Vicinage to Hold Adoption Day Program

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY

CHAMBERS OF MONMOUTH COUNTY COURT HOUSE
LAWRENCE M. LAWSON 71 MONUMENT PARK
ASSIGNMENT JUDGE FREEHOLD, NEW JERSEY 07728-1266
TELEPHONE (732) 677-4100

For Immediate Release:

For further information, contact:
Nov. 7, 2007 Marsi L. Perkins
Trial Court Administrator
732-677-4580

Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth
Vicinage to Hold Adoption Day Program

The Monmouth Vicinage will celebrate National Adoption Day on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 1:30 p.m. in the Jury Assembly Room in the lower level of the west wing of the Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument Park, Freehold. The goal of this program is to foster awareness and promote education on the subject of adoption, as well as to acknowledge those who have brought permanency to the lives of children through adoption.

Speakers will include Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson, Family Division Presiding Judge Honora O’Brien Kilgallen, adoptive parent Susan Smith, and Peterson Bellinger, who will reflect on the joy of being adopted. Representatives from the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), the Surrogate’s Office, and the Monmouth Bar Association also will offer remarks. Judge Lawson anticipates that the program will encourage more Monmouth County residents to consider adopting a child.

“Currently, approximately 90 children in Monmouth County are hoping to find a permanent home through adoption,” said Judge Lawson. “The Adoption Day Program will serve as a reminder to the community of those children who are awaiting a family to give them the love and support they deserve.”

Individuals interested in adoption will receive information regarding the adoption process and court protocol. They also will have the opportunity to speak with members of the Surrogate’s Office and the Division of Youth and Family Services regarding adoption of a child currently in foster care.

From July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007, the Monmouth Vicinage, in collaboration with the county Surrogate’s Office, finalized the adoption of 197 children, an increase from the previous year. Of that total, 104 children were placed through the Division of Youth and Family Services, compared to 52 last year. During the same time period, there were 31 international adoptions and 36 relationship adoptions by stepparents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The remaining 26 children were adopted through agencies, private arrangements, or by co-parents.

For additional information, please contact Trial Court Administrator Marsi L. Perkins at
732-677-4580.

# # #