How do I start planning a National Adoption Day event?
Your first step is to ensure that the Juvenile Court (or, in some cases, the Probate Court) will participate. The court must coordinate its court staff and security, as well as the judicial officers, in order to open the doors on a Saturday to complete the adoption hearings. In most cases, the staff time is volunteered and the judges offer their services at no cost. Once the court has agreed to participate, the appropriate local Department of Children and Family Services must agree to finalize its paperwork in enough time for the lawyers to prepare their paperwork. This often involves streamlining the home study process and keeping the bureaucratic process at an optimum speed. If the city decides to use pro bono law firms and attorneys to finalize the adoptions, the local bar association or a children’s rights group can be involved to train the lawyers and assist them with the appropriate paperwork and confirmation hearings. You can also plan an event that celebrates adoption, but does
