Serenity & Alayah
Adopted
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Madison
17 years old
Adopted
Eager and hopeful for a forever family with siblings to look up to and love..
Loyal and smart, Madison is a survivor that's ready to thrive. Despite the hardships life has thrown her, Madison remains optimistic with a positive outlook on life. She encourages others to "do the right thing", and drives herself towards success, making straight A's this year in school. Madison wants to know that she is loved and accepted; she is a friendly child whose smile "lights up the room." She has a strong core of caretaker, protecting her friends and hoping to be a veterinarian in her future. Her favorite animal is a dog because "they provide comfort" -- and Madison is the kind of person who provides comfort to others, too. If she could change one thing about the world, she would "take away all the shooting." Although mature and thoughtful for her age, she still loves to play and have fun. Madison is most proud of her fashion sense and likes to go to "fun spots'' to relax. She loves reading, especially the Harry Potter series. Her favorite subject in school is Civics, to learn history. Madison is ready for a forever family, and while she's open to any family composition, writes "I would like a family with two dads, I want them to accept me for who I am and be supportive." Affectionate and forgiving, Madison impacts many with her bright smile and positive attitude. As she writes, "I don't always make good decisions, but I try to do what is best."
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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