November is National Adoption Month (NAM)!  This year marks the 16th anniversary of NAM, which grew out of the need to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families for children in foster care.  Organizations and families across the country will be doing their part to celebrate this important month.  Be sure to check out some unique ways others are using National Adoption Month to promote foster care adoption.  Be sure to get involved!

• National Adoption Day will take place on November 20th.  Be sure get involved in your local event and invite your governor, mayor, legislator, or Member of Congress to attend your community’s event.  This is a great way to attract media attention and further raise awareness about the need for foster care adoption.

• Bryan Samuels, Commissioner of the Administration for Children and Families, sent a Dear Colleague to encourage individuals across the country to use November as an opportunity to raise awareness about the the almost 115,000 children who are eligible for adoption and currently waiting in foster care for a family.

• Adoption.com prepared a calendar giving supporters ideas for celebrating each day of National Adoption Month.

• Bethany Christian Services is offering free full-color bulletin inserts for churches to spread the word about the need for adoption.

• Read a children’s book about adoption to kids to teach them about adoption.

• Encourage your church to celebrate Orphan Sunday on November 7th.

• Contact your elected officials and ask them to get involved in efforts surrounding foster care adoption this month.  Refer their staff to CCAI’s elected official resource guide.

• Consider adopting a child today.  Check out Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s Step-by-Step Guide to Adoption.

Don’t let November be the end of your commitment to this issue.  Sign up for CCAI’s newsletter to stay updated year-round about foster care adoption.