very child deserves a loving home and a "forever family," but too many children wait for months or years for someone to open their heart and home to them. Under Governor Chiles' leadership, Florida took aggressive steps to promote adoption by establishing an Internet home page —www.state.fl.us/cf_web/adopt/ — that features the pictures and stories of children awaiting adoption, and operating the 1-800-96ADOPT toll-free adoption hotline.

Adoption was an issue close to the Governor's heart, and in 1997 he was instrumental in launching the "Get a Life" adoption awareness campaign with the 4th District American Advertising Federation Florida-Caribbean. The issue became a family affair, and Governor Chiles' daughter, Rhea, who is adopted, promoted adoption during an 11-city tour from Pensacola to Miami in 1998.

Governor Chiles also worked to increase financial support for families who adopt foster children. Foster parents received an increase in their monthly allowances to cover the expense of raising a foser child.

With these efforts, Florida has seen a 61 percent increase in the number of foster children moving into permanent homes with the adoption of more than 10,357 children between 1990 and 1998.

The Chiles/MacKay administration pushed for scholarships to open the doors to state universities for former foster children to serve as an additional incentive for those considering adoption.