Bergen Vicinage to Celebrate National Adoption Day 2024

The Bergen Vicinage will celebrate its 15th consecutive year of participation in National Adoption Day on Friday, Nov. 22 at 8:30 a.m., Assignment Judge Carol Novey-Catuogno announced today.

"National Adoption Day is both a day of celebration for foster care children and their adoptive families, and a day to raise awareness of the need for homes for the more than 109,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted. As each hearing is finalized, it signifies a new chapter for the children who have found their forever family. We are grateful to the many stakeholders and resource families who make this day so incredible," Judge Novey-Catuogno said.

Family Division Presiding Judge Jane Gallina-Mecca said Adoption Day is filled with so much joy and celebration not only for each family that comes before each judge, but also for every judge and staff member who shared the journey with them.

The New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP), the Bergen County Surrogate's Office, the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Bergen County, and the vicinage's Children in Court (CIC) Unit are scheduled to participate.

Pre-adoption festivities will include breakfast, crafts, and games. The celebration will take place both in-person and via Zoom, and all participating families, including DCPP children who were adopted earlier in 2024, will receive gift baskets with games, snacks, gift cards, teddy bears, personalized plaques, and heartfelt congratulations from court staff and stakeholders.

National Adoption Day is an annual event in which courts and communities in all 50 states come together to raise public awareness about the number of children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families.

Although adoption hearings are closed to the public, arrangements will be made for reporters to interview willing families upon conclusion of the adoption proceedings. For further information, contact the family division office at 201-221-0700, ext. 25201.