Children's Home Society of Florida: Gulf Coast Division

Angels in Adoption 2005 - Florida

Selected by Representative Jim Davis

The Gulf Coast Division of the Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) provides special needs and international adoptions in Hillsborogh and Pinellas Counties. Program Social Workers participate in the Match Team meetings. The Special Needs Adoptions services include children in Department of Children and Families foster care that have been freed for adoption, children at Joshua House, and all of the Division's other residential care programs who have been freed for adoption. Most of these children are older sibling groups and have moderate to severe emotional and behavioral problems. Program Social Workers provide MAPP training for prospective special needs adoptive parents throughout the year. This training helps to prepare prospective adoptive parents for the challenges associated with adopting children from the foster care system. CHS works with Holt International and other international agencies providing adoptive home studies, dossier preparation, post-placement supervision, and reporting for families adopting internationally, residing within geographic target areas. The adoption services are provided for more than 100 children and families annually. For the many children who have found themselves freed for adoption and want a family that will love and support them, Children's Home Society of Florida can help their dreams come true. Last year, in Hillsborough County, the Children's Home Society of Florida finalized aodption for 105 foster care children, providing these children with forever families.