The Dominguez family and their three newly adopted boys pose for a picture after the Osceola County ceremony.
Family Services of Metro Orlando, the lead agency for Community-Based Care in Orange and Osceola counties, celebrated the finalizations of 36 adoptions of local foster youth during ceremonies in Orange and Osceola counties November 12 and 17. The adoption ceremonies were held in recognition of National Adoption Month.
“As an adoptive father, I’m excited to help welcome these children home and give them the opportunity to spend the holiday season with their new forever family,” stated Judge Robert M. Evans of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. “Each year during National Adoption Month, we come together to celebrate these new families and continue to encourage community members to remember the many children and youth in our area that still need a place to call home.”
Last fiscal year Florida set a new state adoption record finalizing 3,674 adoptions. All four of Family Services’ Case Management Organizations – Children’s Home Society, Devereux, Intervention Services and Kids Hope United – exceeded last year’s adoption goals. The state is continuing its efforts to increase the number of adoptions, and currently, statewide adoptions are up 17 percent compared to the same time last year.
“We are grateful for the support and dedication of our partner agencies,” states Greg Kurth, CEO of Family Services of Metro Orlando. “With their help, 36 of our community’s most vulnerable children have been given a loving, permanent home. This is evidence that as a community, together we can give a child a childhood.”
For more information on adoption or foster care services, call 877-6-MY KIDS.
