FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2018) – Governor Matt Bevin, First Lady Glenna Bevin, and Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) officials recently honored several families from across the Commonwealth for their service as adoptive and foster parents to some of the state's most vulnerable children.
Families from each of the nine CHFS Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) service regions, as well as a Foster Family of the Year and an Adoptive Family of the Year, were recognized at a recent Governor's Mansion reception. All were selected and honored for their dedication to caring for children in custody of DCBS or making the commitment of adoption.
The Governor and First Lady have long been advocates of adoption and foster care, personally parenting nine children, of whom four are adopted.
First Lady Bevin, in partnership with the Governor's Office of Faith and Community Based Initiatives, Orphan Care Alliance, and several local organizations, has launched "Uniting Kentucky," an initiative that engages the faith community, local government, and nonprofit organizations to empower Kentucky families to support Kentucky children who are in out-of-home care.
CHFS Secretary Adam Meier said that safe reunification is always a priority for CHFS staff and partners, and foster parents meet critical needs for children during a time of profound transition.
More than 9,500 children are in out-of-home care in Kentucky. Learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent at adopt.ky.gov or call 1-800-232-KIDS (5437).
To download photos of honorees, click here.