First Forever Family Funfest Celebrates Power of Permanency

Celebrating the nearly 300 children who found “forever homes” over the past year through adoption or finalization of a kinship placement, Franklin County Children Services hosted its first Forever Family Funfest.

“When children can no longer safely remain in their parents’ custody, they deserve to have the permanent sense of belonging that comes with finding a family,” said Raquel Breckenridge, Family Service Director for Permanency. “And we want to celebrate those lasting connections.”

Over the past year, more than 100 children and teenagers who were in the agency’s care found their forever homes through adoption. In addition, almost 200 children were permanently placed with family relatives - grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, or adult siblings - or close family friends such as teachers and coaches, church members, or neighbors.

Dozens of those children and teens who found their forever homes through adoption or permanent kinship placement, along with their families and caregivers, attended the free Forever Family Funfest at Scene 75, an indoor entertainment center on Columbus’ west side with roller coasters, go-karts, laser tag, and arcade games.

In addition to lunch, the young people who were there received a two-hour pass to play games and experience all of the rides and attractions at the game center.

The event served as a kickoff to November’s National Adoption Month recognition and the countdown to our 25th annual National Adoption Day Ceremony at the Franklin County Courthouse on November 19.

In Franklin County, a majority of the children waiting for forever homes are ages 10 and older, often in sibling groups who need to stay together or children who have special needs.

Through adoption, older children are connected to a family that can provide a sense of stability, lasting connections, and guidance with important life tasks such as enrolling in higher education, finding stable housing, securing employment, and establishing healthy relationships.

“Right now, FCCS has more than 250 children in agency custody who are available for adoption. Fortunately, more than half of those children are matched with families and in the process of adoption,”

The FCCS Adoption Team has made it easier for families to virtually meet some of the children seeking a permanent home. Profiles of the teens approved for adoption here in Franklin County - and more information for families who want to consider becoming adoptive parents - can be found on the FCCS website at fccs.us/adoption.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FCCS Volunteers Comfort, Care for Children during Crisis

Image
As a volunteer in Franklin County Children Services’ Crisis Center, Michalle DiGiovine fondly recalls dining on “pretend food” and playing “restaurant” with a promising culinary staff of five young children as they tried out recipes prepared on a plastic range.  “It felt good that they could come to me - a stranger - to pretend and laugh a little,” she said, remembering how she connected with the youngsters, all the under the age of 10, who had just endured an extremely traumatic experience at home. As January is National Mentoring Month, it’s a great time to recognize the Crisis Center volunteers who help protect children by allowing them to escape from tumultuous situations for a time and feel safe and cared for.  Mentors and volunteers play an important role at FCCS in surrounding children who come into the agency’s care with kindness and support, letting children know they are not alone. It’s part of the agency’s strategy to protect the “whole” child - mind, body, and heart.  A pla
Read more

Safer Together: First FCCS Director of Safety and Security Selected

Image
Adding another layer to the strategies designed to keep Franklin County Children Services staff and visitors to FCCS buildings protected and safe - and championing a new “Safer Together” approach to security - the agency has welcomed its first official Director of Safety and Security. Robert Collins joined the FCCS Team in mid-November with more than 30 years of private and public safety, security, and emergency management experience. And he’s already been busy. “It will take all of us to keep the agency safe and each other safe,” Mr. Collins shared. “This position will be the lead on enhancing, implementing, and overseeing our comprehensive safety and security efforts,” according to FCCS Executive Director Chip Spinning. “We want Robert to be the point-person in security-related discussions, for emergency and crisis planning, and as a liaison between FCCS and local first responders.” Mr. Collins will also chair the agency’s Safety Committee and is in the process of meeting FCCS staff
Read more