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Westmoreland County to Celebrate National
Adoption Month With November 19 Ceremony
Posted 11-17-2004 Westmoreland County will mark
National Adoption Month with a ceremony on Friday, November 19, to finalize
21 adoptions that will create 17 new families. The theme for this year's
celebration is the "Adoption of the Stars."
"What a precious gift to receive in perfect
time for the holidays -- the gift of family," said Commissioner Tom Balya.
“This is the end of a long process for these families, but it is really just
the beginning of a new life. These children now have a fresh start in a
loving home, and their parents have the incomparable joy of raising them."
"This ceremony serves as a reminder for us
all to be thankful for our families this Thanksgiving," added Commissioner
Tom Ceraso. The ceremony is being coordinated by the Westmoreland County
Children's Bureau and the Orphans' Court of Westmoreland County.
"These adoptions are a testament to the hard
work and dedication of our Children's Bureau and the courts working together
every day to make life better for the county's most vulnerable children,"
said Commissioner Phil Light.
The opening ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m.
with remarks from the Board of Commissioners, Children's Bureau Director
Marilyn McSparrin ,and President Judge Daniel Ackerman. Judges John
Driscoll, Alfred Bell, Anthony Marsili, and Christopher Feliciani will
preside over private adoption proceedings beginning at 9:00 a.m. Adoptions
will continue throughout the day until 3:30 p.m. Refreshments and activities
will be available for all new families, and families will receive gifts made
possible through donations by local businesses and charitable organizations.
Information about the 21 children being
adopted includes:
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13 males and 8 females
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2 sibling groups -- 1 with 2 children
and 1 with 4 children
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4 children being adopted by relatives
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11 children between the ages of 1-5
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8 children between the ages of 6-12
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2 children age 12 and older
Since November 1990, November has been
proclaimed National Adoption Month to focus attention on the number of
children in the child welfare system waiting to be adopted. According to
the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, more than 126,000
children are waiting for permanent families. So far this year,
Westmoreland County has finalized nine adoptions.
Westmoreland County currently has more
than 300 children in custody. Historically, 40 percent of children in
foster care return to their parent or legal guardian, 30 percent are
adopted, 25 percent are placed in other planned permanent living
arrangements, and 5 percent are placed with relatives. The Westmoreland
County Children's Bureau utilizes the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption
Network (SWAN) to help locate adoptive homes for local children.
Any families interested in adoption or
foster care should contact the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption Network
helpline toll-free at 800-585-SWAN.
Editor's Note: The opening
ceremonies, from 8:30-9:00 a.m., will be held in Family Court on the
fourth floor of the County Courthouse Annex and are open to the public
and the media. However, to respect the privacy of the families, the
actual adoption hearings will be closed. Some adoptive parents are
available for advance interviews. To contact those parents, call Annette
Gross at the county Children's Bureau at 724-830-3310 or e-mail
agross@co.westmoreland.pa.us. |
