COLUMBUS, Ohio — November marks National Adoption Month, and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, alongside Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara B. Wente, is calling for community action to help young people in foster care find permanent, loving homes. The initiative emphasizes that “every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving family,” as Governor DeWine highlighted. This month, Ohio honors families who have opened their homes to adoption and encourages others to consider the significant impact adoption can have on a child’s life.
In Ohio, more than 14,000 children are currently in foster care, with over 3,000 waiting for adoption. Half of those awaiting adoption are teens ages 13 to 17, a group that often faces added obstacles in finding lasting homes. The state’s adoption website, FosterAndAdopt.ohio.gov, provides resources for adoptive families and those interested in fostering. Visitors can find information on adoption costs, training, support systems, and a directory of youth profiles to help match teens with permanent families.
DCY Director Wente emphasized the significance of November’s theme, “Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds,” pointing out that “kids are never too old to benefit from permanent, lifelong relationships and meaningful connections to supportive adults to reach their full potential.”