"The award is given with a specific focus on those who help adopted children maintain connections and who support and mentor other adoptive families," said Communities Connected for Kids Caregiver & Adoption Support Supervisor Jill Poole, who nominated the Bailey's for the award.

The Bailey's were Treasure Coast foster parents for almost 20 years, adopting their eight children during that time.

"They made lifetime connections with all their children's families, some of whom they are still in contact with," Poole said.

Even after they stopped fostering, the Bailey's still opened their home to care for a talented teenage football player who would later go on to join the NFL and the Miami Dolphins.

The Bailey household is a little quieter these days, with four of their children now grown and living successful, independent lives. But four teenagers at home, including 19-year-old twins, and Rose's job mentoring other foster and adoptive parents keep the Bailey's busy.

"Rose attends all St. Lucie County foster parent meetings, assists with appreciation events for our families and is always available for any other event, committee or activity we need her for," Poole said. "Rose and Brian have spent a lifetime dedicated to children and families in the child-welfare system, and they don't have any plans of slowing down soon."

The award was a surprise of colossal proportion, said Ms. Bailey, who thought she was there to witness her colleague, Jerra Wisecup, receive the award.

"I'm smiling at her, she's looking at me,'" Ms. Bailey said. "Then they call my name, and I'm thinking, 'Now, that can't be right'."

In fact, Ms. Wisecup, Ms. Poole and even Mr. Bailey were in on the surprise.

"I was floored, very surprised and deeply honored," Ms. Bailey said. "The award is sitting proudly on my mantel."

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