Family Services of Metro Orlando (FSMO), the lead agency for Community-Based Care (CBC) in Orange and Osceola counties, today announced 
its 2007-08 fiscal year-end adoption achievements. The organization, which transitioned to the CBC model in 2004, served more than 8,500 children and more than 5,000 families, and reports the following successes in the 2007-08 fiscal year:
* placed 194 children in adoptive homes, surpassing the state mandated adoption goal outlined in FSMO’s contract with the Department of Children and Families by 43 percent
* provided permanent placement for 31 difficult to place youth, ages 12 or older, representing 16 percent of the 194 children adopted
* placed more than 48 percent of the children adopted throughout the year with at least one of their siblings, totaling 37 sibling groups adopted
In addition to its adoption accomplishments for the year, the organization boasts the following successes:
* First Lead Agency statewide to create a formal Post-Adoption Services Program and to advocate ending annual renewals of the Adoption Subsidy Program
* Created the Heart Gallery of Metro Orlando in November 2006. Since its development, 20 percent of the children featured in the photo style exhibit have been adopted and the exhibit has been featured at 15 different locations throughout the community
* To date, the Heart Gallery of Metro Orlando has received over $130,000 in cash and in-kind donations from local corporations and individual sponsors including Darden Restaurants, Kiwanis Club of Orlando, The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation, The Martin Anderson-Garcia Andersen Foundation, Inc. and the Universal Orlando Foundation
* Since its launch, the Heart Gallery of Metro Orlando has generated more than 150 inquiries from potential adoptive families, 34 of which have initiated the necessary steps to become a foster or adoptive parent by participating in the Model Approach in Partnership in Parenting (MAPP)
Under the CBC model, FSMO is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of child welfare services including adoption and foster care services. FSMO works with several Case Management Organizations including Children’s Home Society, Devereux, Intervention Services and Kids Hope United. This year, all four agencies exceeded their fiscal year’s adoption goals.
The successes of FSMO and its Case Management Organizations were mirrored throughout the state of Florida with the recent announcement of the statewide preliminary adoption numbers by Governor Charlie Crist. This year, Florida set a new state adoption record by finalizing 3,674 adoptions, as of June 30, 2008. The previous state adoption record was set in fiscal year 2003-04 at 3,389.
“Through our community-based system of care, the well-being of our children has become a priority to the people of the state of Florida,” said Jim Kallinger, Florida’s chief child advocate. “It is imperative that we continue to work diligently to make sure each child in Florida finds the adoptive family they need. I thank Governor Crist for raising the public’s awareness of this important issue.”
Since its inception, FSMO has managed a network of nearly 100 corporate, community, and contracted providers to protect children and strengthen families. Specifically, FSMO has worked with community partners such a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids – the Dave Thomas Foundation, City of Life Foundation, Westgate Resorts and Community Service Center, among others, to establish community partnerships and programs that benefit children and families in central Florida.
In 2006, FSMO also earned national recognition with the acceptance of the Congressional Angel in Adoption Award for its contributions toward the welfare of children in the U.S. foster care system. The organization and its partners were nominated by Congressman John Mica (R-7th District-FL) for their local efforts to enrich the lives of foster children in central Florida.
“This year’s achievements are a result of the dedication and commitment of our partners and community members,” stated Greg Kurth, CEO of FSMO. “Through a streamlined approach, FSMO and its partners have worked to provide the community with services that enhance the efficiency of the overall child welfare system as well as provide safer communities for our children and families. Moving forward, we look forward to continuing and building on our existing partnerships, with a specific focus on engaging corporations, churches and individuals in the community.”
Wow. For a state that is SO BUSY working to help the lives of children’, you’d think that they would be helping adoptees who inquire about their legal rights to their non identifying information. Unfortunately, although the state has promptly “cashed” their checks of payment, no services have been provided and adoptees are being given the run-around FAR TOO MUCH.
WAKE UP FLORIDA.
Your time for exposure is very near!
Adoptees deserve their records, and until your state laws enforce that right, its your job to give us what we are currently, legally entitled to. Taking our money and slamming doors in our faces with no reply is un-acceptable.
For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, the state says they are “too busy” “understaffed” and “can’t afford” to give adoptees their non identifying information. This is a violation of our legal rights. We are entitled to this and Florida is taking part in discrimination to adoptees, the ones they apparently “care so much about” in the above article ( when it makes them “look good.” ) too bad they slap us in the face when nobody is looking.