Declaring November, 2004 as "Adoption Month" in Philadelphia and recognizing the Philadelphia Department of Human Services in their efforts to ensure permanency in the lives of Philadelphia's children and families.

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) is charged with the mission of providing nurturing and caring homes for young people in need of loving families; and

WHEREAS, When young people are placed in nurturing, permanent environments the impact on their lives can be tremendous, as they achieve remarkable mental, physical, psychological, emotional and social growth; and

WHEREAS, DHS has made an outstanding improvement since the mid-nineties on adoption rates from two hundred twelve (212) adoptions in fiscal year 1995 to six hundred fifty (650) adoptions in fiscal year 2000, and seven hundred fifty-four (754) in fiscal year 2004; and

WHEREAS, Working to strengthen partnerships, improve accountability and increase support for both staff and families are hallmarks of DHS Commissioner Cheryl Ransom-Gamer's vision; and

WHEREAS, A partnership with the Freddie Mac Foundation, the National Adoption Center, and NBC 10 is producing a year-round awareness of the need for adoptive resources in Philadelphia through Wednesday's Child; and

WHEREAS, Realizing that the collective energy of partnerships make good things happen, DHS has partnered with the Faith-based Partnership for Adoption, the Statewide Adoption Network, and the National Adoption Center to ensure that positive adoptions continue not just this month but year round; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby declare November, 2004 “Adoption Month” in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Department of Human Services for their efforts to place children with nurturing adoptive families as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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