TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — More than 1,600 of Florida's foster children are going home to visit loved ones or have been adopted in time for the holidays.
The Department of Children and Families says it worked with local agencies and judges around the state to reunite 1,347 children with their siblings, parents or extended family.
Another 266 children will spend their first holiday with their new family through adoption.
The "Home for the Holidays" initiative also helped more than 1,400 children over Thanksgiving.
The initiative gets children into homes faster by finalizing adoptions with new parents, requesting amended visitation and often requires expedited background screenings, court orders and travel arrangements.
