By Jon Husted, Lt. Governor of Ohio
Read Lt. Governor Husted's bio.
Jon Husted is the 66th Lt. Governor of Ohio and started his life in a foster home before being adopted by his parents, Jim and Judy Husted.
November marks National Adoption Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the thousands of children waiting for permanent homes and to celebrate the families who have come together through adoption. For many, adoption is a blessing and a personal, meaningful experience. National Adoption Month holds a special place in my heart, as I was given the blessing of adoption.
My birth mother had a difficult choice. Her husband had died, she already had two young boys, a one-and-a-half-year-old and a three-year-old, and she became pregnant with another man who wanted her to terminate the pregnancy. Knowing she could not afford to raise another child, fortunately for me, she chose adoption. So, I began my life in a foster home where I stayed for the first two months of my life. After that short time, I was given the great gift of my two wonderful parents, Jim and Judy Husted, who chose adoption. They moved to Montpelier, Ohio, and started their family with me. Now with my two younger siblings – my sister was also adopted – we have a very loving, close-knit family. Adoption not only changed my life but has impacted each member of my family.
For those who may be considering adoption, it’s important to know that it provides a chance to make a lasting difference. In Ohio alone, more than 3,000 children are in foster care, waiting for permanent homes. And on average, children waiting for adoption spend about one to three years in the foster care system. Unfortunately, many children do not get adopted and eventually age out of the foster care system. Oftentimes, these individuals face challenges without the guidance and support a family can provide, like homelessness and poverty. By choosing adoption, families have the opportunity to offer support, guidance, security, and stability – changing the trajectory of a child’s life.
Ohio has taken important steps to make adoption more streamlined and accessible for prospective parents. Our fully online adoption and foster care portal, located at FosterAndAdopt.Ohio.gov, allows those interested in adopting to complete and submit their applications electronically. Previously, this process was completed by paper, which made the process much more time consuming. By moving this service online, Ohio has been able to help families start their adoption journey more quickly and efficiently.
At FosterAndAdopt.Ohio.gov, you can also find other resources that help support families interested in adoption. Prospective parents can find a local agency to guide them through the adoption process, and many offer counseling and training opportunities.
We want mothers across Ohio to have the support they need. My wife, Tina, and I have had the opportunity to visit many of the Pregnancy Resource Centers here in Ohio to learn more about the services they offer. Whether you are in a good place in life or you don't know where to turn, these centers are a great resource for women to learn about their options so they can make confident choices.
Adoption is more than just a legal process, it is a life-changing journey that brings hope, joy, and growth for everyone involved. For the adopted child, it offers a place to call home, a sense of security, and love. For adoptive parents, it provides an opportunity to build a family, share your blessings in life, and make a difference in a child’s future.
No matter what, we have to look out for our kids in Ohio. As we celebrate National Adoption Month, let’s honor the families who have adopted and raise awareness about the children still waiting for a place to call home and the blessing of a family. I hope you will take this time to explore this path and consider opening your heart and home to an adoptive child.
To learn more about adoption in Ohio or to fill out the foster and adoption parent inquiry form, visit FosterAndAdopt.Ohio.gov today.
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