Governor Charlie Crist’s Message Regarding “Explore Adopting Day”
For the second straight year, Florida has a record number of foster children adopted into loving and caring families. More than 3,700 foster children were adopted during the past year – up from the more than 3,600 during the year before.
And I am especially proud that since becoming Governor, the number of Florida children in foster care has declined by nearly 10,000.
However, our adoption successes represent much more than numbers. They represent restored hopes and dreams for the future. These hope and dreams comes from the dedicated adoptive parents who give foster children safe and loving homes.
To encourage even more families to consider adoption, I have declared next Wednesday, July 22, as Explore Adoption Day in Florida.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recently recognized the State of Florida as the “2009 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace” in government. One reason for this recognition is that state and public school employees may qualify for a one-time adoption benefit of up to $10,000.
I invite you to visit www.adoptflorida.org to meet wonderful foster children looking for a home – and you can call 1-800-96-ADOPT to learn more. Teenagers, sibling groups and children with medical issues are often challenging to place, but I am confident generous Florida families will be willing to open their hearts and their homes to these precious children.
Thank you very much and God bless you all.
