National Adoption Month

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama recognizes the importance of giving children permanent, safe and loving families through adoption; and

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama recognizes the diligence and hard work that adoption professionals display everyday in identifying forever families for its children for foster care; and

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama recognizes the partnerships of many agencies and groups in making adoption for children in foster care possible; and

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama and the Department of Human Resources is celebrating the finalized adoptions of 513 foster children during fiscal year 2015; and

WHEREAS, there are approximately 5000 children in the care or custody of the Department of Human Resources; and

WHEREAS, adoption is the permanency plan for approximately 388 foster children; and

WHEREAS, approximately 153 of these children will be adopted by the foster parent with whom they are already placed; and

WHEREAS, approximately 235 children do not yet have an identified adoptive resource; and

WHEREAS, it is important to raise awareness about the needs of children in Alabama’s foster care system and for more permanent families for these children:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim

National Adoption Month

in the State of Alabama and do hereby encourage all Alabamians to support adoption and to attend one of the many National Adoption Month events planned throughout the State.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 13th day of November 2015.

Robert Bentley
Governor