Originally posted by: PNJ.COM

Hundreds of children in foster care joined forever families through adoption in the western panhandle just last year. But, when the adoption finalized, their story certainly didn’t end.

Long after the ink dries on the adoption papers, forever families overcome new challenges and celebrate their children’s successes alongside Children’s Home Society of Florida.

As we celebrate National Adoption Month, it’s the perfect opportunity to remind our community – especially families touched by adoption – that lasting support is right here. You see, while each child’s adoption journey is unique, many face tough obstacles, including developmental delays and lasting trauma.

And as children grow, they begin to process their adoption and past traumas in new ways, which can lead to emotional rollercoasters along with disruptive and challenging behaviors.

But there is hope – and lots of success – in Children’s Home Society of Florida’s post-adoption support program. Using proven solutions and intense support, our counselors work with families to build healthy communication and coping techniques so they can maintain stability and overcome each challenge.

Here’s why post-adoption support – and excellence – is so important: Research suggests as high as 25 percent of adoptions will experience some type of disruption.

That is simply heartbreaking – and that’s why we are so committed to serving local families throughout their adoption journeys.

Children’s Home Society of Florida, in partnership with Families First Network, is connecting local families to compassionate counselors who are professionally trained in working with children who have experienced severe trauma. Together, our teams aren’t just doing incredible work – they’re setting a new standard for excellence with proven results.

Last year alone, our team of four post-adoption counselors personally reached out to offer support to more than 730 families. The response was overwhelming gratitude – and eager participation.

As Florida’s leader in adoption since 1902, CHS has a track record of success in Pensacola and throughout the state. And we’re teaming up with industry giants to continue and grow this important work.

As a member of the National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster/Adoptive Parents (NTDC), CHS has embarked on a  five- year cooperative funded by the by the Administration on Children, Youth & Families, Children’s Bureau.

Together, we join other national leaders in adoption to develop and evaluate a state-of-the-art training program to prepare foster and adoptive families to effectively parent children who’ve endured trauma and to provide ongoing training to help families continue to nurture healthy child development.

I’m thankful the children in our community will have these resources, but our work is far from over.

We need to take the successes of our community and share them throughout Florida. Every child deserves that stability – and we’re paving the way to reduce adoption disruptions so children can truly have their brighter futures.

But we can’t do it alone. To continue the success in our beloved panhandle – and to share it with others – we need the financial support of friends who believe in this important work.

I believe in a better future for all kids … and I know our community does, too.