Most of the children in Colorado's public child welfare system range in age from 2 to 18.  Abuse, neglect or other family issues prevent them from living with their birth parents.

Some of these children may be referred to as having "special needs" because they:

• are 5 years old or older, or

• have sisters and/or brothers who must be placed together, or

• are African American or Hispanic, or

• have developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome or

•  have other physical, mental or emotional disabilities, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).