November is national adoption month. The month is a time to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care.

In Tennessee, there are approximately 350 children and youth in the state’s care who need a forever home. The majority of these children are older teenagers who have no one to guide them through life.

Tennessee is a foster-to-adopt state, meaning one must foster for at least six months before proceeding with an adoption. Approximately 80 percent of children who are adopted from foster care in Tennessee are adopted by the families who already are, and have been, their foster parents. Some families choose the path of subsidized permanent guardianship to create a forever family with a child who is a relative.

For Information on National Adoption Month visit https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/adoption/nam/. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED- 11/16/2020-6AM)

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