November is Adoption Recognition and Recruitment Month

MOUNT VERNON – The Knox County Commissioners have recognized November as Adoption Recognition and Recruitment Month with a proclamation signed earlier this month.

In part, the resolution reads, “We honor adoptive families throughout Ohio and raise awareness of the more than 3,000 Ohio children in foster care who are waiting to be adopted. We recognize and commend the efforts of adoptive families throughout Ohio who are committed to provide safe, stable, permanent homes for Ohio’s most vulnerable children.” 

Currently, the Knox County Department of Job & Family Services has 27 children available for adoption. There have been 19 adoptions finalized from Dec. 19, 2020, to present. Fourteen of the 27 children currently available for adoption are 13 years old or older. 

“Every child deserves a forever family regardless of their age,” said Danielle Swendal, Knox County Children's Services administrator. “In 2021, a Knox County young man who is 17 years old and severely autistic was adopted by his foster family where he has lived since 2014. This youth has his forever family instead of being at risk of transitioning to a group home or institution. His forever family is providing him community-based living in the home he has known as his since he was 10 years old.” 

This is just one example of the successful outcomes that can be achieved through adoption.  

“According to Gov. DeWine, there are currently nearly 16,000 children in Ohio who live in foster homes or other out-of-home settings," the Ohio Children's Alliance said. "Of those 16,000, 3,000 children in foster care are waiting to be adopted, and more than 1,200 of the children are 13 years old or older. DeWine said 247 of those children will turn 18 years old in the next year. This puts them at risk of transitioning out of the children services system without a forever family."

Anyone who is interested in learning more about being a foster or adoptive parent can go online to https://fosterandadopt.jfs.ohio.gov/ or reach out to Knox County Children Services’ foster/adopt coordinator Raymond Guajardo at 740-398-2429 or Raymond.Guajardo@jfs.ohio.gov.