Iowa KidsNet is proud to join child welfare advocates and families across the country in celebrating November’s National Adoption Month, a time to raise awareness for the more than 107,000 children in the United States who are waiting to be adopted from foster care and to recognize the people who make a difference in their lives.
“Iowans who serve as foster or adoptive parents can make a lifelong difference for children and teens in out-of-home care,” said Theresa Lewis, project director for Iowa KidsNet. “Every young person deserves to have a permanent connection to a caring adult.”
Iowa KidsNet is the single statewide contact for Iowans seeking to become foster parents or adopt from foster care. There is an ongoing need for more Iowans to serve their communities in this way, especially for those willing to foster or adopt teens, sibling groups and children with special needs or behaviors. There is also a need for more African American and Latino families to become foster or adoptive parents.
In all Iowa counties, Iowa KidsNet provides post-adoption support to families who have adopted a child through the Iowa Department of Human Services.
Iowa KidsNet is a statewide collaboration of agencies that utilizes a unique, cohesive approach to provide recruitment, training, licensing and continued support to individuals who wish to become foster and adoptive parents. Iowa KidsNet is a partnership of six Iowa social service agencies, including Four Oaks, Children’s Square USA, Family Resources, Lutheran Services in Iowa, Quakerdale and Youth and Shelter Services.
For more information, call 1-800-243-0756 or visit www.iowakidsnet.com.