Adoptive mothers aren't waiting for Utah officials and lawmakers to decide how to replenish the depleted state adoption assistance. The women have taken matters into their own hands.

Payson resident Carol Cadina and two others set up an emergency fund called Kuddle Kids at First Security Bank. They are also organizing a nonprofit corporation to solicit funds. A board of trustees would decide how to allocate the dollars, she said."The money will go directly to the therapy for the children in crisis," Cadina said.

To date, the account has a paltry $15. Wal-Mart has agreed to match the fund up to $300, she said. The mothers also intend to sell T-shirts reading "I Am Worth It" and go after grants once the nonprofit is registered.

"It is called Kuddle Kids because that is how the children learn of love," she said. "They need to feel our arms around them, holding them close, letting them know that there are people who care."

The state Division of Child and Family Services adoption assistance fund is out of money. The agency recently informed dozens of families it will no longer pay for specialized mental health care for troubled children. Parents adopted abused and neglected in state custody with the promise that the state would pay those bills.

Cadina said 9-year-old Jesse had tears rolling down his cheeks at the end of his last day the Cascade Center for Family Growth, a private Orem counseling office in which she works.

"What will happen to me now, Carol? What will I do when I need help? What will I do?" the boy had said while curled up on her lap.

Those wishing to contribute to the fund may do so at any First Security Bank.

State officials, who admitted the adoption assistance program was poorly managed, have not specified how they plan to restore the money.

"We'll fix it," Gov. Mike Leavitt said last week. "There's no excuse for what happened, and we're going to fix it."

Robin Arnold-Williams, Utah Department of Human Services executive director, said she doesn't know exactly what that means. She said she has no authority to move money around within the department. She does plan to seek a supplemental appropriation from the Legislature, but that money would not be available until next year.

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Cadina said financially strapped parents can't wait that long for money to trickle down to them.

State lawmakers have scheduled a June 13 public meeting on the issue at the Capitol. The Board of Child and Family Services, which sets policy for DCFS, will hold a hearing June 22.

Meantime, prospective adoptive families are rethinking taking on children in state custody. "I think kind of the word on the street right now is you don't do that until you see how this works out," said Becky Oakley, a DCFS board member.

E-MAIL: romboy@desnews.com

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