Reminder: Ottawa Celebrates Adoption Day Tomorrow 11/24

Ottawa County, Michigan sent this bulletin at 11/23/2020 07:25 AM EST
Courts Press Release

November 23, 2020

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A Home For the Holidays:
Ottawa County Celebrates Adoption Day

20th Circuit Court, Ottawa County, to host virtual Adoption Day celebration on November 24

For many residents, 2020 has been a very tough year. It seems like the challenges keep coming and it is difficult to focus on the positive. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, many families are struggling to find a way to celebrate and identify things for which they are thankful. Several West Michigan families, however, will have the opportunity to find a bright spot in an otherwise complicated year.

On November 24, the 20th Circuit Court will host its an annual Adoption Day celebration. The event honors families who choose to adopt and hopes to inspire other families to open their hearts to children without a home.

For the first time, Ottawa County will finalize adoptions in a virtual ceremony, giving these children their forever families. Mark your calendar: The ceremony will begin at 9:00am followed by confirmation hearings with Chief Probate Court Judge, Mark A. Feyen and 20th Circuit Court, Family Division Judge, Kent D. Engle.  All events will be streamed via YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyvrt5sSbZrcujzxaO-ifJQ.

Local and state adoption facts:

  • In fiscal year 2019, more than 2,000 Michigan children were adopted through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or private agencies.
  • At any given time, there are more than 13,100 children in Michigan’s foster care system and of those, nearly 300 lack an identified adoptive family. 
  • People can adopt whether they are single or married. They do not have to be wealthy or own their own home but must have adequate financial resources to provide for a family.
  • Children in the foster care system become eligible for adoption following termination of parental rights due to abuse or neglect. The goal for most of these children is reunification with their families.
  • There is support for families who want to adopt. Approximately 95 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.