- Massachusetts Department of Children & Families
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) will celebrate the finalization of adoptions of more than 70 children on National Adoption Day. Celebrations are traditionally held in courthouses across Massachusetts, but this year, judges from the juvenile and probate court will preside over more than 60 adoptions on Zoom, following a virtual, webinar-style event featuring notable speakers, photo submissions from families and more on Friday, November 20, 2020 at 9 a.m.
The National Adoption Day Statewide Virtual Event focuses on the over 220 Massachusetts families who finalized adoptions since March. Due to the pandemic, families have been unable to attend court proceedings and adoptions are typically being finalized over Zoom or the paperwork is being completed without the family present. Additionally, families are unable to come together for the annual celebration of adoptions on National Adoption Day. This virtual event provides a way for families, social workers and the courts to celebrate these adoptions and to raise awareness among the general public about the importance of adoption from foster care. In Massachusetts:
- Approximately 8,400 children are in foster care.
- Approximately 3,310 children have a goal of adoption.
- Approximately 1,300 of children have no identified adoption resource such as a relative or foster parent.
“National Adoption Day is an event we look forward to each year as a culmination of so many people’s hard work and dedication,” said DCF Commissioner Linda S. Spears. “I am grateful to our DCF staff, the team at MARE and the juvenile and probate courts judges for their efforts to make sure these children know they will be spending the upcoming holidays with their permanent families.”
Visit www.mareinc.org to learn more about MARE.
