More Than 30 Kids to be Adopted on 'National Adoption Day'

RIVERSIDE - Three-dozen foster care children will be formally adopted during a series of one-day hearings scheduled later this month, in celebration of National Adoption Day, at the Riverside Historic Courthouse.

For the sixth straight year, the Riverside County Superior Court is taking part in ceremonies, set for the morning of Saturday, Nov. 23, during which the adoption process will be finalized for 36 children, according to court officials.

More than 300 adoption day events are planned in all 50 states, including Washington, D.C., Guam and Puerto Rico.

Since National Adoption Day began 13 years ago, more than 44,000 children have been adopted from foster care on that day, according to the National Adoption Day Coalition.

The event, traditionally held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is intended to raise awareness about the roughly 129,000 children in foster care who are eligible for adoption.

The court and county Department of Public Social Services are coordinating this year's proceedings. During the hearings, slated to run all morning, judges and commissioners will complete the adoption process for children ranging from toddlers to teenagers, according to court officials.

With the families' consent, media will be granted access to the 15- minute-long hearings, which are typically closed to the public.