Needed: More loving parents

As a father, I feel blessed to experience one of life’s greatest rewards. And I understand the sacrifices that parents make to support their families. November is National Adoption Awareness month, and it’s a time to recognize the many children who need a permanent home, the families who adopt them, and the incredible efforts of all those who work in the foster care system. We often take for granted the precious gift of simply having a family, but you and I know that strong families are the true strength of America.

Every year, thousands of children go through the foster care system. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 51,000 foster children were adopted in the United States last year, including more than 600 from Louisiana. But 104,000 foster children across the country and almost 4,000 in Louisiana are still waiting for a permanent home.

By recognizing National Adoption Awareness month, we can hopefully spread the word to help find permanent homes for all foster children. Foster parents go above and beyond the call of parenthood by generously bringing another child into their home. They offer the love and support that change children’s lives. Additionally, as a strong defender of the dignity of human life, I recognize adoption as a way to provide the love and support that all children deserve. I have always been a big proponent of adoption, because I believe giving a child a chance at life and a better home is a solution we can all agree on.

I’ve been working on several initiatives in Congress to support adoption policies, like expanding tax credits for parents and other support for adoption. I’ll continue working on these issues to ensure that adoption continues to be an option for families to provide a warm, loving home for children.

It’s obvious that we face a significant battle, but our effort to protect our children must extend beyond the safety of shelters and beyond the halls of the Legislature. It must reach into our communities and our homes. As we build strong families, we build strong communities and a stronger Louisiana.

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on how we can help more Louisiana families with the issues important to you.

Please contact me with your ideas at any of my state offices or in my Washington office. You can also reach me online at http://vitter.senate.gov.