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Governor Spotlights Adoption On Radio Address

The following is a transcript of Governor Mike Beebe's weekly radio address for Nov. 27, 2014:

The holiday season is a special time of year for families. It is a time filled with old and new memories that are cherished for a lifetime. And the bonds that we form, strengthen and rekindle with family members over Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas mornings throughout the years can have a profound impact on all of us. However, many Arkansans don’t always have this type of family experience during the holidays, including the children who are a part of our state’s foster care system. Thankfully, some Arkansans are changing that by opening their homes and adopting children.

My wife, Ginger, knows firsthand what it means to find a loving adoptive family. At the age of four, she was adopted after being in and out of several foster homes. Ginger and her sister, Jean, brought joy into the lives of their adoptive parents and were able to grow up with roots, strong family ties and stability. Other children in foster care should have a similar opportunity to find the love and support they need to achieve their maximum capabilities. 

November has been National Adoption Month, and our Department of Human Services has held special events to celebrate the success of adoptions and showcase the continued need to match children with permanent homes.

For children who have lost their birth families, adoption can provide the home life, parental love, nurturing, and security that they would otherwise miss. As Governor, I want every child in Arkansas to grow up in this type of positive environment. Arkansas’s future depends on today’s children, and they need upbringings that give them every opportunity to reach their full potential. In the past year, 724 children found their “forever homes” through adoption. This feat is a testament to everyone who works within our communities to spread awareness of the critical needs of these children. 

But our work, as a human and statewide community, continues through every month. Today, there are still 587 children in Arkansas hoping to find permanent homes. And while we have many concerned families offering foster care, that system currently works to care for approximately 4,000 children.

As many as 70,000 American children are currently in the foster care system - young people of all ages and backgrounds who, for reasons beyond their control, cannot return to their original homes. These young people long for the same affection, security and stability that most of us take for granted.

I encourage my fellow citizens to commit ourselves to finding each of our children a loving, “forever” family home. Learn more about becoming an adoptive parent or foster parent by visiting adoptarkansas.org or fosterarkansas.org. It takes many hands to move us in the right direction, especially when it comes to being responsible guardians of the children in our care. For some families, it will be commitment beyond measure, matched only by the rewards and love it creates.

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