Kentuckians are being asked to help raise awareness of the
need for more adoptive families by reserving a new specialized vehicle license
plate.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS)
is promoting the sale of the adoption awareness license plates. The license
plates were designed by CHFS staff and For Jamie’s Sake, a nonprofit adoption
advocacy group based in Ashland. At least 900 commitments are needed by Feb. 1,
2009, to start production.
The plate features the CHFS Special Needs Adoption Program
(SNAP) logo and the phrase “Be a forever family – adopt.”
“We have a constant need for more adoptive families, and
these license plates will encourage conversation throughout the state about the
issues surrounding adoption,” said Patricia R. Wilson, commissioner of the
Department for Community Based Services, the state’s child welfare agency.
“They will also raise money for our nonprofit partners who help us recruit and
train prospective parents.”
Cost of a specialized adoption plate is $28 – to be paid at
the time of application -- plus the standard $15 renewal fee. At initial
registration, a $10 voluntary donation will be automatically added to this cost
unless the applicant opts out.
These donations will go to For Jamie’s Sake, a nonprofit adoption
advocacy group that works to raise awareness of the state’s need for adoptive
families. The organization’s long-term goal is to find a permanent home for
every Kentucky child awaiting adoption.
More than 500 children in the state foster care system are
waiting for adoptive homes.
Completed applications and checks should be mailed to: For
Jamie’s Sake, Attn: Pat Ross, 1544 Winchester Ave., Suite 808, Ashland, KY
41101.
The organization will send a collective check for the
reserved plates to the Transportation Cabinet. Money will be refunded if 900
plates are not reserved.
Download an application for the plate at http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dpp/adoptionlicenseplate.htm
For more information about foster care and adoption, call
SNAP at (800) 928-4303. Log on to the SNAP home page at http://chfs.ky.gov/snap.
