Eckerd Community Alternatives Exceeds Annual Adoption GoalsLARGO - Eckerd Community Alternatives announced today that the local system of care has exceeded its annual statewide adoption goal by finalizing a total of 321 adoptions against a target goal of 274. The target goal was established by the Florida Department of Children and Families for Pinellas and Pasco Counties for 2008-09. This accomplishment means that hundreds of children formerly in foster care now have permanent, loving homes. "Of all the outcomes the State holds us accountable to, our adoption targets are some of the most significant as they ensure our children have the permanency they truly deserve", declared Lorita Shirley, Executive Director of Eckerd Community Alternatives, lead agency for child welfare services in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. "We'd like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our case management agencies, stakeholders and community partners. Moreover, we'd like to express our gratitude to the real heroes - the hundreds of families in our community who opened their hearts and homes to adopt". This announcement is being made as Governor Charlie Crist's proclaims (July 22, 2009) Explore Adoption Day in the State of Florida. For the second year in a row, Florida experienced a record-breaking number of adoptions with more than 3,700 in 2008-09 and 3,674 in 2007-08. With nearly 3,000 children in the local child welfare system and more than 100 who are free and available for adoption at any given time in Pinellas and Pasco Counties, the public is urged to explore adoptions by accessing the following resources:
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