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one church one child

Introduction

Father George Clements founded the One Church, One Child (OCOC) adoption recruitment initiative in 1989 in Chicago, Illinois. OCOC is a specialized adoption recruitment program that encourages the religious community to help recruit adoptive parents for children in the custody of the State. It is a concept that incorporates the leadership of the religious community with the expertise and resources of adoption agency officials into a partnership to secure homes for Maryland's waiting children. Currently, there are thirty-three (33) OCOC programs across the country and they are nationally recognized for placing well over 100,000 children with families. OCOC is inclusive of all religious denominations.

Maryland's One Church, One Child Program began October 1988 as a direct service program, which facilitated well over 1, 000 adoption placements. Since 1994, Maryland One Church, One Child's focus has been to provide technical assistance and support to local departments of social services in recruiting adoptive families from the religious community and in developing strategies to retain adoptive families awaiting the placement of a child. Staff actively participate in various types of recruitment events and presentations to places of worship identified by the OCOC Board of Directors or through invitations by places of worship. Partnerships are sought with faith-based organizations, corporations as well as non-profit organizations to expand the community's awareness of the need for adoptive families. In addition, staff has utilized various types of media -- radio, television and printed media -- to highlight the need for more adoptive families.

OCOC Program and Services

One Church, One Child Adoption Recruitment Program Services

One Church, One Child is a specialized adoption recruitment program that focuses on recruiting adoptive families from within the religious community.

Maryland's OCOC Program:

  • Oversees OCOC statewide functions
  • Is State-Funded and Administers (State) Funds
  • Provides technical assistance and support to local departments of social services for specialized and targeted recruitment
  • Develops partnerships and collaborations with faith-based community organizations and businesses

One Church, One Child Outdoor Matching Events

One of OCOC's major recruitment events, the Outdoor Matching Event's primary goal is to match adoptive families with children without permanent homes. This adoption recruitment strategy has been highly received by local department staff and prospective adoptive families. The event provides a non-threatening and fun atmosphere for prospective parents and children-in-waiting. Prospective families and the children are able to engage in interactive outdoor activities. Adoption matching events are by invitation only. Following the event, families expressing interest in a child may work with local departments of social services towards finalizing adoptions.