Florida Launches Explore Adoption Initiative
Highlights mothers who have expanded their families through public adoption.
Governor Charlie Crist today hosted an afternoon reception at the Governor’s Mansion to honor adoptive mothers and discuss public adoption.
The event was part of the re-launch of “Explore Adoption,” a statewide initiative promoting the benefits of public adoption in Florida.
“Florida is blessed to have so many warm and caring mothers, and fathers too, who have opened their hearts and homes to children looking for a forever family,” said Governor Crist. “These women are an example of selflessness and should be commended for their dedication to changing and shaping a child’s life.”
For two consecutive years, Florida has led the nation in the number of finalized public adoptions.
Florida set state records on the number of adoptions of children from foster care, with 3,777 children adopted in Fiscal Year 2008-09 and 3,674 children adopted in Fiscal Year 2007-08.
Last year, Florida received a nearly $10 million federal bonus for leading all states in increasing the number of children adopted from foster care.
Since July 1, 2009, another 2,646 children have been adopted from foster care.
Many of the children in foster care who wait the longest to be adopted are older than age eight, part of a sibling group or have special medical needs.
Through public education, expanded partnerships, Web-based outreach and a mass media campaign, “Explore Adoption” works to help Florida’s children find life-long families that will give them a solid foundation to hope and dream.
The re-launch event is a celebration of families who have opened their hearts and committed their lives to the children of Florida, and is a reminder that forever families are needed for the 850 children in state care currently awaiting adoption.
During today’s roundtable discussion, Governor Crist honored the following mothers for expanding their families by welcoming Florida’s children into their home through public adoption:
- April Arrington, mother of three children
- Sherri Croom, mother of two children
- Bobbi Eiler, mother of five children
- Kelly Hutchinson, mother of three children
- Cyndee Odom, mother of five children
“My husband and I always knew we wanted to expand our family through adoption. As the mother of two biological children, adopting has enriched me as a parent and a person,” said adoptive mom Kelly Hutchinson. “Going through the adoption process has been a rewarding experience, and we’ve received so much support along the way. In fact, we plan to adopt again. I encourage those considering adoption to learn more about public adoption and look within their own community where so many children in need are waiting. What you get back is the reward of knowing you have given a home and a family to a child who didn’t have either.”
In addition to helping a child and welcoming them to a family, the benefits of public adoption in Florida include:
- Costs little or nothing. Compared to many private adoptions, which can cost $20,000 or more, virtually all costs to adopt a child from the public system – the home study, attorneys’ fees, court costs and training – are covered by the state.
- Is very secure. Children are not eligible for public adoption until a judge has terminated their birth parents’ rights.
- Provides financial support. Children adopted through the public system qualify for free health care until age 18; free college tuition at any state university, community college or trade school; and may qualify for monthly financial assistance, depending on the child’s needs.
- Provides an opportunity to get to know a child. Prospective parents can search for a child who matches their interests through a searchable database on www.adoptflorida.org., and can meet and get to know a child to ensure a good match for all.
- Can be speedy. The entire process – from orientation, training, background checks, and home study, to getting matched with a child or children – can often be accomplished in about nine months.
To learn more about the Governor’s “Explore Adoption” initiative, please visit www.adoptflorida.org.
Topics: 2010, adoption, amendments, Australia, birth family, birth parents, children, college, community, counselling, education, Explore Adoption, family, Florida, foster care, Governance, government, Governor Charlie Crist, health care, Health Care, homes, human rights, identity, law, legal advice, legal implications, medical needs, moniter, monitor, mothers, news, outreach, public adoption, public education, society, stakeholders, tuition, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, young people, youth
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