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Dec/Jan 2009Vol. 9, No. 10Adoption Campaign Reinforces "You Don't Have to Be Perfect"

The Ad Council, in partnership with the Children's Bureau and AdoptUsKids, recently launched its newest series of public service announcements (PSAs) designed to promote the adoption of teens from foster care. The ads are the latest in a continuing series of PSAs produced by the partnership. The light-hearted ads carry a serious message: "You don't have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. There are thousands of teens in foster care who would love to put up with you."

The radio, television, and print ads draw on easily recognizable teenage experiences to make their point. Print ads show a series of greeting cards with humorous messages from a teen to a parent; for instance, a card with a photo of a soccer ball is accompanied by the message, "Mom, you're the best, even though you sometimes cheer for the wrong team."

The PSAs will help to raise public awareness about the 496,000 children in foster care, especially the 130,000 awaiting adoption, many of whom are teens. Often, prospective parents are reluctant to consider adopting a teenager, so these ads are designed to open prospective families' minds and hearts to that possibility.

To read the Ad Council press release and preview the ads, visit the Ad Council website:

www.prnewswire.com/mnr/adcouncil/35825/