National Adoption Day Celebrated by JeffCo Courts

GOLDEN, CO -- Jefferson County will celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing the adoptions of 18 children into 16 families on Saturday, Nov. 18. Several Colorado judicial districts are taking part in National Adoption Day festivities in November. Across Colorado, the adoptions of 159 foster children into permanent families will be finalized.

Colorado is currently home to an additional 276 children waiting for permanent families, according to the Colorado Judicial Dept.

Since 2000, National Adoption Day has been celebrated on or near the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Nearly 65,000 children have been adopted on National Adoption Day in the past 17 years, a statement from the national organization said.

“National Adoption Day is a community event that celebrates the lives that are being changed for the better, of both children and families, who have found their forever family. Do not miss an opportunity to be a part of this event that will capture your heart,” said Mary Berg, Deputy Director of Jefferson Co. Department of Human Services.

This year, more than 5,000 adoptions are scheduled to be finalized at National Adoption Day events across our country. We hope you will join us to celebrate the local families who are celebrating this life-changing milestone. Events will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Jefferson County Courthouse, 100 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden. Events are created for family fun with family photos, face painting, music, therapy dog teams, crafts, and food.

Speakers will include adoption advocates, human services directors, judges and remarks from members of an adoptive family. The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners will issue a proclamation.

Scheduled speakers are:

• Child Law Center, Director of Development, Lauren Leeman
• Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, Justice Brian D. Boatright
• Jefferson County Human Services Executive Director
• Adoptive Family Members
• Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Proclamation
• District Court Judge, Ann Gail Meinster

Adoptions will take place in Courtrooms 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D with District Court Judges Ann Gail Meinster, Margie Enquist, Tamara Russell, and Magistrate Alabiso.

Learn more about Adoption and Foster Care

The Colorado Dept. of Human Services and non-profits such as COForKids.org share resources for families wanting to find out more about adopting foster children. Adults who are interested in adopting a foster child must first become certified as a foster parent. You must be at least 21 or older, pass a background check, complete training and receive a home study. Foster parents "must be able to use sound judgment like a prudent parent and demonstrate a responsible, stable and emotionally mature lifestyle," according to the Colorado Dept. of Human Services.

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