Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen declared November as Adoption Awareness Month, signing a proclamation during a ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol this week.
“Adoption Awareness Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor the adoptive families in our state, as well as raise awareness for the continual need for services to assist children waiting for adoption across the state of Nebraska,” Gov. Pillen said.
Gov. Pillen was joined by representatives from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Children and Family Services (CFS), Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (NFAPA), and Families Forever, a program of the Nebraska Children’s Home Society. An adoptive family was also able to attend the event. CFS Director Alyssa Bish gave remarks proceeding the signing.
“Today, we also celebrate adoptees and honor their families of origin,” Director Bish said. “Each adoptee’s experience is unique, but they all have one thing in common: resilience through challenging circumstances.”
So far in 2024, more than 350 children have been adopted in the state of Nebraska, and more than 150 children are currently free for adoption. For National Adoption Day on November 23, 60 more children will be adopted into new families.
To learn more about how to adopt and its requirements, please contact NFAPA by calling 402-476-2273 or 1-800-772-7368, or by visiting its website at https://nfapa.org. You can also contact DHHS’s adoption specialist for more information at 402-219-2740 or DHHS.AdoptNEkids@nebraska.gov.
“By making the choice to adopt, you can make the difference in a child’s life,” Director Bish said.