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Click Here to Celebrate National Adoption Month by Supporting Local Kids in Foster Care!

Empress

8 years old
Adopted

Jumping for Joy to find her forever family—meet Empress!

Empress is an energetic and charismatic 7- year old girl with a radiant smile that lights up the room. She is the perfect combination of shy but also outgoing when she trusts you. Empress is assertive, confident, and always knows what she wants—a true go-getter in every sense of the word! Empress loves arts and crafts, playing outside, dancing, cooking, and being adventurous. Despite her bright personality, Empress has faced significant challenges in her young life. Past traumas have left her with a strong need for love, stability, and reassurance. Because of this, Empress would thrive best in a home where she is the only child, allowing her to receive the focused care and attention she deserves. Empress loves to be the center of attention and seeks it in any way she can—sometimes through positive interactions and, occasionally, by testing boundaries. Empress dreams of finding a forever family who looks like her and will celebrate her strengths and help her navigate the challenges she faces. With the right family, you’ll find a vibrant, resilient, and unforgettable young girl eager to thrive and jump through the obstacles of life with.

FAQs

If a child in foster care is in the Heart Gallery, reunification with their biological family was not possible so an adoptive family is needed. Most Heart Gallery children are at least 9 years old, part of a sibling group, and/or have special needs. All children in foster care have experienced abuse, abandonment, and/or neglect; therefore, need support to heal from the trauma they have experienced.

All children are different, with a variety of unique strengths and needs so all types of families are needed. In Florida, you must be at least 21 to adopt a child from foster care. There are no restrictions based on age, race, marital status, or sexual orientation. You may live in a home or apartment that you own or rent. Adoptive parents must have a stable income sufficient to support their family.

In Florida, there is no cost to adopt a child from foster care. In fact, families who adopt may qualify for a monthly adoption subsidy. Health care for children adopted from foster care is covered by Medicaid until age 18. They also receive free tuition at any Florida state college, university, or vocational school.Federal tax credits and exemptions may also be available. Visit the IRS website to learn more.

Prospective adoptive parents must complete Adoption Orientation, a 36-hour Professional Parenting course, have an approved home study, and approved background screenings. Most importantly, you must be willing to make a lifelong commitment to a child in need.

Yes. One of the benefits of adopting from Florida is having access to a comprehensive case history. You will be given information on the child’s background, medical history, and personality. This information helps you determine if your family is the right fit for the child.

This can vary greatly depending on the situation. However, as a general rule, it usually takes about 12 months from the time a family begins training to the time when a child is placed with the family.

Yes! Your approved home study should be accepted by any child welfare agency. Each circumstance will be assessed to determine if it is appropriate for a child to move out of state. Keep in mind these adoptions can be more complex and take longer, depending on the case.

Adoptions appear to be more stable when parents have flexible and realistic expectations for their children and when they use post-adoption supports to help with challenges.

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