National Adoption Month 2019

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Spread the Word

Thousands of children and youth across the country need permanent families. You can make a difference by raising awareness in your community. Use these communications tools to share important information and resources!

Sample Social Media

Sample Outreach

Contact media, bloggers, local community groups, and notify your colleagues using these
messages in newsletters, emails, blog posts, and more!

• Email messages
• Press releases

Graphics

Raise awareness with your public profile and with every email you send!

• Email signature badge
• Facebook banner
• Twitter banner

Key Facts and Statistics

1. There are over 123,000 children and youth waiting to be adopted who are at risk of aging out of foster
   care without permanent family connections. (AFCARS report)
2. Approximately one in five children in the U.S. foster care system waiting to be adopted are teens.
3. Only 5 percent of all children adopted in 2017 were 15 - 18 years old.
4. The risk of homelessness and human trafficking is increased for teenagers in foster care.
5. According to the most recent AFCARS report, of the 123,000 children and youth waiting to be adopted:
   • 52 percent are male
   • 48 percent are female
   • 22 percent are African American
   • 22 percent are Hispanic
   • 44 percent are white
   • The average age is eight years old
   • 11 percent are between 15 and 17 years old
   • Average time in foster care is 31 months
      

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