More Homes Needed to Care for Marion Children in Need

Josh and Heather Tackett, along with Marion County Children Services’ staff, accept a proclamation from the Marion County Commissioners.

The Marion County Commissioners issued a proclamation Thursday recognizing November as National Adoption Awareness Month. With the proclamation, Marion County Children Services honored the Tacketts who adopted three boys last month, but also highlighted the need for more foster and adoptive parents.

Josh and Heather Tackett have been licensed foster-to-adopt parents since February 2011. Three boys were placed with them in April 2011 for what the Tackett’s and Children Services thought would be a temporary, short-term placement. After three and a half years in their home, Josh and Heather adopted the boys on October 4, 2014.

Marion County Children Services says that 87% of their adoptions over the last couple of years have been by the child’s foster parent.

“While this is excellent news, this also means that we are losing available slots for our foster children,” said Terrie Robinson, MCCS Community Education and Placement Services Coordinator. “Yet more children are entering care compared to last year.”

Robinson said their available foster homes are nearing capacity and that children are staying in care longer.

“We need more foster and adoptive homes,” said Robinson.

Training classes begin on Friday, November 7, 2014, but Robinson said there are options for making up classes and prospective foster parents can start the process at any time.

For more information, call 740-386-0452 or visit www.marionkids.com.

National Adoption Awareness Month Proclamation

Marion County Board of Commissioners

WHEREAS, during National Adoption Month, Marion County recognizes the importance of adoption in giving children permanent, safe, and loving families; and

WHEREAS, there are more than 104,000 children in the United States foster care system, with over 3,000 of those living in Ohio, who are waiting to be adopted; and

WHEREAS, nearly all of these children have special needs; and

WHEREAS, four children have been adopted through Marion County Children Services this year;

WHEREAS, we will continue to raise awareness and remind everyone that “We Need You”; adoption provides a unique opportunity to improve children’s lives and enrich the lives of adoptive parents, their families, and their communities; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED; that we, by virtue of the authority vested in us as Commissioners of the County of Marion in the State of Ohio, so hereby proclaim November 2014 as “National Adoption Awareness Month.” We thank those who are willing and able to adopt children with special needs, as they are at the forefront of fulfilling our responsibility to one of our most vulnerable populations. We encourage all citizens to observe this month by honoring adoptive families and participating in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF; we, the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Ohio, have hereunto subscribed our names and caused the Official Seal of Marion County, Ohio to be affixed this 6th day of November 2014.