To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim November 2024 as National Adoption Awareness Month
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution declaring November 2024 as Adoption Awareness Month.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
BACKGROUND:
National Adoption Month is an initiative of the Administration for Children and Families; Children and Families' Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families, that began as National Adoption Week in 1984. In recent years, efforts focus on adoption of teens/older youth because it is known that teens in foster care wait longer for permanency and are at higher risk of aging out without permanent connections, which places them at risk for negative outcomes.
This year's National Adoption Month theme is “Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds” to promote young people having a strong support network that meets their needs; embraces and affirms their racial, ethnic, and cultural identity; and promotes family, community, and cultural connections. By honoring every youth and their network, professionals can work toward an adoption that is meaningful and purposeful, paving the way for healing, well-being, and long-term stability.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Contra Costa County will not recognize National Adoption Month.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT
This resolution supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) "Children Ready for and Succeeding in School"; (2) "Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood"; (3)"Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient"; (4) "Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing"; and (5)"Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
body
IN THE MATTER OF proclaiming November 2024 as Adoption Awareness Month in Contra Costa County
WHEREAS, all children, infants, toddlers, school-aged and older youth, deserve a safe, loving, supportive environment and a place to call home; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 National Adoption Month theme, "Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds," raises awareness about how we can cultivate a support network for youth in foster care to meet their needs; embrace and affirm their identity; and promote family, community, and cultural connections; and
WHEREAS, in Contra Costa County, we recognize that we can work toward meaningful adoption journeys for teens and older youth who generally tend to have a longer wait for permanent homes, and help them secure lifelong connections to pave the way for healing, well-being, and long-term stability; and
WHEREAS, reunifying children with their own families is the primary goal only when it is safe and in the child’s best interest, and when reunification is not possible, Children and Family Services (CFS) helps find caregivers who can offer children and youth permanent homes through adoption; and
WHEREAS, during Fiscal Year 2023-24, EHSD’s Children & Family Services completed 60 adoptions; and
WHEREAS, of the 60 adoptions, 40 of the adoptions were with relatives and 35 of the adopted children were under 5 years old; and
WHEREAS, CFS and community partners provided adoption assistance and post-adoption support to 1,554 families during Fiscal Year 2023-2024 in Contra Costa County; and
WHEREAS, there are no restrictions on who can adopt based on race, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, income, sexual orientation or expression, gender identity, marital status; and
WHEREAS, adoption secures supportive and nurturing families and homes, including those of relative caregivers, for children and teens, and can play a role in preventing recurring child abuse and neglect.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors hereby proclaim November 2024 as National Adoption Month in Contra Costa County to celebrate our community’s adoptive families and raise awareness about the number of children and teens who are still waiting for a permanent home.