National Adoption Month marks a special time for those touched by or working in the areas of adoption

November marks National Adoption Month; a special time for adoptive families and children to celebrate their families, and a time for agencies and organizations to raise awareness about adoption services and support available within their communities.

In light of this special month of awareness and attention, Jewish Family & Children’s Service’s (JF&CS) adoption division, Family Hope Connection (FHC), was recognized on Tuesday by Pittsburgh City Council. JoAnn White, director of FHC, and FHC staff members accepted a proclamation sponsored by Councilman Corey O’Connor, honoring FHC’s work for 16 years in helping to build and strengthen our community’s families. The proclamation declared Tuesday, November 18th, 2014 as “Family Hope Connection Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.

In the past year alone, FHC has completed 15 adoptions and helped more than 251 individuals and families through a multitude of services and support. As a licensed adoption and foster care agency, FHC staff work every day to find permanent, safe and loving homes for children in need of adoption and provide services for birth parents, families considering adoption, children in the foster care system and families who have adopted and need ongoing support, whether domestic or international.

FHC helps families and adoptive children adjust to new challenges and strengthen relationships, and assists with making connections to additional community resources to meet the new needs of growing families.

Pennsylvania also has the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) that works with the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (PAE) to assist waiting children in finding permanent and loving homes. Since its inception, FHC has been a SWAN affiliate and recently placed four children through SWAN with waiting families. Additionally, each year in November, the Allegheny County Children’s Court holds a special National Adoption Day celebration, finalizing a multitude of adoptions for waiting children, and celebrating with a festival of family activities.

Adoption is a life-changing experience for everyone involved, and the experienced staff at FHC provides compassionate support and expert guidance needed to strengthen families throughout the community.

Whether you are looking for guidance, are looking to adopt or have finalized an adoption and are seeking resources to help you care for your newly-expanded family, call Family Hope Connection at 412.422.8567 or visit www.fhcadopt.org for more information.

Photo: From Left to Right: JoAnn White, Family Hope Connection director, with Councilman Corey O’Connor and members of the FHC staff; Jessica Catalano, Megan Beakley and Cheryl Longstreet.