Interested in exploring adoption?
The need is great, and finding information just became easier.
File photo: Floraida Suarez, 3, and Diangelo Suarez, 3, sit in Santa’s lap as Judge Stacy Youmans grants 18 adoptions during the annual Home for the Holidays hearing at the Marion County Courthouse Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Ocala, [Alan Youngblood/Ocala Gazette]
The Florida Department of Children and Families has launched a new and improved website—adoptflorida.org—to help families interested in adoption.
“The decision to expand your family by opening your home to a child in need is one of the greatest acts of love one can offer, and we want to make that decision and process easier for prospective adoptive families to navigate,” said DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris.
According to a spokesperson for the Marion County Clerk of Court, 141 final orders of adoption were entered in Marion County for the calendar year of 2024; 113 in 2023; 154 in 2022; and 140 in 2021.
But the need for adoptive parents remains great in Marion County, which has a significantly higher rate of fostered children than the state average, according to Florida Department of Health data.
| Children in foster Care (aged 0-17 years), rate per 100,000 population | Count | Denominator | Rate |
| State of Florida | 21,031 | 4,356,300 | 482.8 |
| Highest FL counties | |||
| Hillsborough | 1,918 | 332,946 | 576.1 |
| Miami-Dade | 1,395 | 549,590 | 253.8 |
| Duval | 1,366 | 231,722 | 589.5 |
| Pinellas | 1,258 | 147,816 | 851.1 |
| Broward | 1,061 | 405,369 | 261.7 |
| Orange | 1,014 | 314,570 | 322.3 |
| Polk | 939 | 172,920 | 543.0 |
| Palm Beach | 917 | 284,065 | 322.8 |
| Brevard | 818 | 113,621 | 719.9 |
| Lee | 789 | 138,365 | 570.2 |
| Pasco | 784 | 121,352 | 646.1 |
| Escambia | 715 | 69,378 | 1,030.6 |
| Marion | 644 | 73,753 | 873.2 |
| Volusia | 572 | 99,995 | 572.0 |
| Manatee | 493 | 73,439 | 671.3 |
| Seminole | 441 | 99,059 | 445.2 |
| Leon | 359 | 55,397 | 648.0 |
(source: FLHealthCharts.gov/2023 data)
The recent website enhancements aim to provide information about the adoption process and connect prospective adoptive parents with information about pre- and post-adoption support, orientation and preparation classes, one-on-one support with an adoption specialist and personalized plans to enhance the adoption journey.
According to the DCF press release, prospective adoptive parents can also contact Florida’s Adoption Information Center at 1-800-96-ADOPT with questions. The department’s goal is to connect those interested in exploring adoption within two business days to a local adoption specialist who can provide information, assess readiness and guide the next steps.
To learn more, go to adoptflorida.org
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