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Message from BFP Executive Director, Valerie Holmes
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 November is recognized as National Adoption Awareness Month, founded in 1990 to increase the number of children adopted from foster care and celebrate the unique joys of creating forever families while raising awareness of the need for adoptive homes for children in foster care. All children deserve a loving permanent home and the process of adoption formally solidifies the lifelong relationship between adoptive parents and children.
Since our inception in 2005, I am pleased to report that Brevard Family Partnership has finalized 966 adoptions! Every child deserves a champion!
In adoption, the adoptive family is given the privilege of writing the parts of the child's story that have not yet been written. "He who can reach a child's heart can reach the worlds heart." - Rudyard Kipling
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The month of November is National Adoption Month. One of the goals of National Adoption Month is to bring awareness and attention to children within our foster system who are in need of a permanent forever family.
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n 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first "National Adoption Week". In his national proclamation, President Reagan states that, "
Families have always stood at the center of our society, preserving good and worthy traditions from our past and entrusting those traditions to our children, our greatest hope for the future. At a time when many fear that the family is in decline, it is fitting that we give special recognition to those who are rebuilding families by promoting adoption.
More children with permanent homes mean fewer children with permanent problems. That is why we must encourage a national effort to promote the adoption of children, and particularly children with special needs."
In 1995, President Clinton extended Adoption Awareness Week to a Month long recognition.
Raising awareness has brought about much needed change within the foster and adoption care system.
Last fiscal year, Brevard Family Partnership alongside our partner agency IMPOWER, facilitated 96 adoptions. We would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to help these children find their forever families!
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"Teens Need Families, No Matter What"
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Each year, National Adoption Month focuses on a new adoption related theme. This year's theme is "Teens Need Families", No Matter What". Learn more about the campaign online here.
There is a great need for people to foster and adopt children of all age groups, however, one of the biggest needs is our teen population. Many of our teens end up in group h
omes and often age out of the system before they ever find a forever family.
We know there are often many questions and concerns regarding fostering or adopting teenagers. Check out some "Facts & Myths" about teenagers in care.
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Interested in Adoption? Visit our Heart Gallery
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We all know that children are special...but adopted children are chosen! Adoption is permanence for a child; it means the child has a 'forever' family who will be there for them through the good times and the challenges.
The
Heart Gallery is Brevard Family Partnership's platform to educate our community about public child adoptions and to introduce prospective foster parents and families to the children who are in search of their "forever home".
Zachary Reichert, Community Adoption Liaison
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Decades in Revue Lip Sync Battle Recap
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On Saturday, October 21, 2017, the biggest stars of Brevard County took the stage to lip sync and perform
a song inspired by this year's theme, the "Awesome 80's". As the feature fundraiser for Brevard Family Partnership, the 3rd Annual Decades in Revue Lip Sync Battle raised funds to help Brevard's most vulnerable children.
Thank you to our
sponsors,
performers,
judges, emcees, committee members, volunteers, and donors who helped make the event a huge success!
Congratulations to the winners of the "Awesome 80's" lip sync battle!
First Place and Top Fundraiser
Catherine, Doug & Ana Cate Wright
Second Place and Best Performance
The Roy Allen Panthers
Third Place
The Junior League & Friends
Congratulations and thank you to all of our "awesome" performers!
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What if you could help make a difference in the life and future of a child in Brevard?
Brevard Family Partnership is looking for individuals who are willing to open their hearts and homes to a child in foster care.
Foster families are some of the most extraordinary people in our
community -
your friends and neighbors who open their hearts and homes to the many children every year who suffer abuse or neglect. Join them and give a c
hild
a safe play to stay. Take an active role in their life and contribute to their health and well-being each day with guidance and support.
Help us give children in foster care a brighter future.
Who can become a foster parent?
You may be eligible for foster parenting if you are:
- At least 21 years old
- Married or Single
- Financially Stable
- Committed to loving and nurturing a child in your home
- Able to physically accommodate children in your home
- Rent or own a residence
- Willing to work in partnership with everyone involved in the child's life to meet the child's needs
- dedicated to help a child reunify wit their biological family
- Committed to attending required training sessions
Foster a Future.
Ready to Make a Difference In the Life of a Child?
Join us for an informational session and get answers to all of your questions from professionals in the field like, foster parents, adoptive parents, licensing and adoption experts.
Contact our Recruitment Specialist Christina Gagum to find out additional information at 321.752.4650 x3031 or
foster@brevardfp.org.
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Every year, Brevard Family Partnership, Brevard C.A.R.E.S., and Family Allies join forces with local partners to ensure every child in our care has a gift to open on Christmas day.
It is only with the community's support that we are able to provide gifts for these children and help make their holiday season merry and bright.
How can you help? It's Easy!
- Allow your place of business to be a collection site for donated gifts
- Engage your employees and "adopt" as many children as you can as an organization! We will provide you with a specific wish list from each child.
- Make a financial donation to Brevard Family Partnership and specify the funds be used to purchase gifts. We'll do the shopping.
For Additional Information or to Make a Donation Contact:
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A Brighter Future for Independent Living Youth
Brevard Family Partnership offers a proven program that ensures any child exiting the foster care system without their high school diploma will have a chance at achieving their GED.
A solid education is the cornerstone for success and with a GED, former foster children can begin to move towards independence with the education they need to attend college, a university, or vocational school or enter the workforce.
That's why we've teamed up with Pat and Nancy Higgs from
Education Solutions International, a leader in education advances to develop
GED FastTrack, an intense, fast-paced program that prepares young adults who have exited the foster care system, to take (and pass) the GED exam.
Pat and Nancy were featured at our 2017 Decades in Revue Lip Sync Battle. We had the opportunity to hear from some of the incredible young adults who have been impacted by this life changing program! Check out their testimonials and hear more about the program below.
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 As Brevard Family Partnership, Brevard C.A.R.E.S, and Family Allies continue to grow and expand, we would like to introduce you to some our amazing team members. Each month, we will be highlighting one of our employees.
Utilizing and recognizing our teammates' gifts and talents help us to grow and learn from one another.
Helen Keller said it best "Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much."
This month, we are featuring the BFP's Leadership Team Co- Chair, Melissa Eady.
Here are a few fun facts about Melissa:
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