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Family Hope Connection recognized by City Council during National Adoption Month

November marks National Adoption Month; a special time for adoptive families and children to celebrate their families, and a time for agencies and organizations to raise awareness about adoption services and support.

In light of this special month of awareness, JF&CS’s Family Hope Connection (FHC) staff was recognized yesterday by Pittsburgh City Council. JoAnn White, director of FHC and FHC staff members accepted a proclamation sponsored by Councilman Corey O’Connor, honoring FHC’s work for more than 15 years in helping to build and strengthen our community’s families.

In the past year alone, FHC has completed 15 adoptions and helped more than 258 individuals and families through a multitude of services and support. As a licensed adoption and foster care agency, FHC staff work every day to find permanent, safe and loving homes for children in need of adoption and provide services for birth parents, families considering adoption, children in the foster care system and families who have adopted and need ongoing support, whether domestic or international. FHC helps families and adoptive children adjust to new challenges and strengthen relationships, and assists with making connections to additional community resources to meet the new needs of growing families.

Pennsylvania also has the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) that works with the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (PAE) to assist waiting children in finding permanent and loving homes. Since its inception, FHC has been a SWAN affiliate and recently placed three children through SWAN with waiting families.

Additionally, each year in November, the Allegheny County Children’s Court holds a special National Adoption Day celebration, finalizing a multitude of adoptions for waiting children, and celebrating with a festival of family activities.

Adoption is a life-changing experience for everyone involved, and the experienced staff at FHC provides compassionate support and expert guidance needed to strengthen families throughout the community. Whether you are looking for guidance, are looking to adopt or have finalized an adoption and are seeking resources to help you care for your newly-expanded family, call Family Hope Connection at 412.422.8567 or visit www.fhcadopt.org for more information.

Councilman Corey O’Connor and JoAnn White, FHC director with FHC staff members Diane Stol, Jessica Braden, Jessica Catalano and Cheryl Longstreet at City Council on Tuesday.