NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY 2006

On National Adoption Day 2006-- Saturday, November 18-- an unprecedented number of courts and communities across the nation will come together to finalize thousands of adoptions of children from foster care and to celebrate all families who adopt. The Day brings together hundreds of judges, attorneys, adoption agencies, adoption professionals, and child advocates who are dedicated to creating forever families for waiting children.

• Finalize adoptions from foster care in all 50 states
   
• Celebrate and honor all families who adopt
   
• Raise awareness about the 114,000 children in foster care waiting for adoption
   
• Encourage others to adopt children from foster care
   
• Build collaboration among local adoption agencies, courts, and advocacy organizations
   
• Communicate availability and need for post-adoptive services

National Adoption Day Events Involving Casey Family Services’ Divisions

Casey Family Services’ Maine Division, in our Portland office, is planning celebration activities for the adoptive families it serves on November 18. This will include opportunities for adoptive parents to relax and connect with other adoptive parents as well as fun activities for their children. To learn more, contact Florence Young, a social worker, at fyoung@caseyfamilyservices.org.

On November 13, the New Hampshire Division is collaborated with the state’s Division for Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to host an event at the Governor's Executive Council Chambers at the State House to celebrate adoptive families. There were goodie bags available for the children in attendance.

History of National Adoption Day

National Adoption Day 2006 builds on incredible efforts over the last seven years by the Alliance for Children’s Rights through the generous support of the Freddie Mac Foundation, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and others. In November 2000, National Adoption Day sponsors worked with law firms, foster care departments, child advocates, and courts to complete hundreds of foster care adoptions in nine jurisdictions nationwide. In November 2001, 17 jurisdictions participated, in November 2002, 34 jurisdictions joined the effort, and in 2003, more than 120 jurisdictions celebrated National Adoption Day. Most recently, a record 3,400 adoptions took place as part of celebrations in more than 200 communities nationwide.

National Adoption Day Sponsors

A coalition of national 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, and Jockey International —sponsor National Adoption Day to draw special attention to foster children waiting for permanent families and to celebrate all loving families that adopt.

www.nationaladoptionday.org