Hamilton County always needs adoptive parents, especially for teenagers and sibling groups. During National Adoption Month in November, the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services will build awareness about adoption with these and other activities:

Fourth-Annual Mass Adoption Day
Several families will finalize adoption of children from Hamilton County's child protection system on Nov. 19 in the fourth-annual mass adoption ceremony at Probate Court.  While adoption finalizations are normally confidential, the families have agreed to invite the media.

Appreciation event at Cincinnati Zoo
Families that adopted children through Hamilton County in the previous year and those with kids in their home as an adoptive placement (just not finalized yet) will be treated to an evening of fun at the Cincinnati Zoo on Nov. 19.

"Filling Family Portraits" in Columbus
Ohio Adoption Advocacy Day's "Filling Family Portraits" will be held noon-1:30 p.m., Nov. 30, at the Ohio Statehouse. Click here for more information.

More than 70 children have been adopted through Hamilton County this year. About 200 await adoption.

Hamilton County investigates more than 6,000 reports of child abuse and neglect a year. When intensive services fail and a child can no longer remain safe in a parent’s care, the county seeks custody of the child and attempts to find a safe and loving adoptive home. That sometimes takes months or years.

Children available for adoption come from a variety of backgrounds, neighborhoods, economic circumstances and living situations. They may have varying levels of medical, emotional or behavioral problems. They all bring their own personalities, strengths, interests and gifts.

Any Ohio resident over 18 years old is eligible. Adoptive parents must:
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Pass a physical to show they are in good physical health and capable of caring for children
• Pass a local, state and federal (if not a resident of Ohio for the past five years) background check
• Pass a home study process (includes fire inspection as well as other rules and regulations)
• Pass more than 30 hours of specialized training

Learn more at www.hckids.org or by calling (513) 632-6366 or e-mailing adoption@jfs.hamilton-co.org.