At this moment, there are around 120,000 children in the United States who are awaiting adoption.
In Washington state, there are more than 10,000 foster children and more than 700 other children waiting for adoption.
Next month, Lewis County will put a small dent in those numbers.
Lewis County, with support from Washington state, is set to host a National Adoption Day event on Nov. 21, according to a recent announcement.
Lewis County Superior Court and Lewis County Juvenile Court, with support from the Washington state Department of Children, Youth, and Families, are hosting next month's event in the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis.
The annual event is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by a reception at 2:15 p.m. on the first floor of the Law and Justice Center.
During the event, Lewis County Superior Court Judge Paul A. Strophy will finalize the adoption of one child currently in foster care.
Other court officials from both the superior and juvenile courts, as well as juvenile attorneys, advocates and community stakeholders, are all invited to the adoption proceedings.
According to the announcement, the need for more families to adopt children has increased greatly over the last 40 years as the number of children in foster care around the country has spiked.
“Since 1987, the number of children in foster care nationally has doubled, and the average time a child remains in foster care has lengthened to nearly three years,” the announcement reads. “Each year, nationally, approximately 20,000 foster children will age out of the system without ever being with a permanent family.”
National Adoption Day is an event celebrated nationwide and sponsored by national groups such as the Alliance for Children’s Rights, Casey Family Services, Children Action Network and more. More information on National Adoption Day is available at www.nationaladoptionday.org.
Those considering becoming a foster parent can contact Elaine Peet and the Division of Licensing Resources at 360-807-7107. Others interested in becoming a court-appointed special advocate for a child or filling other roles can contact the Lewis County Juvenile Court Appointed Guardian ad Litem Program coordinators at 360-740-2683 or 360-740-2688.
