Nov. 2, 2017 Release from Governor’s Office
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced he will propose nearly $200 million for families who adopt children from foster care. This funding will continue critical post adoption services for more than 37,000 children. Since taking office, Governor Scott has championed investments for the adoption of more than 20,000 children from Florida’s child welfare and foster care systems. Over the past year, more than 3,600 children were adopted in Florida, the highest year for adoptions in eight years. This week, Governor Scott also proclaimed November as Florida Adoption Month.
Governor Scott said, “Every November, we take time to recognize the many families across the state who have opened their hearts and homes to adopt children in need. This Florida Adoption Month, I am proud to propose a nearly $200 million investment as part of my 2018-2019 recommended budget to support children adopted from foster care. Every child deserves a loving family and adoptive parents have a unique opportunity to help change a child’s life for the better. We are grateful to the families who have provided homes for the more than 20,000 children adopted from Florida’s child welfare and foster care systems over the past seven years and will continue to do all we can to encourage families to consider adoption.”
DCF Secretary Mike Carroll said, “Being adopted into safe homes with loving families changes the lives of children and also transforms the forever families they join. Continued support after adoption enables more families to open their hearts and homes to children who are available for adoption.”
More details on the Governor’s proposed budget will be made available in the coming weeks.
