TAMPA, Fla., April 8, 2019 – In honor of National Siblings Day on April 10, Family First is celebrating the families of siblings who have been adopted and fostered together. Two-thirds of U.S. children in foster care have siblings in the system with them. And even as they eagerly await future adoptive and foster parents, they fear losing the family they’ve always known and the everyday lives they share with their sibling.

On National Siblings Day, Family First is raising awareness for sibling adoptions by sharing the impact of keeping siblings together and honoring adopted and fostered siblings and their families.

Adopting siblings together strengthens a family by adding the unbreakable bond of brothers and sisters. This experience has been witnessed directly by Mark and Susan Merrill, the founders of Family First, who adopted a brother and sister. The Merrills were able to join two existing families to create one, full home.

“When we began the adoption process, we already had three biological children and thought adopting a baby would the logical addition. We went from one baby to two older children – the same age as two of our biological kids. It was a process and I am thankful that we stayed open to it because God’s plan was way better than ours!” says Mark and Susan Merrill.

The mission of Family First is to help families love well. And one of the most incredible ways of loving well is keeping siblings together whenever possible. We recognize, understand and celebrate that siblings are confidantes, partners, supporters and lifelong friends. These relationships are unlike any other.

Individuals and organizations can help Family First love families well by advocating and raising awareness for foster care and adoption. Family First partners with The Department of Children and Families (Florida- DCF), The Department of Social Services (South Carolina- DSS), and the Department of Child Services (Indiana- DCS). To learn more, please visit FamilyFirst.net or Family First’s ministry All Pro Dad at AllProDad.com/OneMore.

About Family First

Family First provides parenting, marriage, and relational truth that helps people love their families well. Family First is a national nonprofit organization that reaches thousands of parents each day through its three primary programs: All Pro Dad, iMOM, and the Family Minute with Mark Merrill.

In partnership with the following agencies, All Pro Dad is using its platform to help find foster and adoptive parents for children in need.

About The Florida Department Of Children And Families (DCF)

The Florida Department of Children and Families works in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. For more information, please call 1-844-4FL-KIDS.

About The South Carolina Department Of Social Services (DSS)

The Department of Social Services‘ mission is to serve South Carolina by promoting the safety, permanency and well-being of children and vulnerable adults, helping individuals achieve stability and strengthening families. For more information, please call 1-888-282-3555.

About the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS)

The Indiana Department of Child Services engages with families and collaborates with state, local and community partners to protect children from abuse and neglect and to provide child support services.  For more information, please call 1-833-4IN-KIDS.