GOVERNOR CRIST APPLAUDS CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY FOR PROTECTING FLORIDA YOUTH
~~ ~Joins Head Coach Bobby Bowden to promote child identification program ~ ~~
November 18, 2009
Contact:
GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE – In recognition of National Adoption Month, Governor Charlie Crist and First Lady Carole Crist today applauded the adoption and child advocacy efforts of the Children’s Home Society. Governor Crist highlighted the organization’s adoption services and their care for disabled, abused and neglected children. Following a luncheon in honor of the Children’s Home Society, the Governor and First Lady joined the American Football Coaches Association, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Walmart Foundation and Florida State University Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden to announce the distribution of 201,000 child identification kits to Florida students.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that our children are safe and healthy as they grow up, and have the opportunity to achieve their dreams and meet their full potential,” said Governor Crist. “I am grateful for the efforts of organizations like the Children’s Home Society, American Football Coaches Association, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Walmart Foundation for better securing the health and well-being of our children and young people.”
Every month, on average, the Children’s Home Society helps five children in the Big Bend area be adopted and placed into loving forever homes. Also on average, per month, the organization helps 600 Big Bend children in foster care receive help from dependency case managers, among many other child protection services.
Since July 1, 2009, more than 600 adoptions of foster children have been finalized, and approximately 200 completed adoptions are anticipated during November 2009. Earlier this year, Governor Crist announced Florida’s record-breaking 3,777 adoptions through Florida’s public adoption system during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009. This record follows the previous year’s record of 3,674 in 2007-08, up from 3,079 in 2006-07. Additionally, during the 2008-09 fiscal year, Florida saw the fewest children entering foster care since 2003. As of July 1, 2009, there were 19,797 children in out-of-home care, down 32 percent (9,483 children) from 29,280 children in January 2007.
To learn more about the Governor’s Explore Adoption initiative that focuses on adopting teens, siblings groups and children with special needs from state foster care, please visit www.AdoptFlorida.org or call 1-800-96-ADOPT.
About the National Child Identification Program
A $186,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation will provide an American Football Coaches Association/Federal Bureau of Investigation National Child ID kit to all Florida kindergarten students through their schools this fall. The Child ID Kit is the only FBI-approved DNA/fingerprinting kit of its kind and provides parents with a non-intrusive means of collecting their child’s identifiable information (including fingerprints, DNA, physical characteristics and picture) that can be recorded and stored at home. In the event of an emergency, the Child ID Kit can be provided by the parent to give law enforcement vital information and to assist their efforts to locate a missing child.
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