What is National Adoption Awareness Month?

National Adoption Awareness Month is observed each November in the United States to highlight the importance of adoption, celebrate adoptive families, and raise awareness about the need for permanent homes for children and youth in foster care. The monthlong observance encourages communities, social workers, and families to focus on adoption, particularly advocating for the adoption of older children, teens, and sibling groups who often wait the longest for a permanent family. National Adoption Awareness Month aims to educate the public about adoption, support adoptive families, and inspire individuals to consider adoption.

With various activities, events, and campaigns throughout November, this observance encourages the public to learn more about adoption and the positive impact it has on the lives of children. It’s a time to reflect on the value of family, offer resources to adoptive parents, and recognize the unique experiences and resilience of adopted children.

History and Origin

National Adoption Awareness Month began as National Adoption Week in 1976, when Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis announced a week to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families for children in foster care. Due to the program’s success, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to National Adoption Month in 1984. Later, President Bill Clinton enhanced the observance by declaring November as National Adoption Awareness Month to bring attention to the more than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system waiting to be adopted.

Throughout the years, National Adoption Awareness Month has evolved to include a range of educational initiatives and events, such as National Adoption Day, celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, when communities hold events to finalize adoptions and celebrate adoptive families. This observance underscores the value of providing safe, loving, and stable homes for children and youth.

Who Celebrates National Adoption Awareness Month?

• Adoptive Families: Families who have adopted use this month to celebrate and reflect on their journey, while offering support and insights to others considering adoption.
• Children and Youth in Foster Care: National Adoption Awareness Month places a special emphasis on finding adoptive families for children and teens awaiting adoption.
• Social Workers and Adoption Advocates: Professionals and advocates in the adoption and foster care fields organize events, promote awareness, and support adoptive families and children.
• Government and Community Organizations: State agencies, nonprofits, and community groups participate by sharing information, hosting events, and supporting adoption awareness initiatives.
• General Public: Anyone interested in learning about adoption, supporting adoptive families, or considering adoption themselves can participate and find valuable resources during the month.

Slogans and Themes

National Adoption Awareness Month emphasizes themes of family, support, and belonging. Common slogans include “Every Child Deserves a Family”, “Adoption Brings Families Together”, and “A Home for Every Child”. These themes focus on the transformative power of adoption, advocating for stable, nurturing homes for children and teens.

Colors, Symbols, and Patterns

• Colors:
  • Green: Represents growth, new beginnings, and the journey of creating a family through adoption.
  • Blue: Symbolizes trust, stability, and compassion, essential qualities in building strong, adoptive families.
  • White: Reflects unity, hope, and the positive impact of adoption on families and communities.
• Symbols:
  • Heart and House Icon: Represents the love and stability that a permanent home provides for a child.
  • Puzzle Piece: Often used to symbolize the way adoption completes families and the unique connections it creates.
  • Tree of Life: Symbolizes family roots, growth, and resilience, capturing the idea of family bonds that strengthen over time.
• Patterns:
  • Interlocking Patterns: Reflect the unique and diverse connections within adoptive families.
  • Circles and Rings: Represent unity, wholeness, and the inclusive nature of adoptive families.
  • Branching Patterns: Often seen in family trees, symbolizing the roots and growth of adoptive families.

Most Used Hashtags

• #AdoptionAwareness
• #AdoptionMonth
• #NationalAdoptionDay
• #ForeverFamily
• #AdoptDontShop

How to Celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month

• Share Adoption Stories: Share personal adoption experiences, or stories from friends or family members, to increase awareness and celebrate the beauty of adoption.
• Support Foster and Adoptive Families: Provide encouragement, resources, or practical support to adoptive families in your community, such as meals, childcare, or mentorship.
• Attend an Adoption Awareness Event: Many communities host events, informational sessions, or gatherings to discuss adoption and support families. National Adoption Day events are especially popular.
• Learn About Adoption Requirements and Options: Use the month to explore the process of adoption, whether through foster care, private adoption, or international adoption.
• Donate to Adoption and Foster Care Organizations: Support agencies and nonprofits that provide resources and services to adoptive families, children in foster care, and adoption advocates.

Why is National Adoption Awareness Month Important?

National Adoption Awareness Month highlights the critical need for permanent, loving homes for children and youth, especially those in foster care who may face long waits for a family. By raising awareness about adoption, this month encourages families to consider adoption, helping to ensure that children have a stable and supportive environment. Adoption changes lives;not only for the children but for the families who open their homes and hearts.

This observance also provides support and resources for adoptive families, recognizing the unique challenges and joys of adoption. It celebrates the diversity of family structures, promoting inclusivity, understanding, and respect for adoptive families. By shining a light on adoption, National Adoption Awareness Month fosters a sense of belonging, stability, and love that every child deserves.