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For Immediate Release:
December 7, 2007
Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407
Jefferson City – The Missouri Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Children’s Division (CD) is taking the opportunity this holiday season to remind the public of the need for adoptive homes in the state.
"The holidays are a happy time, but they also are a time to reflect on how we can help those in need," said Paula Neese, CD Director. "There are many children in Missouri's foster system waiting for loving families to give them a home this year."
Nearly 2,000 Missouri children are among the 114,000 foster youth in the United States awaiting adoption. To raise awareness about the need for adoptive homes, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Children's Action Network will partner for the ninth annual television special, A Home for the Holidays, which will air on CBS December 21 at 7 p.m.
"A Home for the Holidays is a great, heartwarming program that sheds much needed light on the need for adoptive homes in our state and the nation,” Neese said. “The Dave Thomas Foundation does so much for Missouri’s children, and we are thrilled they will again host this program.”
A Home for the Holidays has proven to be a successful recruitment tool for adoptions. A survey done shows that more than six percent of people who called the toll free number during the program went on to adopt a child. In addition to encouraging families to adopt from the foster care system, the special will feature inspirational stories of families and waiting children and performances by top Hollywood actors and musicians.
Neese hopes Missouri families watching the special will become inspired to adopt.
"Last year the Children’s Division identified adoptive homes for 1,275 Missouri children through a variety of efforts including “A Home for the Holidays.” This holiday season our hope is that even more people will make room in their hearts and homes for a child," Neese said.
To learn more about adopting a child in Missouri, visit http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd, or call the toll-free Foster-Adopt Line at 1-800-554-2222.
