Over 117,000 children and youth across the country are in foster care waiting for a forever family. For teenagers at risk of aging out of foster care, it is just as important to secure a permanent sense of belonging. This year, during National Adoption Month, the Children’s Bureau within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urges us to focus on how Small Steps Open Doors for youth along their journey toward permanency. Being the person to ask youth what’s important to them, telling them you have their back, and keeping an open mind are some of the small, yet impactful, actions that can build trust and lead to meaningful conversations that uncover possibilities for permanency. Visit the website to learn more about National Adoption Month and find tools and resources to educate yourself and your community about how we can achieve better outcomes for children and youth in need. National Adoption Month is an annual campaign sponsored by the Children’s Bureau in partnership with Child Welfare Information Gateway and AdoptUSKids.*
*Posted with Permission from the National Adoption Month 2022 Outreach Toolkit of childwelfare.gov