November is Adoption Awareness Month, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is celebrating families who have opened their homes across the state to children who need a loving family to care for them.  Over the past decade, 17,159 children have been adopted.  

Last fiscal year, 1,939 Illinois children were adopted into permanent homes and today there are 19,835 youth in care waiting for a family and place to call home.  You can learn more about these children by visiting the Heart Gallery of Illinois at greenlightfamilyservices.org/heartgalleryofil/. You can also learn more information about becoming an adoptive parent by visiting dcfs.illinois.gov and clicking on “Loving Homes” and then on “Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent.”

Adoption is a serious and permanent commitment to a child.  DCFS offers a range of supports to adoptive families, including reimbursement for attorney fees and court costs, a monthly subsidy, a medical card and other benefits which assist in defraying expenses associated with raising a child.  Many considering adoption become licensed foster families first, giving them a better understanding of the needs of children from disrupted families before making a life-changing decision.  

Illinois DCFS Director Marc D. Smith says that it is DCFS’ mission to ensure every child in Illinois grows up in a safe and loving home and during Adoption Awareness Month, Illinoisans should look into getting involved and helping those children who need it along with celebrating those who have made that choice to adopt or foster.