150 Foster Children Become Family On National Adoption Day In LA

LOS ANGELES, CA —There is no happier day in a courtroom than during an adoption ceremony. In 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, National Adoption Day is going virtual for 150 local foster children who have found "forever homes."

A total of 92 families will participate, and more than 60% of the adoptions being finalized are for siblings, officials say. Families will be kept together in a beautiful new chapter of their lives.

This is the 21st year that the Alliance for Children's Rights Public Counsel, the Los Angeles Children's Court, and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services join together to en masse celebrate foster adoptions. The event begins at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, with adoption finalization hearings conducted virtually until noon.

The Department of Children and Family Services Director Bobby Cagle spoke at the event, describing what it means for these children to become part of a stable family unit, at last.
"These children will have a stable and loving family to call their own for the rest of their lives," Cagle said. "Today, foster parents will legally become parents, reminding their child that they deserve to be loved, protected, and most importantly, that they are not alone. With this foundation, their futures are immeasurably brighter."

DCFS is committed to maintaining family connections by keeping siblings together whenever possible and placing children with relatives.

In 2019, over half of DCFS' finalized adoptions were relative adoptions. That year, 1,855 children in foster care in Los Angeles County were adopted through DCFS.

Still, many more foster and adoptive families are needed.

In Los Angeles, over 300 children are still waiting for an adoptive family, say Los Angeles County child welfare authorities.

Families have typically gathered in the Edmund D. Edelman Children's Courthouse for adoption hearings. Still, this year's proceedings will be held virtually, connecting judicial officers in courtrooms to families at home.

"The court is pleased to continue our support for National Adoption Day during the pandemic," Juvenile Division Presiding Judge Victor Greenberg said. "To ensure social distancing and public health, we are unfortunately unable to celebrate together in person at the Edelman Courthouse this year. However, this event's essential aspect is the formation of new families for children and their adoptive parents.

"While we may not be able to enjoy National Adoption Day in our usual environment, we are together in this moment and remain dedicated to pursuing permanence for every child we have the privilege to serve."

DCFS is one of the largest public adoption agencies in the country. Speakers for our Opening Program will include Los Angeles Juvenile Court Presiding Judge Victor Greenberg, DCFS Director Bobby Cagel, Alliance for Children’s Rights CEO Jennifer Braun, Public Counsel CEO Margaret Morrow, and more.

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.