Ottawa Co 20th Circuit Court to Celebrate Adoption Day

November 18, 2015

Media Contact: Kevin Bowling, 616-786-4100

Suggested Tweet: Celebrate #AdoptionDay on Nov 24 | @miOttawa is #thankful for families

Please join us for this annual celebration!

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Ottawa County 20th Circuit Court to Celebrate Adoption Day

The 20th Circuit Court, Family Division will give thanks for families and join many courts around the state in celebrating Adoption Day. Held on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving of each year, Adoption Day has become holiday tradition, highlighting the importance of adoption and the needs of children in foster care.

Ottawa County will hold its Adoption Day event at the 20th Circuit Court, Family Division located at 12120 Fillmore Street, West Olive, MI 49460. Ceremonies on November 24 begin at 9AM followed by confirmation hearings with Judges Mark Feyen and Kent Engle presiding.

Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. said Michigan Adoption Day is aimed at raising awareness and encouraging potential adoptive and foster parents to step forward. Young noted that, while adoption finalization hearings are usually private, many participating courts will open their hearings to the public. “Adoption Day gives the public a window into the adoption process,” Young said. “This is a celebration of adoption, but our purpose is to educate the public about the rewards of being an adoptive parent. Every child deserves a loving, forever home.”

Michigan Adoption Fast Facts:

• As of September 30, there are about 13,000 children in Michigan’s foster care system.
• There are about 2,400 children whose parents’ rights have been terminated and have a goal of adoption.
• More than 1,700 children were adopted in Michigan in FY2015 through the Department of Health Human Services or private adoption agencies. On average, 51 percent of children were adopted by their foster parents, 40 percent of children were adopted by relatives, and 9 percent of children were adopted by a recruited family.
• Approximately 90 percent of children who are available for adoption qualify for assistance to help families with some of the costs of bringing children into their homes.
• Post adoption services are available statewide through eight Post Adoption Resource Centers and offer the following services: case management, including short-term and emergency in-home intervention; coordination of community services; information dissemination; education; training; advocacy; family recreation activities and support.