November is National Adoption Month

November 15, 2008, will mark the 9th year for National Adoption Day. Through the help of adoption professionals, child advocates, judges, and attorneys, thousands of children in foster care will finalize adoption and become part of a permanent home and family.

"Traditionally, National Adoption Day is celebrated the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Out of respect for the nation's remembrance of the 45th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, the National Adoption Day Coalition elected to move the celebration of National Adoption Day this year only to the Saturday prior." ~ statement from National Adoption Day Web site.

The History of National Adoption Day
· 2000 - National Adoption Day began with the Alliance for Children's Rights and support from the Freddie Mac Foundation, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and others. Hundreds of adoptions were finalized in 9 jurisdictions.
· 2001 - The number of jurisdictions increased to 17.
· 2002 - Assistance from Casey Family Services, Children's Action Network, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and Target. This support brought 34 jurisdictions to National Adoption Day and 1,350 adoptions were finalized.
· 2003 - 3,100 adoptions were finalized and 120 jurisdictions participated in the event.
· 2004 - 3,400 adoptions finalized at 200 events in 37 states.
· 2005 - The largest number of coast-to-coast celebrations for National Adoption Day! More than 3,300 children's adoptions were finalized from foster care in 227 events in 45 states and the District of Columbia.
· 2006 - The largest of number of coast-to-coast celebrations with more than 250 events in all fifty states including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico! More than 3,300 adoption were finalized.
· 2007 - More than 300 events were held in all fifty states including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.In total more than 20,00 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day.
Goals of National Adoption Day 2008· Finalize adoptions from foster care in all 50 states· Celebrate and honor all families that adopt· Raise awareness about the 129,000 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