November is National Adoption Month, a month set aside each year to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. The 2011 theme for National Adoption Month is Build Capacity to Make Lasting Change.
The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in foster care occurred in Massachusetts in 1976, when Governor Michael Dukakis announced an Adoption Week. The idea grew in popularity and spread nationwide. In 1984, President Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, and in 1995, under President Clinton, the week was expanded to the entire month of November.
Every November, a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation. Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs, events, and activities to share positive adoption stories, challenge the myths, and draw attention to the thousands of children in foster care who are waiting for permanent families.
To learn more about adoption click on the following links:
- For the state of Georgia - click HERE
- For the state of South Carolina - click HERE
- For the state of North Carolina - click HERE
