Adoption Awareness Month kicked off today at the state capitol . There are 500 children in Arkansas in need of a loving home, and 130,000 children nationwide available for adoption.

Governor Mike Beebe, adoptive families and children, staff of the Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services, advocates and judges gathered to "Honor the committment these families have made to their care, and remind Arkansans that there are hundreds more children still waiting to find safe and loving homes," Governor Beebe said.

Attendants applauded the efforts of adoptive parents like Lewis and Valerie Rowe, who adopted four children, all at once, creating something warmer than the smile of a child, the smile of a child who smiles in a family.

"They are so loving they just want love they just want love they love you in return," Rowe said.

Elizabeth Robison also gave her testimony as a 16-year-old who's adoption was finalized Monday, November 2. She now joins a loving family with a house-full of new brothers and sisters.

"Counting me and my little sister, its' ten kids." Robison said. She also advised potential adopters to not forget teenagers. "Teenagers want loving families just like babies and little kids," she said.

In 2009, DHS was awarded more than $800,000 for its success in placing children from foster care to adoptive homes. The agency plans to use much of that funding to invest in outreach efforts to strengthen support for families trying to adopt.

"We are grateful for the federal government's recognition of our efforts," said Cecile Blucker, Director of DHS' Division of Children and Family Services. "With this funding, we can better leverage our investment in the recruitment and retention of qualified families."

"Finding a safe and nurturing environment is always a top priority when childrent can't be reunited with their biological families, but when that is no longer an option, we can also utilize a data-matching system to try to identify the best match for the child," added Blucker.

For more information about the adoption process, or to make contact with a DHS Adoption Specialist, visit www.adoptarkansas.org.