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November 2005Vol. 6, No. 9HHS Presents Adoption Excellence Awards

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) honored 21 individuals and groups with 2005 Adoption Excellence Awards in recognition of outstanding work in placing children from foster care into permanent homes. The awards were presented on November 1, 2005, at a ceremony for the opening of "The National Heart Gallery" at Union Station in Washington, DC, where portraits of children awaiting adoption are on display.

The awards have been given annually since 1997 to honor States, local agencies, private organizations, courts, businesses, individuals, and families for their work in increasing adoptions from foster care. The award winners were chosen by a committee representing nonprofit adoption agencies, child welfare and adoption advocates, adoptive parents, foundations, businesses, and State and Federal offices. These awards affirm the Department's national commitment to rebuild the lives of the nearly 523,000 children in foster care and achieve permanency for the 119,000 of those who are waiting for adoption.

For a complete list of the 2005 award recipients, please visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/current_initiatives/aeawards05.htm

To view the press release from the Administration for Children and Families, see http://archive.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2005/Adoption_Awards_2005.htm.