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The State of Texas has the largest number of foster children in the United States. Under normal operating conditions foster children are not permitted to interact with potential parents in an effort to see if a connection exists between the parents and children. This event will provide the Child Protective Services division a secure, private location and operational support to bring the children and the potential parents together in an attempt to initiate adoptions. Also, this project will, after funding and implementation, provide for the introduction of other Rotary clubs in District 5790 to work collectively on the project which will serve the Rotary Community by building fellowship and an Avenue for Service above Self. Further, the longevity potential of the project will be an additional benefit to the community, in that the foster care system continues to take in new children into their care as other children are adopted or age out of the foster care system without identifying families.
The intention is to work collaboratively with other Rotary clubs in Denton county as the event grows.
We will host a picnic for selected children and potential adoptive parents at a secured location, in accordance with the rules and regulations of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services: Child Protective Services Division. The Rotarians will solicit donations for a location, activities and all of the necessary aspects of the project. The Rotarians will prepare all of the food for the picnic and serve the food to the children and parents that are selected by Child Protective Services. Each Rotarian will complete a full background investigation application and provide it to Child Protective Services prior to the event. The Rotarians will assemble the gifts for the children and parents in attendance. The Rotarians will use community contacts to inform the community about the event and its intended benefit and provide them an opportunity to donate items for the potential parents and children. The Rotarians will be responsible for coordinating all of the activities under the direction of Child Protective Services.
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