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PAGE 13 - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, MARCH 19.1962 AGE* RACE* HANDICAPPED CHILDREN** Under Ag.5 20% AgiS-13 41* Ag§ 14 and Over 39% Latino--2% Otter--3% ? '* chl,drtn *• trm for adaption and doas not nacaaaarMy cormpond to tha numbar of ctoldran for whom adoption is activaty considered. Soma adoiaaoann wfto are frae for adoption do not widi to ba adopted end go inttaad into foetar care or independent Irving. However, there am a* many or mom children Mho will eventually be legally rme for adoption, end their statu* ae to race and handicap is likely to approximate the percentages above. Emotionally Disturbed ̂ •25%B Multiple \ Other Handicaps \ Handicaps 30% \ 20% Remembering When VANews I **The above percentages relate to 289 children who ere legally free for adoption end who have been officieily dlegnosed as being mentaily retarded or physiceily or emottoneily handicapped. Obviously, meny. other edopteble children bear tha pay etiological tears of a disrupted childhood. Springfield Report _^_^__^^StateRep. Dick Klemm Illinois Adoption Fortunately for foster parents, couples and adoptable children, the General Assembly has made it easier for a child to find a new home with loving parents. In fact, the Department of Children and Family Services is highly optimistic about the benefits of legislation, enacted last year, that became effective Jan. 1. In fiscal year 1980 (which began July 1, 1979), 458 Illinois children were freed from their abusive and neglectiful parents and made eligible for adoption. The number of children rose to 595 in fiscal 1981. But, because the law has been revised, 883 children are expected to be freed for adoption this fiscal year, which ends June 30. The revisions were ex- tensive, reflecting philosophical changes that put more value on the rights of children and reduced the legal standing of parents who abuse and neglect their children. Previously, for example, many Illinois courts required a family to be committed to adopting a specific child even before anyone knew if that child's real parents would be declared unfit. The old way left committed families and anxious, needy children in a sort of limbo for months or even years. Now a judge can find a parent unfit based on the "preponderance" of evidence. "Clear and con­ vincing" evidence is no longer required to free children from abusive, neglectful parents. The revised law also gives priority to foster parents, the couples who care for children who are essentially homeless. Now, foster parents who have cared for a child at least one year have priority in adopting that child. Officials recently counted 1,368 adoptable children in state care. Twenty percent of these children are under 5 years old, 41 percent are 5 to 13 years old and 39 percent are at least 14 years old. Fifty-nine percent of the children are white, 36 per­ cent are black, 2 percent are Latino and the other children, 3 percent, come from other backgrounds. Some of these children are handicapped. The count included 259 adoptable children among whom 25 percent are retarded, 25 percent are emotionally disturbed, 30 percent suffer multiple handicaps and 20 percent live with other handicaps. (Naturally, these figures do not include those adoptable youngsters who are burdened with the psychological scars of a disrupted childhood). The General Assembly revised the state's adoption law last year to save lives. The typical child receiving foster care in Illinois is a person without a permanent family for more than four years. "Foster home care costs the state a minimum of $3,300 a year per child and institutional care runs about $19,000 annually per child," Gregory L. Coler, director of the Department of Children and Family Services, testified before the legislature last year. "But the major savings," Coler emphasized, "will be in human lives and per­ sonalities. No longer will children be traumatized by frequent shifts from foster home to foster home. In­ stead, hard decisions will be made, plans will be monitored and children will be placed in permanent settings as early as possible." It's certainly gratifying to be able to report such positive improvements. . , M : _ yV : : ;.'i mm -I This picture was taken near the Riverside hotel when it was operated by Fred Justen. Note the snappy, one-piece bathing suits with skirted effect. The "Old Bridge" at Pearl street is shown in the background. Spring Official Saturday Youth On Probation Needed: Help For Troubled "I used to think, Why doesn't someone do something about it? Then I realized that I was that someone." Bob Marshall is referring particularly to juvenile problems-young people who are having difficulty ad­ justing and often end up in trouble with law en­ forcement officials. He thinks more people should consider themselves "the someone" to help the area's young people. This coordinator of Volunteers in Probation- Prevention uses that motto in recruiting community helpers for the program, one which supplements the functions of probation of­ ficers at the McHenry County Court Services department. Most people do not realize that assistance is needed in this area, he said, but after being introduced to the program, most volun­ teers become aware of the need and enjoy their working with young people. Craig Leigh, director of the program, said the volunteer program has been used since 1971. It was originally designed to provide assistance to youth through the Court Services department, but also takes referrals from the Youth Service Bureau. The program has a staff of about 30 members, from all walks of life. Their one similarity is a desire to help the troubled people of the area. At this time, a recruiting drive is going on to increase the organization size to over 50 people, so that a pool can be developed allowing assignment to cases based on mutual in­ terests and needs, rather than necessity. The program continually needs male role models from the community to volunteer their services. A list of boys who have been referred to the program is maintained and an effort is made to provide adequate role model assignments, according to Leigh. Consider the experience of one of the volunteers, a nurse, who was assigned a troubled teenage girl. "When I first set eyes on her, I knew we were going to be friends. She didn't have much to say, but I knew we could get along, so I asked her if she would like to go for a coke. That was over a year ago, and since then, Mary and I have gone for many cokes, been out to eat, shopped together, and seen the area's parks. She's made thanksgiving dinner for me. We've shared laughter, \ tears, good times and bad. She has become one of my good friends." "Mary is on probation under the supervision of McHenry County Court Services, and I am a volunteer. She is a 17-year- old who lives in a foster home, where I visit weekly. We talk about some of the important issues that took place during her week, and what we will be doing. Sometimes I just listen. Together we have set goals for her to accomplish, in­ cluding the completion of high school." The typical youngster referred to the volunteer program is about 15 or 16, and basically needs an older person who remembers the difficulties of growing up and can spend some time helping another individual. Past referrals have in­ cluded a 12-year-old boy whose parents are divorced. With an overbearing and abusive stepfather, the eighth grader often appears depressed, unlike his other classmates. This young person needed someone to provide a personal approach to his life, to become in­ terested in him-a man to take him to basebpll games, a movie, fishing. Another boy, an adopted 14-year-old, lives with his mother, who has beeen married three times. His grades at school continue to drop because he thinks that no one cares. Marshall recommends someone to spend a little time with him to show that he is wanted. Some of the volunteers, Leigh said, provide specialized types of services. One is a reformed alcoholic who prefers to work with people who have an alcohol problem. The volunteer shares his experiences with the referral and offers ad­ vice which he has learned through similar problems. Others are counselors or teachers who can provide tutoring to students whose problems are affecting their school work. "One of the things we're looking for is people to be a role model," Leigh said. "A person whose life is running smoothly would be a good role model." Volunteers are instructed during an initial training session and are then required to attend regular meetings to discuss problems and offer suggestions to others, Leigh said. Individuals who offer their time are asked to contact the young person assigned to them at least once a week, Marshall said. If an activity cannot be planned each week, he suggested a telephone call to show the youth someone cares and is thinking of him. Often times, the referral can be included in the volunteer's family activities. "Teenagers respond to concern." Marshall said. "A volunteer is an unpaid in­ dividual who is concerned about the youth of today. I think that's what lakes the program spev People interested in volunteer lag some of their time to assist youth through the program can call Craig Leigh or Bob Marshall at 338-2040, extension 300. An orientation meeting will be held at McHenry County Department of Court Services, 2200 North Seminary avenue, Wood­ stock, 111., March 29, at 7 p.m. Everyone who has en­ dured this winter will be relieved to know that, ac­ cording to astronomers at the Adler Planetarium, spring begins officially at 4:56 p.m., Central Standard time, Saturday, March 20. Unfortunately, the arrival of spring is no guarantee that the weather situation will improve immediately. As Adler Planetarium Associate Astronomer James Seevers explains, "for astronomers, the beginning of spring has nothing to do with the weather." "What astronomers call the beginning of spring is actually the moment at which the sun is directly above the equator as it crosses from the southern to the northern hemisphere." That "moment" when the sun crosses the equator is called the Vernal Equinox. "Equinox" means "equal night" and refers to a time when the length of days and nights are the same throughout the world. Ac­ cording to Seevers, however, theiterm "equinox" is a little misleading . "Actually, our day is about 12 minutes longer than our night because of the refraction of the sun's light near the horizon at sunrise and sunset." After the Vernal Equinox the days will gradually become longer in our nor­ thern hemisphere and the nights will become shorter," Seevers said. It is true, of course, that the days are longer in spring and summer than they are in fall and winter The reason has to do with the fact that the earth is tilted on its axis at a 23-degree angle. During our spring and summer, the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun so the sun's rays hit our Dart of the planet more directly. "That means that the sun's path across the sky is higher on spring and sum­ mer days and we experience more than 12 hours of sun­ shine each day," Seevers said. In our fall and winter the situation is just the opposite. "Our part of the earth is then tilted away from the sun ahd there are less than 12 hours of daylight. The sun's rays strike the northern hemisphere at a lower angle in fall and winter and the sun's path across the sky is lower and shorter." Offer Wildlife Seed Pack Wildlife seed packets for food and cover are again being offered by the Department of Con­ servation, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Resources Winters and man are hard on the wildlife by destroying the food supply and by the cold and desolate winters. To help more wildlife survive the winter a food strip can be planted. This plot will grow and mature into food for use in late fall and winter. Each seed packet will seed an area of a quarter acre and will provide enough food for the wildlife over a 40-acre area. The packets contain Sorghum (Milo), Millet, Soybeans and Sunflowers. The food strip should be in a brushy area or along a fence row or in an odd area of a field. The plot should be long and narrow for maximum edge effect. It should not be wider than 20 feet. Keep in mind that wildlife must be able to reach the food patch without exposing itself to natural enemies. This area cannot be grazed if it is to produce food for wildlife. Seeding is done in the spring when the soil tem­ peratures reach 65 to 70 degrees. Do not seed deeper than 3/t inches deep. The packet can be ob­ tained by calling or visiting the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation district office in Woodstock at 1143 N. Seminary avenue, phone 815-338-0099. Signup ends March 31. The packet will be made available in May. Editor's Note: Following are representative questions answered daily by VA counselors. Full information is available at any VA office. Q. When are dividends paid on participating National Service Life In­ surance policies? A. Dividends are normally paid on the anniversary date of the insurance policy. No application is necessary Q. I was injured while on active duty in World War II, but have never filed a claim for compensation with the Veterans Administration. Is it too late to do so now? A. No. There is no time limit for filing a claim for compensation. Contact the nearest VA office for assistance. Q. I am a former Prisoner of War of World War II and was confined for 28 days. Am I entitled to dental care through the VA medical system? A. No. With few ex­ ceptions, dental care benefits are available to veterans with service- connected dental conditions only. Q. My brother died a few days ago. When his VA pension check comes on the first of the month, can I cash it to help pay for the funeral bill? A. No, you must return the check to the VA. If you authorize the services, you may apply for reim­ bursement of your expenses when you have received your final bill. Demonstrate Ancient Art Of Arranging Ikebana, the ancient art of flower arranging in the Japanese style, using fresh flowers and branches of many varieties, will be demonstrated by Claudia W. Mandabach, featured speaker at the annual meeting of District I, Garden Clubs of Illinois. The event takes place March 25 at the Kaskaskia hotel, LaSalle, 111. The gneral meeting will begin at 11 a.m., with lunch being served at noon. Reservations must be made with Mrs. Samuel Haight, 2213 Elmwood road, Peru, 111., 61354, no later than March 19. Call May McCoy, Publicity Chairman, (815) 398-9214 for details. LIMITED TIME ONLY Eye Bank Needs Donors March is National Eye Bank month, a time of year when the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness and eye banks nation-wide seek to remind people of the urgent need of donor tissue for corneal transplants. "In 1981, the Illinois Eye Bank supplied surgeons with a record amount of tissue for 373 corneal transplants," Edgar T. Britton, executive director of the ISPB said. "Unfortunately, though, we also have a record number of 235 people in Illinois who are waiting for a corneal transplant. "We do make every effort to alleviate the number of people on the list, but ultimately, any success in reducing this number is due to the generosity of those A ti&N g«rrH£*l who are willing to donate their eyes after death. The need for donors is very real. People often wait as long as six months for tissue and some have been waiting over a year," Mr. Britton said. People wishing to donate their eyes need only to carry a signed (and witnessed) universal donor card. Persons interested should contact the Illinois Eye Bank by writing the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness, 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, 111., 60604 or by calling 312-922-8710. r SERVICE NEWS i Buy one gallon...get | the second at V2 price!! Assignment For Breede j Roy H. Breede, son of Mrs. Walter Kuck of McHenry was promoted to Sp. 4 in February, 1982. Sp. 4 Breede is currently stationed at Fort Ord, Calif., serving as an M P. In May of this year he will be assigned to Detachment D of the 42nd Military Police group, Wormsfiedl office in Worms, Germany. His duties will be as custom inspector which includes surveillance of military sales facilities for unauthorized use, possible black 'marketing and in­ spection of outbound household shipments of military personnel. Sp. 4 Breede's wife, Deborah, and son, Jason, will join him in Germany in June. BALTIMORE ACRYLIC FLAT I WALL FINISH Limit one coupon per purchase. Offer good for one gallon only at half price. I I I I I I I L. BALTIMORE AM ColohA \ OPEN SUN. 9-12 Neighbor: I hear you have a new baby brother at your house. How do you like him? Little Judy: Oh, he's okay, I guess. But there's lots of things we needed more. THANK YOU To All The Citizens of District 2 who worked for and supported me in the Primary Election Charles "Chuck" Weingart 4720 W. ELM ST. 385-1116 OFFER EXPIRES MARCH 26. 1982 I I I -I DRINKS . BRING THIS AO TO APTIE TRIE RESTAURANT IN HOLIDAY PARK | AND RECEIVE 10% OFF DINNER t DRINKS GOOD TUESDAY | THROUGH SUNDAY. ONE COUPON PER GUEST CHECK. SINGLE " DISCOUNT ONLY. I E X T E N S I V E M E N U F E A T U R I N G O U R E V E R P O P U L A R Am \8S STEAK sgso I N C L U D E S S O I J P S A 1 A D & D E S S E R T VISIT GREEN APPLE GIFT SHOP FOR EXTRAORDINARY GIFT VALUES •/.Mill EAST OFRT 12 ON rr. 114, INGLESIDE. ILL. (312)546-1222 MAKE YOUR EASTER RESERVATIONS TO EAT WITH CHUCHU ANDTHE< EASTER BUNNY APRIL 11 IS IT TIME TO EXERCISE? LET'S GET TOGETHER! •Monday-Wodnosdoy-Frlday •9:00 am to 10:00am •6 Weeks (18 Sessions) •Cost $30.00 NURSURY CARE PROVIDED I CLASSES BEGIN MARCH 29TH Pleas* Call, Doanna Carstens Nancy Costello 385-3117 1-675-2479 SHELPHERD OF THE HILLS LUTHERAN CHURCH PER MO. • NO installation charge • NEW fully automatic softeners • TWO year option to buy with • FULL rental fee deducted • ONE phone call can answer any questions 312-259-3393 *1980 soft\ » •! II I iW ^ A n x i o u s t o m a k e t h e r i g h t a r r a n g e m e n t s f o r Y ^ w e d d i n g ? t The details fall into place after a Welcome Wagon NEARLYWED PARTY We have some lovely gifts for you. Plus useful suggestions and helpful information from a wide range of wedding professionals Call and lefs reserve a place for you. Carolyn Farrington I'm usually at home 385-7980