Adoption
_ Between 118,000 and 127,000 children have been adopted in the United States every year since 1987. Of these adoptions, approximately 20,000 are international, 50,000 are from foster care, 25,000 are domestic agency adoptions, and 25,000 are private, independent adoptions. More than one-third of Americans have seriously considered adopting, but no more than 2 percent have actually adopted. Only 4 percent of families with children (1.7 million households) contain adopted children. On average, children waiting for adoption have been in foster care for 43.8 months (more than three-and-a-half years).
Approximately 25,000 U.S. children “age out” of the foster care system each year with no adoptive family.
One of the primary barriers to adoption is fear. How will this child turn out? How will we overcome difficult behaviors? Will the child assimilate well to our family? These are all valid questions. Our best advice is to seek clarity, rest, and direction from the Lord through each step of your journey. Pray specifically. Our God is a God of details. We only have to look at His creation to realize this truth.
Approximately 25,000 U.S. children “age out” of the foster care system each year with no adoptive family.
One of the primary barriers to adoption is fear. How will this child turn out? How will we overcome difficult behaviors? Will the child assimilate well to our family? These are all valid questions. Our best advice is to seek clarity, rest, and direction from the Lord through each step of your journey. Pray specifically. Our God is a God of details. We only have to look at His creation to realize this truth.
National Adoption Awareness Month
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November is National Adoption Month, a time to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. The 2011 initiative focused on building capacity of adoption professionals to recruit and retain parents for the 107,000 children and youth waiting for permanent families in the U.S. foster care system.
For more information on how to become involved, visit:
For more information on how to become involved, visit:
National Adoption Day
_ On this day during National Adoption Awareness Month, judges across the country make it a priority to finalize pending foster care adoptions. In 2010, 4,500 children were adopted and supporters hosted over 350 events to celebrate the spirit of this special day. National Adoption Day is held each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The Dave Thomas Foundation (Wendy’s) is the lead founding and funding partner of this coalition, which also includes Freddie Mac Foundation, Children’s Action Network, The Alliance for Children’s Rights and Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.