and 2023, the number of children freed for adoption in Orange County declined significantly.
This downward trend—from 40 in 2019 to 13 in 2023—may indicate fewer terminations of parental rights, changes in child welfare practices, or increased emphasis on family reunification. The absence of adoption completion data for these years limits understanding of how many freed children ultimately achieve permanent placement.
Sources
Orange County Department of Social Services
http://orangecountygov.com/content/124/1374/1508/default.aspx