© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

While 50,000 Kids Adopted In Fla. Can Be Considered Success, DCF Head Has Mixed View

iStockphoto

Over the past 15 years, about 50,000 Florida kids have been adopted so far. But, the head of the state’s child welfare system has mixed feelings on that number.

While 50,000 adoptions can be considered as a success, Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll has a mixed assessment.

“I’m an adoptive parent,” said Carroll, during a recent Florida Child Protection Summit. “It’s the greatest thing I ever did. It changed my life, changed my child’s life. So, it’s success for me. But, look at it on the flip side, 50,000 adoptions means there were 50,000 kids in the state whose parents could not provide them with a safe and nurturing environment to grow up in. And, is that a problem? And, the fact that we continue to set record after record for the number of adoptions? Is that success for is that a problem.”

Carroll says his hope for the future is: success for DCF will be defined as “eliminating the need for adoption.” Currently, 800 kids are still in need of adoption.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.