Ta’Rahji
Adopted
Lilee
17 years old
Adopted
Thoughtful, Clever, and Cozy at Heart
Lilee, 16, is a soft-spoken old soul with a sharp mind and a gentle heart. Deeply introspective and emotionally mature, she’s a proud 10th grader and dreams of one day becoming a writer or an archivist—she’d love to spend her days reading old diaries and unraveling stories from the past. Lilee thrives in calm, cozy environments and is happiest curled up with a Marvel comic, journaling her thoughts, or visiting a museum. Lilee’s life hasn’t been easy—she’s navigated significant trauma, grief, and emotional loss—but she continues to show strength and a desire to heal. Her adoptive family should be trauma-informed and patient, offering structure, emotional safety, and encouragement. Lilee hopes to find a quiet home—perhaps with one or no other children—where she can feel seen, heard, and never overshadowed. She welcomes any family makeup and has no preferences for race or ethnicity. Pets (especially cats and dogs) are a big plus! Lilee has siblings that she must stay in connection with, especially her sister Allison. Although they have sibling rivalry and can have sister conflicts, they are bonded and it would be beneficial that they are adopted within close proximity of one another. If you're looking for a teenager with wisdom beyond her years, a clever sense of humor, and a sincere desire to connect, Lilee could be the one. She’s ready to write her next chapter—with a loving family by her side.
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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