HJ0063LRB103 39963 LAW 71121 r

1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Adoption has a lifelong impact on individuals and 
3families; and
 
4    WHEREAS, There are more than 2 million adopted children in 
5the United States and more than 60,000 adopted children living 
6in Illinois; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Adopted children deserve support to thrive; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Illinois seeks to be a welcoming home for adopted 
9children; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Children, including those who are adopted, spend 
11much of their time at school and school-related events; and
 
12    WHEREAS, School mental health professionals, including 
13school social workers, school counselors, and school 
14psychologists, provide support to all students and may provide 
15mental health care to students with identified need; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Being adopted approximately doubles the odds of 
17having contact with a mental health professional; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Specialized training about the unique experiences 
 
 
HJ0063- 2 -LRB103 39963 LAW 71121 r

1of adopted children and families impacted by adoption enhances 
2best practice mental health services in a school setting; 
3therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
5HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
6SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we encourage all members of the 
7General Assembly and their staff to learn more about and have a 
8greater awareness of the issues impacting adopted children, 
9including the impact adoption can have on one's mental health; 
10and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That we encourage all employees of the State of 
12Illinois, including but not limited to employees of the State 
13Board of Education, the Department of Children and Family 
14Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of 
15Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Healthcare and Family 
16Services as well as employees of school districts and 
17nonpublic schools, to learn more about and have a greater 
18awareness of the issues impacting adopted children, including 
19information about adoption-competent mental health services to 
20help adopted children living in Illinois to thrive.