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My Turn Column

November, 2005

Note to editors: The following is a My Turn column from Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard regarding National Adoption Month 2005.

November is National Adoption Month and is celebrated across the United States to increase awareness of the 118,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving homes and to recognize those who step forward to bring these children into their families.

On Saturday, November 19, National Adoption Day events will be held in Phoenix, Prescott, Sierra Vista and Tucson that will include finalizing the adoptions of many children leaving foster care. These and similar events in all 50 states will give children the chance to live with stable and loving families. They will also encourage other dedicated individuals to make a powerful difference in the life of a child.

Many foster and adoptive parents have generously welcomed children into their lives. We can be thankful for the 803 adoptions that were finalized last year for Arizona children. Adoptions would not be possible without the dedicated efforts of many community organizations, social workers, foster parents, lawyers, child advocates, judges, birth parents and volunteers.

The Attorney General's Office will continue to be a strong voice for Arizona's most vulnerable children through our work representing the Department of Economic Security in Child Protective Services cases.
More than 9,500 children were placed in out-of-home care last year due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Nearly 1,900 children are currently in need of adoption.

Arizona is fortunate to have many individuals and organizations working together to help foster care children find permanent families, but more needs to be done. There are many ways you can help:

  • * Consider foster parenting or adoption.
    * Spread the word to friends and family about the need for adoptive families.
    * Provide a scholarship to a foster child for lessons or camp.
    * Become a court-appointed special advocate, mentor or tutor.
    * Donate new toys, books and gift cards for foster children during the holidays.


Please join me in recognizing National Adoption Month and learn more about adoption. Becoming an adoptive parent is a lifetime commitment and one of the most rewarding steps a family can take.

For more information about adoption, visit the Arizona Department of Economic Security Web site at www.de.state.az or call 1-877-KIDS-NEED-U (1-877-543-7633).

(Note: Terry and Monica Goddard are adoptive parents)