Eckerd Adoption Specialist named Angel in Adoption | Community Spirit

Clearwater, Florida -- Adoption specialist for Eckerd Community Alternatives Connie Going was named a 2012 Angel in Adoption by Congressman Bill Young for her outstanding advocacy efforts and passionate work in the area of foster care adoptions.

Going, along with over 140 other Angels, was honored at an awards ceremony on Sept. 11 and at a gala event Sept. 12 in Washington, D.C.

One of Going's adoptive families, the Casper family, brought her to Congressman Young's attention calling her their "adoption angel" as they shared their journey of adopting a foster child with very special therapeutic needs who saw prior adoption attempts fail.

“She will always be his [Taylor’s] hero, and we think of her as our friend and now even a part of the family for what she’s done for us,” wrote Mrs. Casper in a letter to Congressman Young.  “She is changing the way adoptable foster children are cared for and how the system should work when a child needs a home.”

At her current position with Eckerd Community Alternatives, Going coordinates adoption recruitment efforts and provides much-needed support to adoptive parents. She has helped the community build its capacity for adoption competent services, created post-adoption support groups and coordinated the implementation of a five-year community plan for adoption promotion and support.  

Under her leadership, adoption finalization goals have consistently been exceeded to nearly 300 foster children who were adopted into loving homes last year in Pinellas and Pasco counties. Moreover, Going works tirelessly to ensure that the children placed with their forever family receive the help and assistance they need.