Florida Senate - 2020 (NP) SR By Senator Baxley 12-03248-20 20201910__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution encouraging Floridians to consider opening their hearts and homes to children in this state who are in need of a loving family, and recognizing November as “Florida Adoption Month.” 5

WHEREAS, it is paramount that Florida’s children and families have the opportunities necessary to reach their full potential and lead healthy lives, and

WHEREAS, all children deserve a loving, supportive, 10 nurturing, and permanent family of their own, and

WHEREAS, adoption is an opportunity to change the life of a child and the families that might adopt them while making an impact on local communities, and

WHEREAS, anyone with the ability to love and provide for a child and to make a lifelong commitment can be an adoptive parent, and

WHEREAS, 4,572 Florida children found permanent homes during the 2018-2019 state fiscal year, and

WHEREAS, approximately Florida children are available for adoption without an identified adoptive family, including teenagers, sibling groups, and children with special medical needs, and

WHEREAS, First Lady Casey DeSantis, as chair of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet and through her “Hope for Healing Florida” program, is working alongside state agencies to improve the health, safety, economic stability, and quality of life of Florida’s children, and

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Office of Adoption and Child Florida Senate - 2020 (NP) SR 1910 12-03248-20 20201910__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Protection, the Florida Department of Children and Families, 30 community-based care lead agencies, the Florida Association of Heart Galleries, state and local agencies, and child advocacy organizations join together each November to raise awareness of foster care adoptions in Florida, and

WHEREAS, this year, Florida will celebrate National Adoption Month and Florida Adoption Month with its Days of Amazing Children campaign on the Explore Adoption website, 37 www.adoptflorida.org, and

WHEREAS, families and children across this state and nation will celebrate adoption on November 21, 2020, National Adoption Day, while also remembering the children who are still in need of a loving, permanent family of their own,

NOW, THEREFORE, 42

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 44 That Floridians are encouraged to consider opening their hearts and homes to children in this state who are in need of a loving family, and that November is recognized as “Florida Adoption Month.” 49