OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) commemorates November as “National Adoption Awareness Month,” participating in a special celebration Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Moore-Norman Technology Center, 13301 S. Pennsylvania in Oklahoma City, beginning at 2 p.m.
“Many Oklahomans never realize how these children yearn for families of their own,” said Deborah Goodman, OKDHS Program Administrator. “One look in their eyes and you can see the hope they have written on their hearts. They simply want what a lot of us take for granted, and that’s a family to love them and for them to love in return.”
Last year OKDHS SWIFT Adoption Services authorized 1,382 children for adoption placement. More than 57 percent of those children were siblings who found an adoptive home with their brothers and sisters. According to Goodman, hundreds more children are still waiting for a permanent home.
“Every child deserves a family,” Goodman said. “I know many potential adoptive parents are looking for smaller children; but many teens are still out there as well, just hoping to find a life-long family to call their own.”
The public is invited to attend the adoption celebration on Nov. 17. OKDHS SWIFT Adoption representatives will be on hand to answer questions and provide details on adoption, and services available to help prospective adoptive parents.
For additional information on OKDHS SWIFT Adoptions and Adoption Awareness Month, phone Deborah Goodman at (918) 794-7544.
