SAN ANTONIO -- This year, more children in Texas were adopted by families than actually entered the system according to the Texas Department of Family Protective Services.
- Kids are leaving the system faster than they are entering
- The Hoover family recently adopted two girls
The new numbers show more than 20,000 children exited foster care while about 18,600 entered.
That means for the first time ever, kids are being adopted out of the foster care system faster than they are entering it.
"It feels great,” said Stephanie Hoover. “We've actually been parents to these sweet little girls for over two years now and it feels so good to finally make it official."
Hoover and her husband finally adopted Alyssa and Alannah right before Thanksgiving after being their foster parents for several years.
"It's been definitely the most challenging thing we've ever attempted but also the most rewarding," said Hoover.
"It feels good. I mean, that's why we got into foster care because we knew that there were so many kids in need,” said her husband, Lee Hoover.
“Every foster parent is going to go through an emotional challenge but it's all worth it, especially in the end, wherever that ends up being. Because you know that you provide a loving home to that child or children in our case,” he said.