(1) The general assembly finds and declares that: (a) Colorado children and youth who reside in or have previously resided in an out-of- home placement deserve and can benefit from the stability and security of permanent, safe adoptive homes; (b) In particular, adoption is an important tool to help increase the number of permanent and stable homes for Colorado's abused and neglected children and youth; and (c) Many children and youth who are adopted in Colorado have experienced prior abuse, neglect, multiple placements, and institutionalization. These prior experiences often cause physical, psychological, emotional, and developmental harm that affects these children and youth throughout their lives. (2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that it is the intent of this article 7 to: (a) Encourage families of any economic status to adopt eligible children and youth and to provide such families with benefits that will enable them to meet the needs of eligible children and youth who meet the criteria for the benefits as established in this article 7; (b) Ensure that all families and eligible children and youth in Colorado have equal opportunities to access the benefits established in this article 7; (c) Ensure that all families and eligible children and youth in Colorado have equal access to consistent information, guidance, and practices to ensure that the needs of each child or youth receive consistent consideration, regardless of the agency that is administering benefits pursuant to this article 7; (d) Ensure that families are able to maintain safe and stable homes for the eligible children and youth they adopt through benefits tailored to accommodate and support the needs of the adopted eligible children and youth; and (e) Ensure that any agency providing benefits pursuant to this article 7 has clear guidance and support in its efforts to help eligible children and youth find and maintain safe, permanent adoptive homes.
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