FSS Adoption Event Brings Families Together in Time for Mother's Day

Jacksonville, Fla. (May 5, 2023) – Family Support Services and their community partners will host an adoption finalization event on Friday, May 12, at the Duval County Courthouse. This family-focused afternoon will include final adoption ceremonies for more than 20 children and celebration of at least seven adoptive families ahead of Mother’s Day. Nearly 300 children are currently awaiting adoption in Duval and Nassau counties. The Honorable Judge Michael A. Kalil and Honorable Judge W. Collins Cooper, dependency court judges, will preside over these proceedings.
 
Over the past 20 years of service on the First Coast, FSS has supported permanency through adoption for more than 5,800 children. Events like the annual Mother’s Day adoption ceremonies highlight the need for more families willing to adopt children in our local foster care system.
 
WHEN: 
Friday, May 12, 2023
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
 
Participating media outlets should arrive no later than 1 p.m. to interview Family Support Services CEO & President Jenn Petion, Judge Michael Kalil and any participating families.
 
Please connect with an FSS liaison on site when you arrive for guidance on which children and families are permitted to appear on camera, to protect the privacy rights of children who are still in the system of care.
 
WHERE: 
Duval County Courthouse
501 W. Adams Street
Courtroom 406
Jacksonville, FL 32202
                                            
The need for foster and adoptive families exists throughout the year. For more information about how to foster or adopt a child in care, go to familysupport.org.

About Family Support Services (FSS) Duval & Nassau Counties
Family Support Services is the lead agency for family preservation, foster care, and adoption services in Duval, Nassau, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Through community-based care, FSS provides services and programs to help prevent child abuse and neglect, to promote a healthy family environment and to care for our community’s children in foster care. For more information, go to www.familysupport.org.