by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“Let me be the first to wish you a happy Mother’s Day.”
Those were Circuit Court Judge David Gooding’s words to Catherine Graves immediately after he made final the 400th public adoption in Duval County since last July 1. Graves adopted her grandson, 17-year-old Rodney Bennett, whose mother dropped him off at Graves’ home on July 4 and asked if Graves wanted authority over him. Bennett had been in foster care or staying with relatives since 1991.
The hearing was one of 40 held Friday after Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp unveiled the state’s new Web site for “Explore Adoption: Finding Families for Florida’s Kids,” Gov. Charlie Crist’s new initiative to promote public adoptions.
Kottkamp said statistics show Florida has made great strides when it comes to placing foster children in homes.
“We have shortened the average waiting time it takes to find a home for a child from 14 months to 10 months,” said Kottkamp. “In 2000 1,500 children were adopted and last year, it was 3,000, an 85 percent increase.”
He cautioned that more needs to be done.
“This is an ongoing challenge. Every year, more children need a new home,” said Kottkamp.
Jim Kallinger, chief child advocate in the governor’s office, said one of the purposes behind the new Web site is to educate potential parents about the advantages of public over private adoption.
“Public adoption costs little or no money. Families that adopt can receive monthly financial support and free health care for the child until the age of 18. Children are eligible for free tuition at any state university, community college or vocational school in Florida,” he said.
Gooding said he has signed more than 700 adoption orders.
“No two are the same,” said Gooding. “They are like fingerprints. As far as I’m concerned there is no order a Circuit Court judge can sign that is more significant than an order of adoption. It changes the world for the child, for his parents and for all of us when you graft a new branch onto a family tree.”
Visit www.adoptflorida.org to learn more or search for a child to adopt.
Photos by Max Marbut