Contacts:
Deonna Kirkpatrick: (216) 432-3342; deonna.kirkpatrick@jfs.ohio.gov

In Honor of National Adoption Month Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services Highlights Teens and Sibling Groups More than 200 teens and children in Cuyahoga County need a forever family

Cleveland, Ohio – National adoption month is a collective effort to raise awareness of the over 600 children in Cuyahoga County foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. This annual awareness campaign has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners and advocates to finalize adoptions and create and celebrate adoptive families.

This year the focus is on the importance of identifying permanent families for youth ages 15-18 years old in foster care. Because of their age, many of these youth may age out of the foster care system without a place to call home.

“Our goal for children in foster care is to find a forever family who will love them, accept them and give them the home that they deserve”, said Division of Children and Family Services Director, Cynthia Weiskittel. "It’s especially critical that we are able to find families for our older youth and sibling groups before they age out of foster care, because We Never Outgrow the Need for Family."

All month the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Facebook page features profiles of some of the teens and children in foster care who are still waiting for their adoptive family. You can also visit the online Heart Gallery to see photos and videos.

In addition, DCFS will release its 2017 Adoption Calendar featuring teens and sibling groups who need forever families. These calendars are available at all DCFS service center agencies.

For more information on how to become a foster or adoptive parent to a loving teen and/or sibling group, click here or call 216-881-5775.