Serenity & Alayah
Adopted
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Joshua & Leon
Adopted
Where Hope Finds a Home.
"Our bond is unbreakable."  When it comes to being the best big brother out there, Joshua takes the cake. In fact, when asked what three things he likes most about himself, he stated "I'm a good, big brother and I love how I dress".  He has a loving, protective nature, and a strong desire to ensure he and his brother are together and safe. Joshua is unique for his age in that he loves to help others and tends to put most people's needs before his own. He's an outgoing kid and loves talking to people and making them laugh. He loves basketball, playing Legos, and going to Adventure Island. He even just recently conquered his fear of going on the 70 ft waterslide! Leon is a playful little guy who loves his big brother more than anything. He is a joy to be around and those who know him best all agree he has a natural ability to fill your heart, even without trying. Leon prefers smaller social settings over large gatherings as he can get easily overwhelmed when there is lots going on around him. Leon's favorite thing to do is ride his scooter and he tries extremely hard in completing tasks and doing things on his own.  Leon has worked diligently to improve his speech this year and is making progress every day. Joshua and Leon have been through so much in their short lives. They both have a desire to give and receive love and look forward to being in a family setting. A structured family in a loving environment is best for these brothers. Any adoptive family will need to have a good understanding of Leon's needs and continue to advocate for him and encourage any and all of his accomplishments along the way.
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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