November is National Adoption Month

National Adoption Month: Promoting and Supporting
Sibling Connections

Dear Colleague,

Please join me in celebrating National Adoption Month in November. This is a time to bring attention to more than 102,000 children and youth in foster care waiting for adoptive families. The Children’s Bureau sponsors the National Adoption Month initiative through a partnership with AdoptUSKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway.

President Obama released this proclamation announcing National Adoption Month. The theme for this year’s national initiative, “Promoting and Supporting Sibling Connections,” pays tribute to the unique bond between siblings. The nurturing of the sibling bond is crucial for child development and adjustment and, for children entering care, being placed with their siblings can enhance their sense of well-being and provide natural, mutual support. The sibling relationship is lifelong and may outlive many other types of relationships in one’s life. Joint sibling placements have also been determined to decrease the chance of instability in the placement and improve the well-being outcomes for children and youth. Visit the National Adoption Month website that offers a variety of resources for professionals, adoptive families, birth parents, adoptees, and youth. Look for a message tomorrow with additional information.

Thank you for the work you do throughout the year on behalf of waiting children and the families who open their hearts to adopt them.

Sincerely.

June Dorn

National Adoption Specialist
Children’s Bureau