In celebration of families who have expanded through adoption, and to raise awareness of the many children waiting to find their forever home, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed November as National Adoption Month.

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, the Board presented a proclamation to representatives of the County Department of Social Services, who were joined by families who have been touched by the joy of adoption.

“The need for adoptive families in Fresno County is great,” said Tricia Gonzalez, Deputy Director of Child Welfare for the Department of Social Services. “This month offers a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of the needs that are faced in our community year round, and helps open the door for families to make a lifelong impact in the hearts and lives of children.”

In Fresno County, more than 2,200 youth, from newborn to 21 years of age, are in the foster care system. From July of 2016 to June of this year, 231 adoptions were finalized in the County, with 39 of those adoptions being of children aged eight years and older.

In January of 2017, the State of California implemented the Resource Family Approval process, streamlining efforts to adopt. The RFA creates a uniform process to help with the successful placement of children, helping them exit the child welfare system and enter an adoptive home more quickly than in previous years.

The need for caregivers and permanent families is constant, with the greatest needs being for teenagers, sibling sets, and youth with special needs. Needs range from providing short-term care while working to reunite children with their biological parents, to providing a permanent home through adoption.

For more information about becoming a resource family, please call 1-877-533-KIDS (5437) or go online – Become a Resource Family

More information about National Adoption Month 2017 may also be found here – National Adoption Month 2017