The Purtugal News reports that two committees were created by Portugal’s government recently to see how they could simplify laws in order to accommodate a more speedy adoption process. Stating that “the dragging on of adoption processes goes against the best interests of the child,” Portugal’s Minister for Welfare presented the plan to keep the adoption time frame to 12 months or less.
With 96% of children who are taken from their homes being institutionalized, Portugal is working toward creating a “bank of families” to get the children into temporary homes, with the aim being to find a permanent, loving situation as quickly as possible.
“Sometimes it is necessary to intervene in a child’s best interest but a child’s best interest is not being institutionalized,” stated Manuel Rodrigues, Head of Living Worlds Association.
