Since 1990, the nation officially has proclaimed November as National Adoption Month. National Adoption Month is celebrated every November throughout the United States by government agencies, courts, child advocacy organizations and families across the nation. Its purpose is to provide national awareness, celebrate children and families, and call the nation to action to find families for children waiting in foster care.
This year's National Adoption Month theme is "In Their Own Words: Lifting Up Youth Voices." It is well known that teenagers are less likely to be adopted, often because of their age, and are much more likely to age out of foster care without strong or stable family support. Securing lifelong connections for teens in foster care, both legally and emotionally, is a critical component in determining their future achievement, health, and well-being.
Each year, more than 250,000 children in the U.S. enter foster care, and there are currently approximately 400,000 children in care. Of these children in U.S. foster care, 102,000 are waiting right now for an adoptive family.
The most recent data indicated that in N.C. 1,500 children were adopted in 2016 and 2,937 children are waiting to be adopted. In Richmond County, three children were adopted last year and this year four children have been adopted. Currently the Richmond County Department of Social Services has one child that is free for adoption. Approximately 80 percent of children in North Carolina are adopted by foster parents.
In N.C. approximately 11 percent of the children waiting for adoption are ages 15-17. Richmond County does not have any teenagers in foster care that are free for adoption.
On Nov. 15, Richmond County will join the nation to recognize National Adoption Awareness Day. The agency will be hosting a drawing for prizes which will include a Super Bowl Champions Philadelphia Eagles Jersey signed and donated by Dannell Ellerbe, a $100 Walmart gift card and a $50 gas card to raise money for the Richmond County Foster Care Fund. Tickets will be $5 and are available at Richmond County DSS. Contact Lakwanza Brown at 910-997-8449 or Lirosia Wall at 910-997-8397.
If there are any questions about adoption or about becoming a foster parent, contact 910-997-8400.
