Kansas Communities Helping Find Forever Families A presentation to support adoption and foster care services of the Kansas Department for Children and.

Adoption

Kansas Communities Helping Find Forever Families

A presentation to support adoption and foster care services of the Kansas Department for Children and Families

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas1Child Welfare in AmericaEach year, thousands of families are affected by child welfare issues.

In fact, there were 397,122 children in foster care in the U.S. as of Sept. 30 2013

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas

Each year, thousands of families are affected by child welfare issues.

In fact, there are 397,122 children in foster care in the U.S. 2What does the need look like in Kansas?There are 6,712 children in foster care in Kansas. (as of 1/31/14)They live in our neighborhoods, attend local schools and worship in our congregations.

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas There are 6,712 children in foster care in Kansas.

They live in our neighborhoods, attend local schools and worship in our congregations.

3Kansas Unsung HeroesFoster ParentsRelative CaregiversAdoptive Parents

Strong Families Make a Strong KansasWe salute the compassionate people who make a difference by serving as foster parents relative caregiversadoptive parents

Thanks to these unsung heroes, many formerly abused or neglected children and teens will eithersafely reunite with their parentsbe cared for by relativesor be adopted by loving families

4Providing Love, Support and Stability through Adoption

Strong Families Make a Strong KansasFamily StoryOption 1 arranged for a family to come and share their foster/adoptive storyI would like to invite up a family who is among these Kansas Unsung Heroes.

Option 2 - Select and download the story to your computer at the link: http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Agency/SDFBCI/Pages/Family-Stories.aspxI would like to share with you the story of one family who allowed us the honor of a video interview for National Adoption Month last November.

5Still, more families are needed!

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas

Most communities are urgently seeking more everyday people to help these youth overcome their troubled childhoods and realize their full potential.

6families that will provide a loving home

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas

No matter what their age, every young person in foster care benefits from a meaningful connection to a caring adult who becomes a supportive and lasting presence in his or her life.7families that will lovehard-to-place childrenSuch as older children and teens, sibling groups and youth with special needs.

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas

We have a current need to increase the number of foster homes who will work with older children and teens, sibling groups and youth with special needs. 8families that will provide a forever homeThere are 358 Kansas children who are available for adoption and need to be matched with a forever family. (as of 1/31/14)

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas

There are 358 Kansas children available for adoption who have no identified adoptive resource.

The following video shares the heart of the matter.

9Help a child know they are special

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas

[For presenters reference: the adoption video will be played here.]

10Next stepsIf you are interested in adopting, please visit online: adoptkskids.org

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas

If you are interested in more information on becoming an adoptive family, please visit online at adopt k s kids dot org.

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Strong Families Make a Strong KansasFor more information on foster families:st-francis.org in the West and Wichita Regions

KVC.org in the East and Kansas City RegionsIf you are interested in more information on becoming a foster family, for the West and Wichita Regions, please visit online at St dash Francis dot org.

And for the East and Kansas City Regions, please visit online at k v c dot org.

12Change a LifetimeNo matter how much time you have to give, you have the power to do something positive that will Change a Lifetime for a young person in foster care or by adopting a child into your family.

Strong Families Make a Strong Kansas

No matter how much time you have to give, you have the power to do something positive that will Change a Lifetime for a young person in foster care or by adopting a child into your family.

Strong families make a strong Kansas!

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