ST. LOUIS – Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS), one of Missouri’s oldest social service agencies and a trusted provider of life-changing services for children and families, today announced its support for National Adoption Month.
An initiative of the Children’s Bureau and observed each November, National Adoption Month is designed to raise awareness about the crucial role adoption plays in the lives of children and families.
“National Adoption Month is a time to celebrate the many ways that families are created, and to recognize the love and fulfillment that adoption can bring to countless lives,” said Mike Duggar, President and Chief Executive Officer of LFCS. “We are honored to stand with adoptive families during this important and special month.”
Throughout National Adoption Month, LFCS encourages individuals and communities to explore adoption as a way to make a lasting difference in the lives of children. By offering a wide range of adoption services, including counseling, education, financial assistance, and support groups, LFCS strives to create a nurturing environment for adoptive families and children in need.
According to The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the number of families waiting to adopt is estimated between one to two million, which is approximately 36 families for every child who is placed in adoption.
About LFCS
Lutheran Family and Children Services (LFCS) is a statewide agency headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri; regional offices in Columbia, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Joplin, and Kansas City; and numerous satellite counseling sites. LFCS serves Missouri families from all walks of life in their greatest times of need. The nonprofit social services organization provides four key support areas to help children and families in Southeast Missouri—Adoption, Behavioral Health, Parenting Education, and Pregnancy Support. The programs in these areas empower individuals and families to develop healthy, supportive foundations for a lifetime. Services are open to anyone regardless of race, faith, national origin, gender, or age.
By the Numbers: A Look at Adoption during National Adoption Month
November is National Adoption Month, a time to celebrate the transformative power of adoption and raise awareness about the need for loving families for children.
Courtesy of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS), here are some of the most current adoption statistics, including some specific to Missouri.
National
About 100,000 children are adopted through all adoptions each year.
Around 700,000 children are living with adoptive parents.
1 in 35 children in the United States is adopted.
50 percent of families with adopted children also have biological children.
Missouri
There were 1,298 private adoptions in 2020.
2,677 Missouri children were waiting to be adopted in 2021.
27 private adoptions in 2022 were conducted through LFCS.
Source: The Annie E. Casey Foundation, National Council on Adoption, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and LFCS.