240 children in Indiana still wait for adoptive homes

Approximately 240 children in the Indiana foster care system are currently waiting for adoptive families.

According to the Indiana Department of Child Services, the average age of these children is between 12 and 13 years old. Children with more complex needs, older children, and sibling groups often experience longer waits for permanent placement compared to other children in the system.

Gov. Mike Braun signed a proclamation recognizing November as Adoption Month in Indiana during a ceremony at the Statehouse on Thursday. The Carman family, who formed their family through adoption, attended the event alongside state officials. Braun stated that creating a family through adoption is a life-changing act that has a lasting impact on the adopted children, their new families, and the communities they join.

Jennifer Dorfmeyer, the director of the Department of Child Services, said she knows how special the month is as an adoptive parent. She noted that the department is committed to ensuring every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, and permanent home. The department plans to share resources and information throughout November to help prospective adoptive families understand the process and prepare to welcome a child.

State officials encourage families capable of providing supportive homes to consider adoption, with a specific focus on older children and sibling groups who may spend more time waiting for placement.