17 children in foster care, ranging in age from two to fifteen years, will become part of “forever families” – the term used to describe adoptive families – during a “Celebration of Adoption” on Friday, June 7, at 12:30 p.m. in the courtroom of Dependency Court Judge, Jeffery Mahl – Room 4G at the Brevard County Courthouse, in Viera. Following the ceremonies, a reception will be held for the families, hosted by Chick-fil-A of Viera.
Ten of the children being adopted are part of five sibling groups. During the proceedings, attorneys will present final permanency documents to the court and ask the families to attest that they are willingly adopting the child or children and that the same are willingly accepting becoming part of the family. Once confirmed, children become a permanent member of the adoptive family and are recognized and treated as a biological child of the parent or parents.
For the seventh straight year, Brevard Family Partnership, working with its adoption partner agency, IMpower, says it will exceed its annual goal for adoptions before the end of its fiscal year, which ends June 30. “This is a testament to the incredible families of Brevard, who have lovingly opened their hearts and homes to children in need of permanency,” said Brevard Family Partnership’s child and family program manager, LaChrista Jones. “These children now have a place they can always call ‘home’ with a family who will care for them as their own.”
Since 2006, BFP and its partners have united 600 children with adoptive families, giving youngsters whose parents could no longer care for them the safety and stability of a permanent and lasting family connection. “Every child that is adopted is one more of Brevard’s children with a chance for a bright future,” Jones said.
Children available for adoption in Brevard County range in age from birth to seventeen years. Currently, there is a need for families in Brevard interested in adopting teenagers and sibling groups.
For more information about adopting a child in foster care, please call Brevard Family Partnership at (321) 752-4650 or visit www.heartgallerybrevard.org.
