State Awarded for Adoption Excellence
The State of Hawai`i was recently honored with the national 2007 Adoption Excellence Award for its promotion of finding loving, permanent homes for foster children in Hawai`i.
Hawai`i is one of 15 recipients of the prestigious award from the U.S. Department of Human Services and one of only two honorees in the category of Child Welfare System Improvement.
"This success is due in large part to a much closer collaboration among the Department of Human Services, the Family Court, the University of Hawai`i and community and faith-based organizations," Lt. Governor Aiona said.
Lt. Governor Aiona presented the award to state Department of Human Services Director Lillian Koller during a news conference at the State Capitol.
"We will continue to develop public-private partnerships and innovative solutions to meet the needs of Hawai`i foster children, while encouraging stronger family and community support to help these children succeed," Lt. Governor Aiona said.
In 1997, there were 150 adoptions in Hawai`i; by 2005, that number increased nearly threefold to 431 adoptions.
"We are not yet satisfied," Lt. Governor Aiona said. "And we will not be satisfied until every child awaiting adoption is placed with a loving family."
