Delaware families, stakeholders celebrate National Adoption Day

Delaware officials, families, friends and community partners joined together virtually Nov. 21, National Adoption Day, to recognize the resilience of families who have embarked on the journey of adoption in the past year.

The event provided an opportunity to raise the profile of adoption in Delaware and celebrate families despite the challenges of COVID-19.

“National Adoption Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate adoption and bring awareness to adoption through foster care. Foster care and adoption are a long journey, and this year has been especially challenging,” said Moira Dillon, Delaware Division of Family Services adoption program manager and co-chair of the Interagency Committee on Adoption. “Our children have already experienced so much loss in their young lives, but they are resilient. When a child has a family who unconditionally loves them and supports them, the healing begins. Every child deserves a family. Congratulations to all families who have adopted in this very challenging year!”

During the celebration, Delaware Family Court judges finalized adoptions for three families in front of loved ones, state officials, support networks and friends. Finalization ceremonies were performed by Judge Michael Arrington, Judge Peter B. Jones and Judge Kenneth M. Millman.

“Every child experiencing foster care has a different journey. Those journeys often include a lot of ups and downs. Therefore, we are grateful to have thoughtful, committed teams working with our kids. When a child cannot be reunified with their birth family, that work focuses on permanency,” said Meg Garey, executive director of A Better Chance for Our Children and co-chair of the Interagency Committee on Adoption. “Having judges who are truly invested in a child’s safety, well-being, and future can make all the difference.”

The event follows the announcement of Delaware’s participation in the All-In Foster Adoption Challenge, raising awareness of permanency efforts for children and youth in foster care. In Delaware, approximately 499 children either live away from their home or are experiencing foster care, and there are about 143 youth in care who have the goal of adoption.

“I think it is the definition of being on the right side of history to brighten the promise of a child’s future. Nowhere is that investment deeper or more meaningful than through adoption," said Delaware First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “During National Adoption Month this November and beyond, we are looking to encourage Delawareans to make a difference, whether by supporting a youth in foster care, becoming a foster parent or looking into adoption.”

“There is nothing more important to me, as a mom and a nurse, than helping connect children and parents, and creating families,” said Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long. “Together, we can raise awareness of adoption and foster care services here in Delaware. This holiday season and beyond, let’s do our part to give back, learn and support our youth so they can thrive.”

For more information about adoption in Delaware, call 302-633-2658 or email adoption.dscyf@delaware.gov. To learn about how to become a foster parent or how to give back to a foster child, call 302-633-2657 or email DSCYF_FosterCare@delaware.gov.