State Agencies Recognize November as National Adoption Month
Department of Children and Families (DCF) and New Jersey Courts to Finalize Over 100 Adoptions at Events Taking Place Throughout the Month and Across the State

TRENTON - The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Administrative Office of the Courts are celebrating National Adoption Month this November by co-hosting numerous events across the state to honor adoptive families and to finalize the adoptions of over 100 children in foster care throughout the month.

National Adoption Day is Saturday, November 19 and while adoptions occur all year, many of this month’s events, stretching from Cape May County to Passaic County, will be held on Friday, November 18, with at least 16 counties finalizing approximately 89 cases on the eve of National Adoption Day.

“Every child, youth and teenager, deserves a loving, safe and permanent home.  It’s especially gratifying to be able to be a part of the many events that take place throughout the month in celebration of the families who are created through adoption,” said DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer.  “Whether families are finalizing their adoption this month, or already did so earlier this year, it’s important to take a moment to celebrate their journey – understanding that it can be a complex and emotional one. We recognize our staff and partners in the courts for their involvement and tenacity, as well as the kinship or traditional foster families that provided a temporary, safe, and loving home, and may now be solidifying their relationship through adoption.”

“Adoption Day is one of the most joyous and rewarding days on the court calendar as we celebrate and honor those families who open up their homes to create a loving environment for children and, ultimately, a greater society for us all.” – Glenn A. Grant, administrative director of the courts.

The DCF’s primary focus is to keep families safely intact, empowering them with important supports and services necessary to thrive.  In the rare occasions in which this is not possible, the department’s goal is for children to live with extended family members or people familiar to the child, like a neighbor, family friend or teacher, in a licensed and supportive kinship resource home.  Almost half of this year’s adoption finalizations are with kin and began as a Kinship Care case.

“We know that the benefits of Kinship Care are many and varied.  Kinship Care helps to preserve a child’s familial, cultural, religious, educational and community ties,” said Laura Jamet, Interim Assistant Commissioner at DCF’s Division of Child Protection and Permanency, who sent a special video message to be shared at the Adoption Day finalizations and celebrations being held across the state.  “When Kinship Caregivers provide a loving and permanent home, children thrive socially and emotionally.”

In instances that Kinship Caregivers are not identified or unable to care for a child, the state’s robust network of resource families plays a significant role by temporarily nurturing and supporting kids in care, while a permanency goal is pursued, whether that includes family reunification or adoption. 

This year, it is anticipated that in total, approximately 409 adoptions will be finalized in New Jersey, with 365 adoptions having already taken place, as of September 30, 2022.

Since potential kinship and foster families go through the same resource family licensing protocols, the transition from fostering to adoption is typically a seamless process if parental rights are terminated.

Each court vicinage develops its own Adoption Day programming to recognize and honor the unification and finalization of families.  Events vary from drive-by-parades to Zoom parties, photo shoots, and outdoor events.  This year’s celebrations include adoption finalizations for kinship families, adolescents, and sibling groups, among others.

Reporters and media outlets interested in sharing adoptive families’ stories, please email the DCF Office of Communications at Communications@dcf.nj.gov for further information.

For more information on adoption, call 1-800-NJ ADOPT (992-3678) or visit the DCF adoption Web site at www.njadopt.org.