For at least part of the day on Monday, Nov. 24, there will be none of the usual opposing sides, arguments and adversarial proceedings in Chancellor Arnold Goldin’s Shelby County courtroom. In honor of National Adoption Month, at 9:30 a.m. the chancellor will finalize adoptions of at least five children, including some who have spent part of their young lives in foster care.
“I will have a ceremony for this occasion,” he said. “Adoptions always are the greatest part of my job because everyone leaves happy. It’s just a wonderful way to start the week.”
National Adoption Month in November and Adoption Day, Nov. 22, were designed to facilitate the adoption of foster children and bring attention to their plight. Across the nation, attorneys, judges, foster care professionals and child advocates join forces to encourage the adoptions of children needing permanent homes.
Last year, 1,350 children were adopted as a result of Adoption Day events in 34 cities nationwide. Approximately 542,000 children currently reside in foster care environments in the United States, including 10,000 in Tennessee. Of those, approximately 126,000 nationwide and 1,000 in Tennessee are available for adoption.
Goldin said in some cases, parents have voluntarily given up their children, but many others have had their parental rights terminated by the courts because of child abuse or neglect. Only about 25 percent of foster children eligible for adoption will wind up in permanent homes.
In recent years, Tennessee courts have experienced an increase in adoption filings and finalizations. In fiscal year 1997-98, chancery and circuit courts statewide disposed of about 2,300 adoptions. Last fiscal year nearly 2,900 adoptions were granted by the courts. And, during 2002, 965 children in foster care were adopted in Tennessee.