National Adoption Month: Families handcrafted with love

Every child deserves a place to belong, trusted adults who care, and family connections that last a lifetime.  

During National Adoption Month this November, Fairfax County’s theme is "Families Handcrafted with Love." Each family is uniquely made. Every family's journey is different, and all are shaped by love, support, and a commitment to helping children thrive.  

Every Child Deserves a Family

During National Adoption Month this November, Fairfax County is raising awareness about the urgent need for adoptive families for children and youth in foster care.  

• Across the nation more than 45,000 children are legally free for adoption.  
• Over 1,000 foster children in the commonwealth of Virginia, including 13 in Fairfax County, are waiting for adoptive families.

Children enter foster care through no fault of their own. Whenever possible, the goal is to safely reunite children with their parents once the issues that led to the child entering care have been resolved. When reunification is not possible, adoption can provide children with the permanence, stability, and lifelong connections they need to succeed.

A Family for Every Child

This year's national theme, "A Home for Every Child," highlights the importance of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up with the love and support of a permanent family.

Fairfax County’s greatest need is for loving homes to care for children in sibling groups, school-aged children and teens, and children with special needs. Youth are never too old to be adopted.  

Unfortunately, youth leaving foster care without a permanent connection face challenges with employment, education, and mental health, and they have an increased risk of homelessness and human trafficking.  

Adoption creates lasting relationships that provide children with encouragement, guidance, and a sense of belonging throughout their lives which can help them stay on a path to success. Sometimes it‘s relatives or close family friends who answer the call to step up and become family to a child in foster care.  

While each child's story is different, they all share a common need: caring adults who will support them, celebrate their achievements and stand by them through life's challenges.

If you want to make a difference in a child’s life, consider becoming a foster or adoptive parent. Adults 18 and older, renters or homeowners, married, single or divorced (including LGBTQ couples) are eligible to be foster to adoptive parents.

Learn more. Complete a short interest form to attend an information meeting. The next meeting is Dec. 8, 5:30-7 p.m.

Check out this inspirational local Adoption Success Story: Adopting Le’Asia

Shantae Terrell is a devoted relative caregiver turned adoptive parent, who has created a loving, stable, and welcoming home for 3-year-old Le’Asia. A single parent, Shantae and her teenage son, Dashaun have embraced Le’Asia as part of their family. Shantae brings deep experience in caring for children through both family life and work in the school system. The family offers Le’Asia not only permanence, but connection to a large, involved extended family. Learn more about this special family through this video.

How the Community Can Help

Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone can help support children and families.

Community members can:

• Learn more about foster care and adoption.
• Support foster, kinship, and adoptive families. Donate to Foster Care Packages.
• Mentor or volunteer with youth-serving organizations.
• Share information about the need for permanency and belonging.
• Help strengthen the network of support available to children and families through partner organizations like Project Belong.

Even small acts of support can make a meaningful difference in a child's life.

Interested in learning more? 

Contact the Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption Program at BeAFosterParent@fairfaxcounty.gov to learn about adoption, foster care and other ways to support children and families in our community.