Prince George’s County Department Of Social Services Adoption Celebration A Success

LARGO, MD - The Prince George's County Department of Social Services invited families of adopted children as well as staff Tuesday, November 22, to a celebration in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month.

The event, held at the Prince George's Community College in Largo, recognized dozens of families who adopted children in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the families and the social workers who helped bring the families together.

"It is an honor to be here to celebrate families who have welcomed children into their lives.  Adoption is one of the more positive aspects of social services," Christopher J. McCabe, Secretary, Maryland Department of Human Resources said.  "We remain committed to finding more loving homes for our children in the state of Maryland."

"Tonight we celebrate families, staff, attorneys, judges and community partners whom have all played a role in helping to give our children a chance at a better future with loving families," said Jacqueline Brown, Ph.D., Chief Administrative Officer.

James Dula, Ph.D., Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services and Karyn Lynch, Director, Prince George's County Department of Social Services presented certificates and raffle door prizes.

Christine Booker, age 12, performed an interpretive dance.  There was also a children's entertainer performing a magic show.

The Prince George's County Department of Social Services successfully placed 53 children in adoptive homes exceeding their goal of 43 placements set by the Department of Human Resources.  This is the second year in a row that the county has exceeded the goal, with 63 placements last fiscal year, seven higher than the goal of 56.  The goal set by DHR was based on the number of children in foster care with a plan for adoption.

There are more than 600 children in foster care in the Prince George's County Department of Social Services.  The majority of children come through cases of child abuse and neglect. 

Although the goal for the agency is to place as many foster children into permanent homes as possible, the agency's first aim is to help children to reunite with their birth parents. When this is not possible, children are placed into foster care with the hope of being moved into permanent homes.

If you are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent, call the Prince George's County Department of Social Services, Child, Adult and Family Services at (301)-909-2010 or visit www.goprincegeorgescounty.com for more information.