Throughout National Adoption Month we've highlighted some of our incredible adoptive families! The Emery Family has adopted 4 siblings at different times that have had their own medical challenges. Jerry and Belinda were there every step of the way for their children through every circumstance.
Meet the Dibrango Family! Kimberly and Joellen are both teachers and have always had a heart to help kids. When they were online, they saw one of our 13-year old teen girls available for adoption and realized that they knew her! It didn't take long for them to make the decision that they had room in their heart and home to give the gift of a family to a teen!
Yesterday, the Polk County Courthouse was full of families, friends, kids and our adoption teams to celebrate our families who finalized their adoptions! We love getting to celebrate these beautiful milestones for our children and families!
Congratulations to the Boarman, Romero and White families!
In March 2022, the Banse Family welcomed a brother and sister, ages 7 and 8, to their family and providing their forever home! They surrounded the children with love, support and telling them "you are good enough and we want you." The children are now thriving in their adoptive home and have made many gains.
The Barger family reflects 11 years later shares what inspred them to open their hearts and home to children through adoption.
Family is the BEST Christmas present! This video captures the moment that Rae, one of our 17-year old teens, found out that she was OFFICIALLY ADOPTED!
Jamie and Michael have always had a heart for kids - especially teens and siblings! This lead them to starting their journey 8 years ago by becoming foster caregivers and providing a safe and loving environment for kiddos.
This year, Giselle made it official and adopted 16-year old Lili! Giselle explains what inspired her to consider adoption. Read their story here.
In October 2019, the Chapdelaine's adopted siblings Jordan and Lane keeping the children together and their strong sibling bond. Read their story.
In honor of #NationalAdoptionMonth we wanted to highlight the Jasmine family. In the past few years, they have become the forever home to 4 children & teens and now have a family of 9!
In honor of #NationalAdoptionMonth we wanted to highlight the Barnes family. This past year, Tatrina opened her heart & home to Dylan and adopted him right before his 18th birthday!
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proclaimed November as #NationalAdoptionMonth! During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, 4,548 children in Florida found forever families! In the state of Florida, approximately 700 children are without an identified adoptive family, including teenagers, sibling groups, and children with medical needs. Learn how you can become a teen or sibling group's forever home by calling 863-519-8900 x 223 or visit heartlandforchildren.org/gallery.
As I sit here thinking of life and what our family has become over the past couple of years, I have a mix of emotions. If anyone knows me, they know how much I love my kids, but there is more to the story than most know.
We knew we wanted to adopt again after we finalized David's adoption. We had been searching the websites and reaching out to all of the local agencies. In November of 2012 we attended a matching event held by Heartland for Children at Family Fun Center.
It was just last fall that Jacob began visits with a prospective adoptive family when everything just fell into place and this family knew he was just perfect for them!
This sibling group met their forever family at a local matching event. Their instant connection with this family lead to a perfect match and a forever family through adoption!
When speaking of Adoption Success Stories I automatically think of the Goff Family!
This family was matched with Faith and everything started to come into place - just as if they were the family meant for Faith!
Theresa Mixon has been fostering since 1998 and is currently fostering two children. She has a 17 year old male that has been residing in her home for two years. Ms. Mixon believes in ensuring the children are actively involved in community activities and athletics...
In the last ten[+] years, Heartland for Children has established strong community partnerships and effective programs that have positively impacted our tri-county area. Under their leadership, child abuse has decreased. This change has been a result of strong commitment to prevention and evidence based programs. Additionally, their focus on trauma focused care has made a tremendous impact on children and families that have experienced abuse, neglect, and out of home placements. Heartland for Children is the model of community based care for our state.
As a social worker who was involved in the transition to this model of care in our state, I fully support and endorse their continued work and leadership in Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties.
Mary Jo Plews - Former Executive Director, Healthy Start Coalition