Adoption Awareness Month
Effective Date: Thursday, November 1st, 2012
WHEREAS, Alaska’s children are our state’s future and greatest treasure; and
WHEREAS, the safety, care, and development of our children is a priority in our state, and every child deserves to know the security and love of a stable family; and
WHEREAS, although the State makes every effort possible to keep children in their natural homes; tragically, many Alaskan children have parents who are unable or unwilling to provide adequate care. On average, over 1,800 children in Alaska are living in out-of-home care on a given day; and
WHEREAS, adoption is a way for these children to experience the security, encouragement, and love of a permanent family. During fiscal year 2012, 316 former foster children were formally adopted by Alaskan families; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans interested in adoption can learn more from the Office of Children’s Services online at hss.state.ak.us/ocs/Adoptions/aboutAdoption.htm; and
WHEREAS, in honor of adopted children and parents who have selflessly opened their homes to include these children and invest in their lives, and in order to increase awareness of the need for adoptive homes and adoption in Alaska, we observe Adoption Awareness Month in November.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim November 2012 as:
Adoption Awareness Month
in Alaska, and encourage Alaskans to celebrate and support adopted children and parents across Alaska, and to consider the possibility of adopting an Alaskan child into a loving, ‘forever’ family home.
Dated: October 29, 2012
