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Carmelo

10 years old
Adopted

Carmelo is a determined little guy, ready to explore the world around him.

Carmelo enters the room and brings with him an infectious, bubbling energy. It could be his singing or clapping or just his happy smile, but you can’t help but smile back when sharing space with Carmelo. He’s friendly and outgoing, curious about the world and the people around him. Although Carmelo is unable to communicate verbally, he shows great potential for the future – and he finds other ways to communicate, such as signing or gestures. One distinctive quality that Carmelo already demonstrates is determination. With communication or other skills, Carmelo never gives up. His positive attitude also finds its way in his determination to be better and spread happiness. He recently learned how to stack Legos by color and he practices his pronunciation for speech every day. There’s a lot of pride in Carmelo’s progress and his incredible potential. Sweet, loving, and kind, Carmelo truly shines. As his caregiver notes, “you just can’t help but love this little boy.”

Serenity & Alayah

Adopted

Rondoe

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Jasmine

Adopted

Leo

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Photographer

Jonathan Fanning

What makes a Jonathan Fanning portrait so very special? First and foremost it is our desire to create a portrait for you which helps you look your very best and also which gently makes an expression of your character and personality. All of us here will spare no effort or expense to totally please you. We truly want to create the finest portrait; for you. Careful planning is one of the main differences which separates the work of Jonathan Fanning from that of other portrait photographers. We spend time with you before, during, and after the photography; planning everything to help you learn what clothing is most complementary, how to use make-up most effectively, and what time of day is best for your portrait to be created. These are the factors, which combine to make your portrait truly outstanding! Our clients find this planning time very helpful. His personal commitment is another reason that your portraits are so beautiful. It is that careful, loving touch that separates Jonathan Fanning from the rest. Of course, the major reason for the unique sensitivity of the portraits is Mr. Fanning, himself. His enthusiasm, sincerity, and true desire to create a lasting portrait of you, can be found in very few photographic artists today. His careful blend of psychology, art, and photographic technique give his works a very special style that is both modern and timeless.

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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