Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

Dan Dumas is Kentucky's adoption czar and he's working to find permanent homes for the 8000 kids in Kentucky's foster care system. Right now some 2000 kids are ready to be adopted and Dumas told Commonwealth Policy in a recent interview that he's working to make children a priority by asking "what's in their best interest?" As it is, bureaucracy and red tape stand in their way. So Dumas is calling on the legislature, and bureaucrats to step up and make some needed changes. But there's something else Dumas says: Kentucky citizens need to step up as well. These kids need homes. And while not everybody can become a foster or adoptive parent, there's other ways to help. Mentors are needed, respite-care providers and life-skills teachers. The need is there. The question is: are you willing to help?