TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Thousands of children in foster care will be going home for the holidays this month.
The Department of Children and Families helped speed up paperwork to reunite foster kids with their families, finalized adoptions and lengthened visits so children may spend time their family on that special day.
Child welfare officials said about 1,200 children will visit relatives in Florida and out of state this month. Another 1,200 kids will be placed in their permanent home.
The agency collaborates with judges, guardians, foster families and case managers to expedite rigorous background screenings, court orders and travel arrangements.
The community based care agencies, which run foster care for the state, frequently pick up the cost of the children's travel.
