Background of the event: The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in foster care occurred in Massachusetts in 1976, when Governor Mike Dukakis announced an Adoption Week. The idea grew in popularity and spread nationwide. Later that year President Gerald Ford proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, and in 1990, the week was expanded to the entire month of November. Now every year a Presidential Proclamation launches activities and celebrations to help build awareness of adoption throughout the nation. Thousands of community organizations arrange and host programs, events, and activities to share positive adoption stories, challenge the myths, and draw attention to the thousands of children in foster care who are waiting for permanent families. Every year Cuyahoga County DCFS (CCDCFS) joins in the national celebration by requesting that the County Executive proclaim the month of November as Adoption Awareness Month in Cuyahoga County. CCDCFS also plans various activities and award ceremonies throughout the month of November. The latest data from the Children’s Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), reports that there are 368,530 children in foster care in the United States. While more than 50 percent of these children will reunify with their birth parents, the rest need an alternative permanency plan. Of these children, 108,877 are available for adoption. More than half of the children waiting for families are children of color, over the age of seven, or members of sibling groups who should be placed together. Statistics tell us that it would take less than 1 percent of the American population to give every waiting child a home!1 In Cuyahoga County, there are 2,133 children in foster care and 888 of them are available for adoption.[footnoteRef:1] Of these children approximately 50 percent are children of color and over the age of 6.[footnoteRef:2] This is why the primary focus of National Adoption Month is raising public awareness of the need for foster and adoptive families for children who are in need of a permanent family. [1: The data is from the Cuyahoga County DCFS Flash Report Summary 3/17/2025.] [2: The data is from the Cuyahoga County Permanency Support Status Report, Children in Permanent Custody/Surrender Filtered for Race and Age as of 03/17/2025.3 The data is from The AFCARS report Preliminary Reports as of May 9, 2023 (30) page 1] The goal of the Adoption Month Event: To increase the community’s understanding of the need for permanency for the children of Cuyahoga County awaiting adoption. Have speakers and possibly the media at the event to promote the above. As a thank you for their permanent commitment to our waiting children, we will recognize families who have adopted children from Cuyahoga County DCFS. To provide adoptive families with information on post adoption services. SITE REQUIREMENTS Our date for the event is National Adoption Day, which is Saturday, November 22, 2025. Location needed within Cuyahoga County or a contiguous county with convenient access to major highways and/or public transportation, access for Cuyahoga County personnel to deliver supplies the day before the event (if needed), and set-up on day of event at 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Time of actual event will be 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free regular parking for attendees with accessible handicapped spaces available. EVENT ROOM REQUIREMENTS Dedicated indoor meeting space or open area with seating for up to 200 people, with handicap accessibility to be used as a general gathering area The room/space should be media ready with access to a microphone and podium as well as have internet accessibility. The venue must be willing to allow possible media coverage of the event. Please indicate if there is an additional cost for use of audio/visual equipment and if so, please include the associated cost(s) with your quote An area for CCDCFS staff to greet and sign-in guests is needed. Space must meet all state and federal workplace, health, and safety guidelines and laws. GAME/ENTERTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS We will need an indoor facility that offers family friendly games/entertainment that are appropriate for all ages. Please include cost(s) associated with games/entertainment with your quote We will need access to games and activities for up to 200 guests. Enough staffing to accommodate the needs of all guests. FOOD REQUIREMENTS Lunch (200 People): Buffet lunch with an assortment of meal choices (vendor should provide the choices with their quote) Includes meat and vegetarian options. Assorted dessert options (vendor should provide the choices with their quote) Unlimited Assorted Regular and Diet Sodas, Water, and Juices
