Annual event honors families adopting and family service workers

DOVER – On November 18, the State of Delaware came together to celebrate National Adoption Day, a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of adoption and the support available to adoptive families. This special program, hosted by the Interagency Committee on Adoption, a collaboration between Delaware’s child welfare agencies, also paid tribute to the dedication of those who work to ensure children find their forever homes.

Delaware’s Lieutenant Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families Secretary Steve Yeatman, representatives from the Delaware Division of Family Services, and members of the Interagency Committee on Adoption gathered at the Dover Public Library for a heartfelt ceremony. The celebration included adoption ceremonies for families and recognition of the nearly 60 families who expanded their families through adoption this year.

During the celebration, Delaware Family Court Judge Mardi Pyott finalized adoptions for two families in front of dozens of loved ones, friends, community advocates and social workers.

In a video message, Gov. John Carney celebrated the families and all those who have opened their homes to adoption throughout the year. “You have created your families in a unique and special way,” said Governor Carney. “And you have provided the gifts of unconditional love and a protective home for so many Delaware children.” Gov. Carney also thanked the permanency workers and family court judges who have made a commitment to young people in need and recognized Delaware’s youth who have experienced foster care and face every day with courage and resiliency.

Lt. Gov. Hall-Long presented a proclamation, signed by herself and Gov. Carney, declaring November 18 as National Adoption Day and recognizing November as National Adoption Month. Hall-Long applauded the commitment and compassion of the adopting families and family service workers. “As a mom, as a nurse, I’m so humbled to be here,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “It is so incredibly important to recognize the remarkable foundation that each and every one of you are providing for all children; our foster children are loved.”

As the recognition month ends, the critical work of connecting children with families through adoption continues every day.

“As we celebrate National Adoption Day, we remember that our work is far from over,” said Steve Yeatman, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. “Countless children are still waiting for a loving family’s warmth and security. I urge everyone to consider how you can contribute to this noble cause. Whether it’s through adoption, fostering, or supporting organizations that facilitate these connections, there is a role for each of us in ensuring that every child’s right to a loving home is realized.”

In closing remarks, Division of Family Services Director Trenee Parker congratulated and thanked the families and community partners for being part of this wonderful community and giving us hope for the future. “That’s what we’re here for today,” said Parker. “One day, these little people are going to be standing up here making these remarks and doing things to take care of the citizens of our state.”

To learn more about adoption and free post-adoption resources in Delaware, call 302-633-2658 or email adoption.dscyf@delaware.gov. Visit kids.delaware.gov/family-services/adoption/.

To learn about the children in Delaware seeking an adoptive family, visit https://kids.delaware.gov/family-services/heartgallery/.

View a recording of Delaware’s National Adoption Day Celebration.

About DSCYF
The Delaware Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance use disorders, and/or have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. It has four divisions: Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services, Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, Division of Family Services and Division of Management Support Services. For more information, please visit www.kids.delaware.gov.

 

Media contact: Karen Smith, Karen.M.Smith@delaware.gov

Cabinet Secretary Josette D. Manning

For Immediate Release Contact: Joseph Smack
November 1, 2019 (302) 633-2501 or 893-8930 (m)
Joseph.smack@delaware.gov

There’s a Child Waiting for You – Opinion Editorial
Delaware Celebrates National Adoption Month and Appeals for Adoptive Families

“I want to be adopted because I want to be able to have a place to call home and a family to be my family.” AH – a seventeen-year-old in foster care. “It’s a lot better to have someone to count on, be there for you, listen to you, and support you forever!” Lindsey – a sixteen-year-old in foster care.

These are just two of the voices of the 650 youth in foster care in Delaware. While most of our children in foster care will be reunited with their families, 82 youth are currently awaiting an adoptive family.

November is National Adoption Month and this year’s focus is on the importance of family to older youth in foster care. “Compared to their general population peers, youth exiting foster care are more likely to drop out of school, become parents before they are ready, experience homelessness or end up in jail.” For every youth who becomes an adult while in foster care, communities pay an average of $300,000 in social costs over that person’s lifetime. Finding adoptive families for our youth in care is our shared responsibility as Delawareans and this is your call to action. We currently have 38 teens awaiting adoption who will be thrust into adulthood without a safety net if they do not find their forever family before their 18th birthday.

I know you’re probably thinking of all of the reasons why you cannot adopt a child. Or maybe you’re thinking that surely someone better suited will step-up. I challenge you to reach out to our Adoption Program Manager, Moira Dillon, and learn the real facts about adoption. For instance, your marital status, wealth and education are not critical requirements for adoption. We only require your willingness and ability to provide a permanent and loving home. You may also be worried that a child in foster care has “issues” or has done something wrong and you are worried about how that would impact you and your family. Know that our children are in care because of unfortunate circumstances beyond their control – something someone did to them, not anything they did. It is true that some of our children have special needs and all have experienced the trauma of being separated from their biological families; however, as an adoptive parent, you will receive support, training and resources, including a community of adoptive parents, to help you throughout your family’s journey.

Research has proven that more than anything else in their lives, children need safe, stable and nurturing families. You can give the gift of family to a child and not only forever change their life, but also help change the world, one child at a time. As you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner and give thanks for your family this year, spare a second to think of the many Delaware youth who have yet to find their forever family and ask yourself if there is an extra place at your table.

For more information on adopting from foster care, please contact our Adoption Program Manager, Moira Dillon, at (302) 633-2658 or visit kids.delaware.gov.

 

Josette Manning is the Cabinet Secretary for the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families

The Children’s Department provides services to children who have been abused, neglected, are dependent, have mental health or substance problems, have been adjudicated delinquent by the Courts, as well as prevention services targeted toward all youth. For more information, please visit https://kids.delaware.gov

The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Aging Out of Foster Care in America

Annie E. Casey, Aging out of Foster Care in America; Handout- 2013