National Adoption Month
November 1 - November 30
About National Adoption Month
National Adoption Month is observed every November in the United States, raising awareness about the thousands of children and young people in foster care who are waiting for permanent, loving families. First established as a week-long observance in 1976, it was expanded to a full month by President Clinton in 1995 and has since become a cornerstone of child welfare advocacy.
What is National Adoption Month?
National Adoption Month is a month-long observance that brings national attention to the need for permanent families for children in foster care. The campaign is supported by the U.S. Children’s Bureau, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), and state child welfare agencies across the country. Throughout November, these organisations host events, publish resources, and run media campaigns designed to recruit adoptive families, celebrate successful adoptions, and support the young people ageing out of foster care without permanent families. The month also includes National Adoption Day, typically held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, when courts across the country finalise adoptions in celebratory ceremonies.
When is National Adoption Month?
National Adoption Month runs from Sunday, 1 November to Monday, 30 November 2026. Within the month, National Adoption Day falls on Saturday, 21 November 2026, and World Adoption Day is observed on 9 November.
Why National Adoption Month Matters
On any given day, approximately 400,000 children are in the U.S. foster care system, and more than 117,000 of them are waiting to be adopted. Each year, roughly 20,000 young people age out of the foster care system at 18 without ever being placed with a permanent family, leaving them without the support networks that most young adults take for granted. Research consistently shows that young people who age out of foster care face significantly higher rates of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration. National Adoption Month exists to change these statistics by encouraging families to open their homes, by improving public understanding of the adoption process, and by advocating for policy reforms that make adoption more accessible and better supported.
How to Get Involved in National Adoption Month
There are several ways to support adoption and foster care during November:
- Learn about adoption from foster care — Contact your local child welfare agency or visit the AdoptUSKids website to learn about the process of adopting a child from the foster care system. Many people are surprised to learn that adoption from foster care involves little to no cost.
- Become a foster parent — If you are not ready to adopt, becoming a foster carer provides children with safe, temporary homes while their families work toward reunification or while adoption plans are made. Every state needs more qualified foster families.
- Mentor a young person in foster care — Organisations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and local mentoring programmes match caring adults with young people in foster care. A consistent, supportive relationship with an adult mentor can transform a young person’s trajectory.
- Attend or support National Adoption Day events — On National Adoption Day (21 November 2026), courthouses across the country hold celebratory adoption finalisation ceremonies. Attend as a community supporter, volunteer at events, or donate to organisations that facilitate these celebrations.
- Donate to adoption support organisations — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, CWLA, and state-specific adoption agencies use donations to fund family recruitment, post-adoption support services, and advocacy for policy improvements.
- Share adoption stories — If your family has been touched by adoption, sharing your story on social media or in your community can inspire others to consider adoption. Use the hashtag #NationalAdoptionMonth to connect with a wider audience.
- Advocate for policy change — Contact your elected officials to support legislation that improves the foster care and adoption system, including funding for post-adoption services, extended foster care for young people over 18, and support for kinship caregivers.
History of National Adoption Month
The idea of a recognised adoption awareness period originated in 1976, when Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis declared a week-long celebration of adoption in his state. The concept gained momentum, and in 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Adoption Week, creating a ripple effect across the country as other states followed suit with their own awareness events.
By the mid-1990s, the growing number of awareness activities could no longer be contained within a single week. In 1995, President Bill Clinton expanded the observance to the entire month of November, officially establishing National Adoption Month. The expansion allowed for a more sustained focus on recruitment, education, and celebration. That same decade saw the passage of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, which prioritised permanency for children in foster care and encouraged timely adoption decisions.
National Adoption Day, which has become the month’s signature event, was first held in 2000 as a joint initiative of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, and other partners. Each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, thousands of families finalise their adoptions in courthouses across all 50 states, turning a legal proceeding into a joyful community celebration. Since its inception, National Adoption Day has led to the finalisation of more than 75,000 adoptions from foster care, a testament to the power of dedicated advocacy and public awareness during November, a month that also celebrates World Kindness Day on 13 November.
Noteworthy Facts About Adoption
- Approximately 150,000 children are adopted in the United States each year, with roughly a third coming through the public foster care system.
- The average age of a child waiting to be adopted from foster care is approximately eight years old, and children over the age of nine are significantly less likely to be adopted.
- Adoption from foster care typically costs little to nothing, and many states provide ongoing subsidies and support to adoptive families. The federal adoption tax credit is also available to help offset costs.
- Since its launch in 2000, National Adoption Day has facilitated the finalisation of more than 75,000 adoptions from foster care across the United States.
- The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, founded in 1992 by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas (who was himself adopted), has invested over $200 million in finding permanent homes for children in foster care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Adoption Month?
National Adoption Month is a November observance in the United States that raises awareness about the need for adoptive families for children in foster care, celebrates families formed through adoption, and advocates for improvements to the child welfare system.
When is National Adoption Month in 2026?
National Adoption Month runs throughout November 2026, from Sunday, 1 November to Monday, 30 November. National Adoption Day falls on Saturday, 21 November 2026.
How many children are waiting to be adopted in the US?
More than 117,000 children in the U.S. foster care system are currently waiting to be adopted, out of approximately 400,000 children in foster care overall. Each year, roughly 20,000 young people age out of the system without being placed with a permanent family.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Adoption Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #NationalAdoptionMonth and #AdoptionMonth2026 on social media. Every share, every conversation, and every action brings us closer to ensuring that every child has a permanent, loving family.
Related Awareness Days
- National Family Caregivers Month — Also observed in November, this month honours the dedication of family caregivers, including adoptive and foster parents who provide loving homes for children.
- World Kindness Day — Celebrated on 13 November, this day promotes acts of kindness that can transform lives, including the life-changing decision to open your home to a child in need.
- Baby Week UK — Held in November, this UK initiative highlights the importance of the early years and the support that all families, including adoptive families, need during a child’s first years of life.
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