We helped with a record number of adoptions last year – 259

Hamilton County Job and Family Services helped facilitate a record number of adoptions last year – 259.

That’s 259 kids now living with loving, permanent families. And it’s 25 percent increase over the 207 adoptions we counted in 2018.

The McQueens

 

In these numbers are some wonderful stories:

  • Terrez and Candice Thomas had two biological children and added three more in a ceremony in July with their extended family packing the courtroom.
  • BJ and Calena Durel agreed to adopt two little girls and almost immediately learned Mrs. Durel was pregnant with twin girls. They became a family of six during a special back-to-school adoption ceremony in August and were featured on Good Morning America.
  • Mike McQueen teared up in court when he talked about his future with Carter and Caity, the grandchildren of his former wife. He adopted the two kids in November as part of our National Adoption Day event, when 14 children were united with eight forever families.

This is at least the fifth year in a row during which we’ve seen adoption numbers rise. Last year’s 259 marks a 154 percent increase over the 102 adoptions Hamilton County saw just five years ago in 2015.

Increasing numbers of adoptions is a national trend, in part because of the opioid crisis – more kids taken into permanent care has meant more adoptions. Nationally, adoptions with involvement of child welfare agencies increased to 63,100 in fiscal year 2018, compared with 59,500 in fiscal year 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Numbers for 2019 are not yet available, but experts expect those to show an increase also.

Despite these rising adoption totals, many kids still wait for forever families. More than 100,000 children across the country are waiting to be adopted. In Hamilton County on any given day, more than 400 children are waiting for their forever families.

The Durels

 

Learn more about adoption at hckids.org, by calling 513-632-6366, by emailing adoption@jfs.hamilton-co.org or by watching our social media.

by Jane Prendergast

Filed Under: Featured, News

Tagged: 2019, adoption, hamilton county job and family services, hcjfs, record