HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the release of $8.6 million in grants to start a new program to raise awareness about adoption as an option for pregnant women.

The four grant recipients will train health care workers at federally funded health centers and clinics to provide pregnant women with information about adoption, as well as other options, when providing counseling and other services.

"Women should know that adoption often makes sense both for themselves and for their unborn children," Secretary Thompson said. "These grants are an important step in making sure that every pregnant woman who is considering her alternatives understands the benefits of adoption."

Congress authorized the new training program as part of the Infant Adoption Awareness Act included in the Children's Health Act of 2000. The law requires HHS to develop and implement programs to train staff at federally funded health centers and clinics to provide adoption information and referral to pregnant women on an equal basis with other alternatives presented to the women.

HHS has developed a set of best-practice guidelines for the grantees to follow when providing this training. These guidelines were developed in consultation with 29 experts in the fields of adoption, child welfare, health services and counseling.

"These grants are an important step in making sure that every pregnant woman who is considering her alternatives understands the benefits of adoption," HHS Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., said. "Potential adoptive parents are waiting to welcome children into their homes, and all children deserve a chance to flourish in a loving, permanent family. This program will bring us closer to helping both parents and children."

The National Council for Adoption, based in Washington, D.C., received $6.1 million to implement a national training program. The other grantees will develop state and regional training programs. The grants will be jointly administered by two HHS agencies, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The recipients of the awards, the scope of their projects and the funding levels follow:

National Council for Adoption $6,112,916 Washington, D.C. National in scope

Spaulding for Children $1,368,166 Southfield, Mich. Statewide in scope, with a national dissemination plan

Harmony Adoptions of Tennessee $ 626,430 Maryville, Tenn. Regional in scope

Arizona Children's Association $ 515,116 Tucson, Ariz. Statewide in scope