Bergen Vicinage to Celebrate National Adoption Day

The Bergen Vicinage will celebrate its 14th consecutive year of participation in National Adoption Day on Friday, Nov.17 at 8:30 a.m., Assignment Judge Carol Novey-Catuogno announced today.

“National Adoption Day involves the collaboration of many stakeholders to raise awareness of the more than 113,000 children in foster care waiting to be adopted. It also is a day of love and celebration, marking the completion of the often-long journey of children with their forever families. We are grateful to the many stakeholders and families who make this day memorable,” Judge Novey-Catuogno said.

Family Division Presiding Judge Jane Gallina-Mecca, who is one of four Superior Court judges finalizing 15 adoptions, said Adoption Day is a day like no other in the courthouse, filling the halls with the happiness of each family. 

The New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, the Bergen County Surrogate’s Office, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Bergen County, and the vicinage’s Children in Court (CIC) Unit are scheduled to participate. 

Preadoption festivities will include breakfast, crafts, and games. The celebration will take place both in-person and via Zoom, and all participating families, including four children who were adopted earlier in 2023, will receive gift bags with teddy bears and personalized plaques as well as  gift cards for movie streaming, games, and snacks.

National Adoption Day is an annual event in which courts and communities in all 50 states come together to raise public awareness about the number of children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. 

Although adoption hearings are closed to the public, arrangements will be made for reporters to interview willing families upon conclusion of the adoption proceedings. For further information, contact the family division office at 201-221-0700, ext. 25201.