Elijah
Adopted
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Alexis
16 years old
Adopted
5, 6, 7, 8, Who do we appreciate?! Alexis!!!
Meet Lexi, a spirited teen with big dreams of becoming a criminal defense lawyer one day and a passion for cheerleading that keeps her moving! She's got high expectations for herself and is determined to achieve her goals. Like most teens, Alexis will have her share of ups and downs, so she'll need a family that not only understands the challenges of adolescence but also recognizes the impact of her past trauma. Because Alexis is so connected with her school and her cheerleading team, she wishes to remain at her local high school. Therefore, families will be explored on a case by case depending on their location. Alexis is open to a family of any makeup, however, she would prefer a home with no cats. Alexis loves going to the beach, going to the mall, watching romance movies, hanging out with her friends, and eating her favorite food- waffles. Alexis does not like fast food, therefore, a family that eats healthy and cooks meals together would be her preference. Alexis is described as sweet, gentle, kind, caring, and goofy. She loves dad jokes and making her friends laugh. Lexi’s biggest fear in being adopted is, “That my new family won’t accept me.” She’s looking for a supportive, active, young family who’s ready to cheer her on—both on the field and in life.
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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