Three-hundred children in Michigan's foster care system are waiting for adoptive families to open their hearts and homes.
To raise awareness of the need, Gov. Rick Snyder has proclaimed November to be Adoption Month in Michigan and Nov. 22 to be Adoption Day. November is also national Adoption Month.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with adoption agencies and the courts works to find loving families who want to adopt. In fiscal year 2016, more than 2,000 children were adopted from the foster care system in Michigan.
"Finding homes that children in our foster care system can call their own is one of the top priorities for MDHHS," said Steve Yager, executive director of the department's Children's Services Agency. "We are extremely appreciative of the families and individuals in Michigan who step up to provide forever homes for children who need love and stability. We hope that more Michiganders will open their hearts to adoption."
People can adopt whether they're single or married. They don't have to be wealthy or own their own home, but must have adequate financial resources to provide for their family.
Children in the foster care system become eligible for adoption following termination of parental rights due to abuse and neglect. There are about 12,100 children in the foster care system, but the goal for most of these children is reunification with their families. Approximately 300 of the 2,600 children with an adoption goal are waiting for adoptive families.
New families are becoming "official" at Adoption Month ceremonies around the state this month, including Nov. 22 at the Michigan Supreme Court Hall of Justice in Lansing.
The Family Division of the Oakland County Circuit Court will celebrate the 14th Annual Celebration of Michigan Adoption Day on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 9 a.m. in the Board of Commissioners Auditorium at the Oakland County Circuit Court.
Anyone interested in adopting can contact the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange at 800-589-6273 or learn more about the children available for adoption at www.mare.org. For more information about adoption in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/adoption.
Published: Fri, Nov 18, 2016
