Learn more about National Adoption Day, Nov. 20

Submitted to The Post

National Adoption Day is a collective national effort designed to raise awareness of the inordinate number of children in foster care who are waiting to be adopted. The goal of National Adoption Day is that all children in foster care be adopted. There are more than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system available for adoption, nearly 4 years is the average wait for a foster child to be adopted, and more than 23,000 foster children age out of the system every year with no family or permanent home.

This annual, one-day event has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners and advocates to finalize adoptions, and create and celebrate adoptive families.

4,500 children were adopted by their forever families during the 15th annual National Adoption Day throughout the month of November in 2014 and nearly 400 cities participated across the United States. National Adoption Day has helped nearly 54,500 children transition from foster care to a forever family since its inceptions in 2000.

In Monroe County in 2014 34 children were freed and 29 adoptions were finalized. So far in 2015 47 children have been freed and and the organization anticipates finalizing 40 adoptions.

If you are thinking of adoption, please consider adopting a child already in foster care. The phone number is 585-753-6533 or you can visit the website of the Office of Children and Family Services at www.ocfs.state.ny.us and click on the Adoption tab. Families who have adopted by submitting their personal stories and success should encourage others to do the same.

National Adoption Day is celebrated on Nov. 20 locally and on Nov. 21 nationwide.