The Washoe County Human Services Agency is recognizing November as National Adoption Awareness Month with a new outreach effort called 'Open Your Door. Open Their Future.'
The campaign features public service announcements, billboards, bus wraps, and a new website encouraging residents to help children in care by fostering, adopting, or mentoring.
The agency says more than 600 children are currently in foster care in Washoe County, 65 of whom are ages one to 17, are free for adoption, and need a permanent home. Since 2021, 474 adoptions have been finalized.
“Studies show that when a child has a role model during their developmental years, they have a much better chance of becoming a productive member of society. The message we want to send throughout this campaign is that each of us can make a difference and change the trajectory of a child’s life for the better. HSA thanks the hundreds of people who have taken their time to foster, adopt, or mentor a child in care, but we need many more people willing to invest in our next generation,” said HSA Director Ryan Gustafson.
Community members are invited to join what the agency calls the “FAM” by fostering, adopting, or mentoring through programs like Foster Connect and Wishing Well.
Residents can visit the new website, watch the campaign video, call 775-337-4470, or email BeTheFam@washoecounty.gov to learn how to get involved.
