GENESEO, N.Y., Nov. 2, 2023 – The Livingston County Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance that foster parents and adoptive families play in the development of children across the country and, as such, has declared November 2023 as Adoption Awareness Month in the County.
Each November, during the annual observance of Adoption Awareness Month, Livingston County recognizes that our citizens have a compassionate tradition for opening their hearts to children in need of a permanent home.
In New York State, of the 14,166 children in foster care, 3,444 have a goal of adoption and approximately 1,195 are legally freed and waiting for an adoptive family. Fifty two percent (52%) of the children currently in New York State’s foster care system reside in New York City and forty eight percent (48%) in upstate counties. Among those waiting to be adopted, many are between the ages of 6 and 13 while over one-third are teens are 14 and over.
The children remaining in care have experienced some neglect and/or abuse in their lives. They not only need, but want the stability and the unconditional love of a family where they can learn to trust while also working towards reestablishing their own self-confidence. Families are also needed to provide life lessons and teach things that many may take for granted such as how to ride bikes, make cookies, read, dance or participate in extracurricular activities.
Livingston County Family Court and Department of Social Services, with support from Glove House and the Greater Rochester Regional Permanency Center, will be hosting an Adoption Event in November to commemorate adoptions that have been finalized in the past three years.
This special observance reminds us that we can offer the hope of a better tomorrow to many children through adoption. As families and communities across our County, State and Nation gather in the coming weeks to celebrate and give thanks for our many blessings, it is the goal of all of us that every child awaiting adoption finds a permanent and loving family.
For more information on becoming a foster/adoptive parent please contact Livingston County Department of Social Services at (585) 243-7300.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, events and more by following Livingston County on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.