Maricopa County marked a milestone this past November with its 25th National Adoption Day, an initiative bent on highlighting the plight of foster children who are looking for their 'forever families.' According to a recent post by the Arizona Department of Health Services, a flurry of families assembled at the Superior Court to make their adoptions official, joined by a supportive crowd eager to welcome the newest members of their communities.

Not just an adoption signing event, the celebration also saw the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Vital Records team jumping in to expedite the amending of birth records for these children, formally listing their new parents. In a show of added warmth, the Vital Records team, greeting families post-adoption, doled out teddy bears and adoption certificates to the kids, as well as treats for all attendees. "ADHS is proud to participate in this event each year to help families acquire official documentation to solidify their forever families," said Katina Lugo, Chief of the Bureau of Vital Records.

With about 12,000 kids in Arizona's foster care system and an estimated 369,000 nationwide waiting for adoption, the day serves as much as a celebration as it does a crucial public awareness campaign. The public, invited to attend, was given a closer look at adoption, its processes, and the existing need for more individuals and families to come forward.

"The team looks forward to this event each year, it truly is an amazing experience to see the families and the support of the community," added Lugo, overseeing children in attendance, who were showering love with festive treats and playful mementos to provide a tangible commemoration of the day's significance. To learn more about how to get involved or for further information, the Maricopa County National Adoption Day Foundation and ADHS Vital Records can be visited online.