Teegan
Adopted
Elias
18 years old
Adopted
Where hope finds a home.
Elias possesses many talents: a gifted, acclaimed pianist; well-read and intelligent; charismatic and upbeat. Elias is ready for a caring family to nurture his artistic skills and support his creative thinking. Elias's background is as distinctive as his talents. He's survived personal tragedy and child stardom, retaining his love of music and positive demeanor. Elias fills a room with his positive, energetic personality. He relates well to adults and is focused on honing his talents-- Elias wants to be a concert pianist when he grows up, and with his "perfect pitch" and past experiences, it's a viable goal, not just a dream. In school, Elias is good at math and enjoys jazz band. His friends describe him as "energetic and fun" and the best book he's ever read is Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. His proudest moment is playing two sold-out concerts in California, and if he could change one thing about the world it would be, "everybody who is grieving would have a friend to help them." Elias admits he likes to have fun and laugh a lot. Outgoing and with a great sense of humor, this musical prodigy hopes for an "accepting family, supportive but not demanding of my music ability; a family that is open-minded."
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.
Your Gift: Hope, Love, & Transformation
Your kindness fuels our mission. Donate to The Heart Gallery of Tampa, support unique photo experiences for foster children, and advocate for their rights. See your gift ignite powerful, positive change.
