Today is the 10th Anniversary of National Adoption Day!
From the National Adoption Day website: “National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the 129,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. This one day has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners and advocates to finalize adoptions and find permanent, loving homes for children in foster care. In total, more than 25,000 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day.“
Since 2000, more than 25,000 children have had their adoptions finalized on National Adoption Day. After today, the number will increase to 30,000! What a wonderful thing!
Events are scheduled coast to coast. If you are interested in adoption, check here to see what is going on in your area. Here’s what’s on tap for the greater Sacramento area:
Sacramento — Region Foster Care & Adoption Resource Fair
Come learn from both families and experts about the challenges and joys of being a foster or adoptive family. Connect with local agencies about resources and options that are available to you. Co-sponsored by Assemblyman Roger Niello and Senator George Runner for the Community Renewal Summit.
Location: Sunrise Community Church, 8321 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA 95826
Registration: 10:30am
Event: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: FREE (rsvp requested)
Casual lunch provided. Child care available.
Please register for the event: www.communityrenewal.net
Download the event flyer here in PDF format.
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Sacramento — Calling Out Ceremony and Candlelight Vigil at the State Capitol
As part of a nationwide effort to raise adoption awareness, Sierra Forever Families, Aspiranet Foster and Family Services, EMQ FamiliesFirst along with support of the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services – Adoptions Bureau, the National Adoption Day Steering Committee and Sutter Health – Sacramento Sierra Region will host the 6th Annual National Adoption Awareness Day at the State Capitol – North Steps.
During the event, government officials, esteemed members of the Sacramento community, adoptive parents and former foster children will participate in a Calling Out – a verbal recognition of the nearly 4,000 local foster children who wait for a permanent loving family. Organizations focused on children services, foster and adoption services will host informational booths, and fun-filled family activities will take place throughout the event.
This meaningful event will conclude with a candlelight vigil to honor adoption and to recognize the nearly 4,000 children and youth living in foster care in the Sacramento Region.
Location: State Capitol – north steps (L Street)
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm (Candlelight Vigil at 5:00pm)
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Auburn — Celebration of Adoption Day in Placer County
Placer Kids, a partnership between Sierra Forever Families, Placer County and many local sponsors have planned a morning of memories for the newly adopted children and their families and they earnestly invite our community to participate in this happy, fun and free event. The festivities include the opportunity to take a picture with Sacramento River Cat’s mascot Dinger. There will be music, coffee and breakfast provided by Starbucks, cookies, crafts and more.
Location: Historic Court House – 101 Maple Street in Auburn.
Time 9:00am – 11am
Click here to download the event flyer.
I occasionally assist clients in my office with adoptions, most frequently in the context of stepparent adoptions. In this type of adoption, often the child has not had contact and/or financial support from the biological parent for a significant amount of time, often for many months or even years. As a result, in California the Court considers this legal abandonment and the door opens for a stepparent to adopt the child even if the absent biological parent does not consent. As in a custody or guardianship case, the guiding light for the Court is the “best interests of the child” standard. The time frame for this type of adoption is usually between four months to a year depending in large part on how long the social services investigation takes, whether or not the absent parent consents and how busy the court calendar is.
For more information about stepparent adoption or to schedule a consultation please contact me. Have a great weekend!
— Michael