Contacts:
Mary Louise Madigan: (216) 698-2521; mlmadigan@cuyahogacounty.us 
Kathie Sizemore: (216) 881-4413; kathleen.sizemore@jfs.ohio.gov 


County Residents Who Can Open Up Their Hearts and Homes Should Consider Adopting

CLEVELAND – November marks National Adoption Month, and the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is building awareness of the growing number of children who need families. According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ most recent report, there were over 123,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted across the U. S.

“There are hundreds of children in our community who need a forever family,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “Through no fault of their own, these children are living without the security of a loving, permanent family. If you can provide a safe, nourishing environment for a child please consider adopting.”

Cuyahoga County currently has close to 600 children in permanent custody. Over 200 of those children are living in foster homes that are in the process of adopting them. The other children are available for adoption, and range in age from 0-18. The County is actively recruiting adoptive families for these children.

“We have the highest number of children in our custody that we’ve seen in a decade,” said DCFS Director Cynthia Weiskittel. “These children deserve loving homes, and we are encouraging interested individuals to heed the call of being adoptive parents. Every child needs family—and we don’t give up on finding the right family for every child.”

To date, 98 children have been adopted in Cuyahoga County this year. Of those, 32 children had been in County custody for five years or more.

Residents can visit everychildneedsfamily.com to see adoptable children and find more information on adoption requirements and processes.

Adoption Month Activities:

DCFS 2020 Adoption Calendar Release
Pick up a copy of our 2020 calendar, spotlighting our adorably adoptable children. You can donate a toy at any of these locations to receive a copy of our limited edition 2020 calendar.

• Murtis Taylor Human Services Center, 13422 Kinsman Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44120
• Fatima Family Center, 6809 Quimby Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44103
• St. Martin DePorres Family Center, 1264 East 123rd St., Cleveland, Ohio 44108
• Lakewood Family Center, 12900 Madison Ave., Lakewood, Ohio 44107
• Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority, 6001 Woodland Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44104
• East End Neighborhood Center, 2749 Woodhill Rd., Cleveland, Ohio 44104
• Harvard Community Center, 18240 Harvard Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44128
• The Centers for Families and Children, 1841 S. Taylor Rd., Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
• Murtis Taylor Service Center, 16005 Terrace Rd., East Cleveland, Ohio 44112
• Parma Area Family Collaborative, 5210 Loya Pkwy., Parma, Ohio 44134
• Murtis Taylor Service Center, 5522 Turney Rd., Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125
• University Settlement, 4800 Broadway Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44127
• Westside Community House, 9300 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102
• Motor Cars Honda, 2953 Mayfield Ave., Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
• Rick Case Hyundai, 19991 Villaview Rd., Euclid, Ohio, 44119
• Ohio’s First-Class Credit Union, 1800 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115

Friday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m.
All About Adoption - Facebook Live
Join us for an in-depth conversation about adoption. DCFS experts will host a live chat on our Facebook page to answer your questions. We’ll share statistics, perspectives and tips for those contemplating adoption. https://www.facebook.com/CuyahogaCountyDivisionofChildrenandFamilyServices/ 

Saturday, Nov. 23 2019
Adoption Families Celebration
Media and invited guests only. Media can contact Kathie Sizemore for more information.