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Did you know that our biggest adoption month each year is National Adoption Month (November)?
On November 18th, 2015 (National Adoption Day) alone, we had six children (all girls) finalize their adoptions! We had one additional adoption at the end of November, making a total of seven total children and teens adopted during the month of November.
In 2015, 32 children and teens throughout Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties were either matched with a family, or finalized their adoption with a family they were matched with!
Thanks to the generosity of all the donors who chose to be Rudolph Champions in 2015, contributing financially, purchasing items from children’s wish lists and/or sponsoring one of over 60 toy drives in our community, we were able to not only meet our goal, but exceed it!
Heartland for Children believes there is a great benefit to every parent having access to education regarding infant massage. Research has shown that parents trained in infant massage can use the skill as an effective parenting technique to sooth irritable babies, thus helping to reduce parental stressors, among other things. Infant Massage is an opportunity for Heartland for Children to work collaboratively with other agencies toward improved caregiver/infant bonding, overall wellness for caregiver and infant, as well as decreased child maltreatment rates.
It’s not just about helping the children, the children impact our lives as well. My family is multi-cultured, it is a learning experience for everyone. Both the children and the foster family learns each other’s cultures- what foods they like, what products they use, etc. We take the children with us on outings to the beach, theme parks, and treat them the same as our own children. The children are a part of our family.
Andrea & Charles Mills - Foster Parent