Embraced by Grace Remembers the Forgotten in the Florida Adoption Search
As you carry out your Florida adoption
search, the staff at Embraced by Grace hopes that
you will consider many of the children that are currently
waiting in the Florida Department of Children and Families. There
are over 118,000 children awaiting adoption in the U.S., and
over 1,000 in the state of Florida alone.
A More Inclusive Florida Adoption Search
It is only natural for families to picture a young, healthy
child when they are conducting their first Florida adoption
search. Many people believe that it is easier
to integrate a child into their lives if that child is young.
While this may be true for some families, there are also benefits
to adopting an older child, including the possibility that:
- The child may be able to better understand the adoption
process and the changes that are taking place
- The child may have gifts and talents to share with your
family that are already well-developed
- The child may be able to appreciate the love and attention
that they receive
According to the most recent Adoption and Foster Care Analysis
and Report System ( AFCARS) report, 60 percent
of children in Foster Care waiting for adoptive families are
6 years of age or older. Many of these children are often
overlooked because of their age, background, academic record
or disability.
However, at Embraced by Grace, we know from first-hand experience
that all children have a lot of love to give and can be joyful
additions to a loving, understanding family. Therefore,
we encourage families to broaden their horizons during their Florida adoption
search.
Out-of-State Adoption from Florida: Rescuing the Needy
Florida has the highest number of available children among
all the other states in America. Unfortunately, this means that
many children will stay in foster care for years before a suitable
adoptive family is found for them. “Almost 70 percent
of the children waiting to be adopted had been in continuous
foster care for two years or more; twenty-five percent for five
years or more,” states an AFCARS report. For many
of these children, adoption from Florida to
another state is their only hope.
Embraced by Grace conducts out-of-state adoption from Florida in
compliance with the s.409.401, et seq., FS., the Interstate
Compact on the Placement of Children. A request for supervision
and services to be provided by another licensed child-placing
agency will be in writing and will include a written request
for periodic status reports on the child’s progress and
adjustment.
For further information, contact us at: 386.615.9767
