FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: November 18, 2006
CONTACT:Anthony Coley
Brendan Gilfillan
PHONE: 609-777-2600

Governor Corzine, Commissioner Ryan Celebrate New Adoptive Families

NEWARK – Governor Jon S. Corzine joined with Children and Families Commissioner Kevin M. Ryan and local officials today to celebrate the finalization of more than 130 adoptions at Essex County Superior Court in honor of National Adoption Day.

“This is a special day not just for the state and our foster care system, but for the men and women who have brought these extraordinary children into their families,” said Governor Corzine, who met families during a reception at the Rutgers University School of Law. “The sense of stability, security and consistent love that comes from a family is critical to a child’s healthy development and something that no one should have to go without.”

Commissioner Ryan said today’s adoptions, along with the nearly 1,000 adoptions finalized between January and October, will contribute to the Department of Children and Families meeting its target of 1,100 adoptions for this calendar year.

“Today’s event is an enormous reminder that we must continue working tirelessly to find our children families that will last,” Commissioner Ryan said. “There are hundreds of children in New Jersey in need of loving homes, and we are committed to finding permanency for our adoptive children.”

National Adoption Day was initiated in 2000 by the Alliance for Children’s Rights, with support from organizations including the Freddie Mac Foundation and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Last year, adoptions for more than 3,100 children in foster care were finalized during Adoption Day events in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

In New Jersey, the National Adoption Day event is a joint venture by the DCF Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), the Superior Court, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Rutgers University School of Law in Newark. The new families all received portraits, gift bags and gift certificates from DYFS and CASA.

DYFS is the largest adoption agency in New Jersey, placing more than 1,000 children in adoptive homes each year. For more information on adoption, call 1-800-NJ ADOPT (992-3678) or visit the DYFS adoption Web site at www.njadopt.org.