Saturday, November 21, 2020

National Adoption Day will be observed on Saturday, November 21, 2020. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may not be possible to hold the customary National Adoption Day events and in-court celebrations this year. To keep our communities safe, we ask that you continue to follow your state and local guidelines and health regulations on court proceedings and other gatherings during COVID-19.

If allowed in your jurisdiction and feasible, consider scheduling virtual adoption hearings.

Spread the word
Even though National Adoption Day may look different this year, we encourage you to join us in raising awareness and uplifting adoptions from foster care. You can show your support by posting photos from virtual adoptions or past events on social media as well as information about the urgent need for foster care adoption in the United States. Use the hashtag, #nationaladoptionday and tag @DTFA so that the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption can share your posts.

National Adoption Day is a collective effort to raise awareness of the more than 120,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the United States. A coalition of national partners — the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Alliance for Children’s Rights and Children’s Action Network — founded National Adoption Day.

On November 18, 2000, the coalition and the Freddie Mac Foundation encouraged nine cities to open their courts on or around the Saturday before Thanksgiving to finalize and celebrate adoptions from foster care.

The first National Adoption Day was inspired by the innovative efforts of Michael Nash, a former presiding judge of Los Angeles County’s Juvenile Court. He opened the court on Saturdays, engaged the volunteer efforts of court personnel and finalized adoptions to reduce the backlog of one of the busiest courts in the nation.