At this time of thanksgiving, the Jackson County Family Court joins in celebrating the unconditional love shown by members of our community as they become parents to children who were previously in foster care.

The Family Court will celebrate National Adoption Day on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at the Family Justice Center, 625 E. 26th Street, Kansas City, Missouri. On that day, 39 children are expected to be adopted.

“In many cases, families who adopt a child are literally saving that child’s life,” said Family Court Administrative Judge Dale Youngs. “That’s one of the reasons why we judges are so privileged to preside over the hearings that bring these children together with their forever families.”

As of November 1, the Court’s records show that there are 245 children in Jackson County who are legally available to be adopted. These 245 children have parents who have gone through the court system, and their parental rights have been terminated.

Of these 245 children, 98 kids have someone who would like to adopt them. Many times, relatives or foster parents will adopt a child once the parental rights are severed.

Of these 245 children, there are 81 children in which the Court does not yet have information on whether there is a resource for them.

And, of these 245 children, there are 66 kids with no known adoptive resource—children without a known person to provide a “forever family” for them.

The light the media shines on the needs of children in our community is always appreciated. As we celebrate the parents and children who are now a part of these new families, we invite you to cover National Adoption Day. There will be a short program at 1:30 p.m. followed by adoption hearings. If you would like to observe and videotape a hearing, a family whose adoption is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. invites you to join them in the courtroom.