What started as a week-long initiative of adoption awareness in 1984 by President Reagan, has grown to become a month-long celebration of adoption in the United States. As an initiative from the Children’s Bureau, the goal of dedicating the month of November to this issue is to increase the awareness around adoption issues and highlight the need for youth and teen adoption from the foster care system. In particular, the Children’s Bureau emphasizes the importance of teen adoption, as teens experience more difficulty with finding a permanent home and so often “age out” of the system. Being on their own, they are at a higher risk of experiencing homelessness, unemployment, lack of access to healthcare, as well as other social and behavioral issues, which is why adoption is critical to the child’s health, well-being, and future success in the world.
This year’s National Adoption Month theme is “Small Steps Open Doors.” Meaning that taking small steps to help the youth in foster care be adopted and provide them a permanent home can create a lifetime of opportunities for them to succeed in life. Consider taking these small steps:
Take the time to listen and talk to youth and teens in the foster care system. Consider becoming a mentor as being someone the child can turn to for support and guidance.
Get involved with a local organization that champions advocacy for youth in the foster care system, like CASA of Tarrant County!
Donate supplies or craft “welcome” boxes for the child to take to their foster homes as they await permanent placement.
Raise funds and make a donation to organizations that help children get adopted.
Little things can make such a life changing difference in the lives of the foster care children in need of support. Learn how you can speak up for abused and neglected children by visiting CASA’s website https://www.speakupforachild.org/