Mike Jennings
502-564-6180

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2003)--Governor Paul Patton told adoptive parents last night that they give all Kentuckians cause for pride.

Speaking at a reception honoring families that have adopted children from state foster care, Patton said that adoptive families know that forging a "forever family" through adoption is never easy.

"But they also know there is nothing in life that is more worthwhile," he said.

"We are truly grateful for citizens like you who are dedicated to opening their hearts and homes as adoptive parents and making Kentucky a better place for children."

Adoptive families from throughout Kentucky received "Forever Families" appreciation awards at the event, held at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort for adoptive families, adoption workers and others involved in supporting adoptions. Cabinet for Families and Children Secretary Viola Miller received a "Champion for Permanency" award in recognition of her commitment and support of permanency through adoption.

The Cabinet established the "Forever Families" awards this year to recognize adoptive parents in each of CFC’s 16 service regions. Recipients typically have made multiple adoptions or adopted older children, sibling groups or children with special needs.

With more than 1,100 children in Kentucky awaiting adoption, there’s a need for many more "Forever Families" like those honored Thursday, Miller said.

"Parenting children who have experienced the trauma of separation and loss is unique and offers challenges and tremendous rewards," she said. "Kentucky celebrates the joy of adoption and the commitment of families willing to make a difference in a child’s life."

The recipients, by service region, of the 2003 "Forever Families" Appreciation Awards are:

Barren River - Jennifer Baker (Logan County)

Big Sandy- Nelva and Claude Skaggs (Johnson County)

Bluegrass Fayette- Ken and Lora Ridge (Fayette County)

Bluegrass Rural- Edwin and Victoria Herring (Madison County)

Cumberland Valley- Johnnie and Geraldine Hansford (Whitley County)

FIVCO- Nancy and George Brown (Boyd County)

Gateway/Buffalo Trace- David and Regina Caldwell (Bath County)

Green River- Tom and Louise Osmon (Henderson County)

KIPDA Jefferson- Shirley and Jim Davis (Jefferson County)

KIPDA Rural- Daroyl and Susan Samples (Bullitt County)

Kentucky River- Deborah and Vellis Hensley (Perry County)

Lake Cumberland- Joseph and Rebecca Phillips (McCreary County)

Lincoln Trail- Sharon and Joseph Beard (Hardin County)

Northern Kentucky- Dave and Sharon Forton (Kenton County)

Pennyrile- Kirk and Freda Conrad (Hopkins County)

Purchase- Howard and Willa Suggs (McCracken County)