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November is National Adoption Month

Every child needs family. In Cuyahoga County there are over 900 children in permanency custody of the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS). DCFS has potential families for approximately 600 of them, but the remaining 300 still need a forever family.

Those children and the families who step up to provide permanent support for them are the focus of National Adoption Month.

So far this year DCFS has finalized 123 adoptions and have another 164 children placed with a family while they await the finalization process. We need more loving adults who are willing to open their hearts and homes to children who need a family.

This month DCFS will highlight adoption success stories, share what it takes to adopt a child, celebrate our families who finalized adoptions, and bring attention to young people who need a family.

Many children come into county custody because of abuse, neglect, a parent’s mental health issues or other issues. “When they can’t be safely reunified with their caregivers and when parental rights are terminated, we owe these kids a family,” says Beverly Torres, Deputy Director, DCFS. “November highlights foster care, and especially adoptive care, for our families and children.”

Especially important is finding families for teens, sibling groups, children with special medical or developmental needs, and youth who identify as LGBTQ+. These youth may linger in foster care longer and are at higher risk of aging out of foster care. Youth who age out of foster care are at higher risk for various adverse outcomes. But every child needs family, no matter their age or condition.

Read about Justice's Journey to Adoption.

Permanency Workers Share Experience and Insight on Adoption

Let's Talk Cuyahoga Podcast - Adoption - What is Cuyahoga County's role in finding permanent support for children in our care?

November is National Adoption Month

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