Child and Family Service has launched a new statewide adoption program that focuses on adoptive children with special needs from the Philippines.

The program is seeking loving families to consider adopting a child who may be older, has a physical disability or is part of a sibling group. There is a range of special needs to consider, from mild, correctable conditions, to the more long-term and serious.

"We are truly excited about this wonderful opportunity to link prospective families with these children who are so in need of a loving home," Howard Garval, president and CEO of Child and Family Service, said in a news release.

This expansion of services is aligned with Child and Family Service's mission of strengthening families and fostering the healthy development of children, according to the news release.

There are currently three children available for adoption through the new Special Needs Adoption Program. Their ages range from 1 to 8 years old. They reside in an orphanage in the Philippines. More details about these specific children can be obtained through program supervisor Lisa Barber.

Special Needs Adoptions is a growing segment as parents who have the capacity to nurture a child with medical issues or disabilities are reporting a greater source of fulfillment and sense of mission. In addition, there is a shorter waiting period for these children, which makes this route a viable option in comparison to some families who wait two to four years for a placement match.

It is a gift to care for these children," Garval said, "and we know there are parents in Hawai'i who have a great capacity to raise these children in permanent and stable homes."

Although a number of local adoption agencies handle special-needs adoption, Child and Family Service is the only nonprofit agency in Hawai'i certified to facilitate special-needs adoptions from the Philippines, the news release said. Garval believes that because of the large Filipino-American population here in Hawai'i and the extensive services available through Child and Family Service and other Hawai'i agencies, the transition for these adopted children will be eased.

For more information on the Child and Family Service Special Needs Adoption Program in the Philippines, or to view pictures and information on the waiting children eligible for adoptive placement, contact Lisa Barber at 543-8426.