State teams up with Dungy to encourage adoption

TAMPA (FOX 13) - The Department of Children and Families has teamed up with pro football hall of famer Tony Dungy to persuade families to foster or adopt.

Dungy is a known adoption advocate who has adopted seven of his 10 children and is a spokesman for the organization All Pro Dad.

According to DCF, the state has more than 25,000 children in its care who need permanent homes. More than 2500 are in group homes.

Dungy will also be featured in several public service announcements DCF will use to advocate for fostering and adoption.

"You can make a difference and that's the big thing we want to get across to people. You can make such a big difference in a young person's life," said Dungy.

One family answering the call the help with the crisis of children in state care are the Adams' of Tampa. Jennifer Adams and her husband have adopted three girls that they fostered since they were babies.

"I guess this was God's will for me to take this route because I couldn't imagine loving any of my kids that I have differently if I had my own biological," Adams said.

Tuesday, the family legally finalized the adoption of their third daughter.

Anyone interested in getting information about adopting in Florida can find resources at AdoptFlorida.org.