THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR JAY ROCKEFELLER.

Washington, D.C. – Senator Jay Rockefeller today highlighted National Adoption Day, which is being observed on November 15, and the 129,000 children in foster care nationwide waiting to find permanent homes. On average, these children spend more than three years waiting in the foster care system for a family.

“I’m incredibly grateful to all the devoted families who have opened their homes and hearts to children who need them most through adoption,” Rockefeller said. “Over the years, we’ve made such good progress moving children out of foster care, but there’s so much work to do for the thousands of children in West Virginia still waiting for safe and nurturing homes.”

“On National Adoption Day, I’d like to celebrate and thank the families who have already made this special choice, and encourage families who might be interested to really think about such a life-changing commitment,” Rockefeller continued. “There are so many children who deserve and are dreaming of loving homes. And through the many adoptive families I’ve met across West Virginia, I know it’s an amazing and rewarding experience to make those dreams come true.”

Rockefeller is a long-time supporter of adoption and permanency for children, having led the charge 10 years ago to pass key federal adoption incentives through the Adoption and Safe Families Act. Over the last decade, these incentives have helped double the number of adoptions of foster children nationwide and in West Virginia. More than 3,600 West Virginian children have moved from foster care to permanent families.

In October, legislation championed by Rockefeller to reauthorize these incentives, and to update state incentives to encourage permanency for children in foster care through adoption or guardianship, was signed into law. The new measure also promotes relatives as guardians as long as they pass the same safety standards as foster parents, and eases the transition of 18-year-olds out of foster care.