November is National Adoption Month, a time to celebrate the transformative power of adoption and raise awareness about the need for loving families for children. Courtesy of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services (LFCS), here are some of the most current adoption statistics, including some specific to Missouri.
National
- 114,000 children are eligible for adoption.
- More than 50,000 children are adopted from foster care each year
- About 100,000 children are adopted through all adoptions each year.
- Around 700,000 children are living with adoptive parents.
- 1 in 35 children in the United States is adopted.
- Approximately 95% of domestic infant adoptions are considered to be open or semi-open adoptions
- 50 percent of families with adopted children also have biological children.
Statewide
- There were 1,298 private adoptions in 2020 and 1,652 adoptions from foster care
- 2,677 Missouri children were waiting to be adopted in 2021.
- The most common ages for children waiting to be adopted in Missouri is between 1-4 years old
- 5 in 1,000 Missouri children entered foster care in 2021 (national average is 3.5 children per 1,000).
- 27 private adoptions in 2022 were conducted through LFCS.
Throughout National Adoption Month, LFCS encourages individuals to learn more about the adoption process and celebrate the journey of those who chose adoption. By offering a wide range of adoption services, including counseling, education, financial assistance, and support groups, LFCS strives to create a nurturing environment for all members of the adoption triad.
For anyone considering adoption, we encourage you to visit https://lfcsmo.org/adoption-services. You can find comprehensive info about our adoption process, helpful resources for birth families and adoptive couples, as well as an overview of the couples currently seeking placement. If you have any questions or want to speak with one of our professional case managers, please call 866-326-LFCS (5327).