National Adoption Day

On National Adoption Day, a number of courts and communities in the United States come together to finalize thousands of adoptions of children from foster care. More than 300 events are held each year on the 3rd Saturday in November, in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to finalize the adoptions of children in foster care. In total, more than 25,000 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day.^[1]

History

National Adoption Day was started in 2000 by the Alliance for Children's Rights through the generous support of the Freddie Mac Foundation, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and others.^[2][3]

In November 2000, National Adoption Day sponsors worked with law firms, state foster care agencies, child advocates, and courts to complete hundreds of foster care adoptions in nine jurisdictions nationwide. In November 2001, 17 jurisdictions participated in National Adoption Day. In 2002, Casey Family Services, Children's Action Network, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and Target became National Adoption Day partners, helping 34 cities across the country finalize 1,350 adoptions and celebrate adoption.

By 2003, courts and community organizations in more than 120 jurisdictions coast-to-coast finalized the adoptions of 3,100 children and celebrated adoption. In 2004, courts and community organizations finalized the adoptions of more than 3,400 children from foster care in 200 events in 37 states.

By the end of the 2000s, National Adoption Day is celebrated across the U.S., the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as more than 300 events are held each throughout the country to finalize the adoptions of children in foster care, and to celebrate all families who adopt. In total, more than 25,000 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day. Traditionally, National Adoption Day is celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving.^[4]

Partners

National Adoption Day is supported by a coalition of non-profit partners:

• The Alliance for Children’s Rights,
• Casey Family Services
• Children’s Action Network
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
• Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
• Freddie Mac Foundation.
• National Adoption Awareness Month
• Lifetime Adoption Foundation

References

1. ^ http://adoption.about.com/od/celebrationinspiration/a/adoptionday.htm
2. ^ http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20081115/NEWS05/311159971/FAMILIES+BROUGHT+TOGETHER
3. ^ http://www.kids-alliance.org/programs/foster_children_adoption.asp
4. ^ http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/2008/index.asp

External links

• Tips for Observing Adoption Awareness Month