Adoption Day celebrated by Mich. courts

In addition to observing Thanksgiving this week, many Michigan families will also be "Giving thanks for families" by celebrating the addition of new family members on Michigan's Tenth Annual Adoption Day. Thirty-three Michigan counties are holding Adoption Day events on or about Nov. 20, the date the Michigan Supreme Court has designated as "Michigan Adoption Day" by resolution of the court. The event is co-sponsored by the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Department of Human Services, and the Child Welfare Services division of the State Court Administrative Office. The Oakland County Circuit Court Family Division will conduct its 10th Annual Celebration of Michigan Adoption Day beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, in the Commissioners Auditorium at the Oakland County Courthouse in Pontiac. During the celebration adoptions will be finalized and awards will be presented with a reception following. Also on Nov. 20, Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr. will join judges Michael Anderegg from Marquette and Faye Harrison from Saginaw in finalizing adoptions in the Supreme Court courtroom in the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Young said that Michigan Adoption Day provides a valuable window into the adoption process. "Adoption finalization hearings are usually private," the chief justice explained. "But on Adoption Day, the participating families and courts open these hearings to the public, allowing others to witness the final stage of the adoption process. We hope the experience may inspire others to consider adoption and will call attention to the needs of the young people who remain in foster care." "All children deserve a safe, loving and stable home," former justice and current DHS Director Maura D. Corrigan said. "Our department has undertaken significant reforms to make sure we're doing our part to make that happen. Because of our efforts and those of our partners, more children are leaving Michigan's foster care system for permanent homes." There are approximately 3,000 children in Michigan's foster care system with the goal of adoption; there were 2,538 completed adoptions in fiscal year 2012. In addition to court events, the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) will have a photographic exhibit of Michigan children waiting to be adopted on display at the Michigan Hall of Justice. Anyone interested in adopting a child may contact MARE at P.O. Box 980789, Ypsilanti,48197. MARE can also be reached Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-589-6273 (in Michigan), Fax 734-528-1695 or visit the website at http://www.mare.org/. For more information about Michigan Adoption Day, see http://www.courts.mi.gov/Courts/MichiganSupremeCourt/PublicInfoOffice/PublicOutreach/Pages/Michigan-Adoption-Day.aspx. Published: Mon, Nov 19, 2012

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