In response to proposed changes in state adoption policies that give preferences to families with the same ethnic background as the child being adopted, the Iowa Department of Human Services is requesting input from the public.

A public hearing will be held at the City View Plaza in Des Moines Oct. 19 at 10 a.m.

Human Services was notified in July that the current state policy does not comply with the federal Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994. The proposed rule change would bring the Iowa adoption policy into compliance by the October, 1995, deadline.

The change would wipe the ethnic preference system from the department’s rule book. It is an attempt for removal of any barriers in placement, Human Services Program Manager Charlsie Parrish said.

The change is also designed to reduce the length of time children that are available for adoption through the state must wait to be adopted. Supporters of the proposed change also hope to ensure that no one is denied the opportunity to become an adoptive parent solely on the basis of race, color or national origin.

“In some parts of the country minorities wait longer for placement. This is an effort to ensure placement in a timely manner,” Parrish said.

The rule has to be approved by the Council on Human Services and Legislative Rule Committee. The hearing is part of the rule-making process, Parrish said.

The intent of the federal Multiethnic Act was to ensure that minority children don’t have to wait for placement longer than white children.

“The change is to acquire an adequate pool of families to match the needs and characteristics of the children, so you need cross-sectional families. This is done through aggressive recruitment,” Parrish said. “Race or ethnic background can not be the only consideration in the placement of children. Our practice reflects the Multiethnic Act.”