Serenity & Alayah
Adopted
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Leo
Adopted
Leo is ready for his next big adventure.
Leo is such a sweet and loving boy and one of his favorite things to do is make people laugh. He is a busy kiddo and needs to stay active. He loves trying new things and has even tried his hand at karate, swimming, and water ski lessons. He loves the beach, singing and dancing, riding his hoverboard, building Legos, and playing with friends. One of the most amazing qualities about little Leo is that he never gives up. He has good days and bad days, just like everyone else, but is always trying to improve and is quick to get right back into the swing of things when he has an off day. Leo’s foster mom is extremely important to him, and it is critical that this relationship is maintained even after he is adopted. A family that lives locally or one who would commit to traveling to see her is ideal. Leo would do well with a one or two parent family however does respond well to males in his life. Leo will need a family who can continue to advocate for his needs, help him heal from his past trauma, and jump at the chance to go on adventures with him!
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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