Tucson Standard

Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ) proclaimed that November is Adoption Awareness Month in Arizona.

The governor stressed the importance of connecting children with loving families in a recent news release from his office. Another purpose of the declaration was to raise awareness of adoption organizations "that support children in out-of-home care."

"Every child deserves a safe and loving home with a permanent family," Ducey said in the news release. "It takes the collaboration of public, charitable, faith-based, and business communities to expand opportunities for families and youth. This Adoption Awareness Month, we are highlighting resources like the Children's Heart Gallery to further our commitment to helping children in out-of-home care connect with a safe and loving family. We're dedicated to serving Arizona's children and families. My thanks to the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and organization[s] who have helped countless kids in need."

Arizona officials have connected nearly 27,000 children to safe, permanent homes through adoptions, the news release noted. This makes the state "a leader in helping to ensure better outcomes for Arizona children and families." The number of children in foster care declined by 30% since 2016. The state reunited nearly 45,000 children with their biological parents.

Mike Faust, director of DCS, spoke about the issue as well.

"We value adoptive families' service throughout the year, but National Adoption Month is an opportunity to commend their unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on children's lives," Faust said in the news release. "It also gives us the opportunity to call attention to the ongoing need to recruit adoptive parents and to encourage anyone interested in adopting or fostering a child to contact DCS to learn more about the process."

Ducey signed legislation in June to keep more families together, according to a previous news release from his office. This legislation raised the monthly stipend for grandparents and close relatives who are raising children in kinship care. That bill was paired with another that will allow DCS to create an expedient pathway to licensure for kin of children who need homes. Licensed caregivers will now receive the same level of financial support as foster care providers.