On Saturday, November 17th, 148 families will celebrate the adoptions of 202 children at the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court in Monterey Park.
On National Adoption Day, more than 450 courts in all 50 states open their doors to finalize adoptions of children in foster care. Since 2000, nearly 65,000 Los Angeles County foster children have been adopted by loving parents. National Adoption Day is an important opportunity for local courts, child welfare agencies and communities to raise public awareness about the need for adoptive families, and to celebrate all families that adopt nationwide.
DCFS is the largest public adoption agency in the country, and is committed to keeping siblings together whenever possible. Of the day’s adoptions, 45% include sibling groups including 37 groups of two or more siblings. The theme of this year’s National Adoption Month is “In Their Own Words: Lifting Up Youth Voices.” About one in five of the children being adopted today are ages 10 and older. Today, there are 342 children in need of a safe, permanent and loving home. Last year, 1,569 adoptions were finalized—we expect to surpass this year.
The Los Angeles “Adoption Day” program is a collaborative effort of the Los Angeles Juvenile Court, DCFS, Alliance for Children’s Rights, and Public Counsel.
DCFS Post Adoption Services social workers are available to assist families with adoption-related needs that may arise after the adoption finalizes. To become a foster or adoptive parent, please call 1-888-811-1121 or visit our Caregivers Section.
Following the press conference, media will be allowed into selected courtrooms to witness and film selected adoptions. Media will be able to film and interview selected children and adoptive parents as well (Spanish speaking families will be available).
Saturday, November 17, 2018
7:30 am Doors open
8:00 am Press Conference, 4th floor of courthouse
9am – 1pm Adoption proceedings
Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court 4th Floor
201 Centre Plaza Drive
Monterey Park, CA 91754
