The Sacramento Superior Court finalized the adoptions of 26 children from foster care at the Juvenile Courthouse on Nov. 15. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Superior Court

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Sacramento Superior Court finalized and celebrated the adoptions of children from foster care on Adoption Day, Nov. 15.

Adoption Day is an opportunity to increase public awareness of the need for adoptive parents and educate prospective adoptive parents about the adoption process. It is also a time to celebrate local families who have opened their lives to children needing permanent homes.

“Courthouses are often stressful places to visit but this is a special opportunity to witness love and joy, and we are delighted to host this annual adoption day event,” said Juvenile Court’s Presiding Judge Kristina Lindquist.

Adoption Day in Sacramento County is a collaborative effort between multiple agencies.

“I am proud of the hard work our court staff and community partners put into this successful event, as well as the collaboration, dedication and care they put into every single case throughout the year,” Lindquist said.

Adoption Day in Sacramento County is a collaborative effort between multiple agencies. Lend a Heart is an all-volunteer organization that provides animal-assisted therapy to the Sacramento area and surrounding counties with teams of certified handlers and therapy dogs. An adoptee plays with one of the therapy dogs on Adoption Day. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Superior Court

During Adoption Day, judges and court staff were joined by community partners, including the Department of Child and Family Adult Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Sacramento (CASA), Parent Cooperative Community, Sacramento Sheriff’s Department Youth Services Unit, Sacramento Public Library, Zeta Phi Beta and Wayfinder.

“All children deserve to have a family and strong connections for life. Adoption is a great work of love and provides a child the opportunity to develop secure attachments and be supported to achieve optimal physical and emotional growth and health overall,” Sacramento County’s Deputy Director of Child Protective Services Melissa Lloyd said about adoption.

Adoption Day festivities included adoption proceedings, refreshments and children’s activities, such as face painting and balloons.

The Nov. 15 event from 9 to 11:30 a.m. was at the Juvenile Courthouse, 9605 Kiefer Blvd., Sacramento.

“We are glad to celebrate the adoptions that are occurring on Adoption Day but we should also take this time to reflect that there are many more children and youth who are still looking for permanent homes,” Lindquist said. “It is important to raise awareness of the need in our community for additional foster and adoptive families. Every child deserves the love and connection of a supportive family.”