Adopt Kansas Kids (AKK), in collaboration with Kansas Post Adoption Resource Center (K-PARC) and the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), will host a National Adoption Month Reception at Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL), 3545 SW 5th, Topeka on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. The event will bring attention to over 500 Kansas children referred to AKK who need permanent homes and families and unveil this year’s theme, “Youth Voices: Why Family Matters,” highlighting the need for older youth in foster care to have permanent connections and guidance into adulthood.
The average age of a child featured on AKK’s photo listing web site AdoptKSKids.org is 12-years-old, and most of the waiting children in foster care are older than 8-years-old, part of a sibling group or minority children. Older youth in out-of-home care are less likely to be adopted than younger children, yet studies have shown that having a close relationship with a caring adult is key to successfully transitioning from foster care to adulthood.
“We currently have more than 130 teens listed on our website who need loving families to guide them into adulthood and support them no matter what,” said Gail Cozadd, director of children and family services at KCSL. “National Adoption Month is the perfect time to raise awareness in the community of this need.”
KCSL President and CEO Dona Booe and DCF Deputy Secretary Tanya Keys will speak at the National Adoption Month Reception. The event will also include a live testimonial, the Excellence in Adoption award presentation and light refreshments. After 2:30 p.m., guests are welcome to come and go.
Throughout the month of November, AKK and partnering agencies are also encouraging families to become foster or adoptive parents by visiting the AdoptKSKids.org or calling 1-877-457-5430.
For more information about the National Adoption Month Reception, please contact Amber Miller at amiller@kcsl.org or 785-250-7292.
About Adopt Kansas Kids
Adopt Kansas Kids (AKK) is a statewide, collaborative effort to find families for children in foster care who need adoption and increase awareness of the need for adoptive families through our photo listing, matching website, child profiles in the media, community events and activities such as our Klicks for Kids photo gallery. AKK also links prospective adoptive and foster families with agencies in their area, answers questions about adoption and provides information about available adoption resources. This service is provided by Kansas Children’s Service League through a contract with the Kansas Department for Children and Families.
