WAUKESHA, Wis. — National Adoption Day will be celebrated all across the country on Nov. 18. This annual event raises awareness of the more than 113,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the U.S.

Waukesha County kicked off their own National Adoption Day celebration early with a special adoption event on Nov. 10 according to a news release. 

What You Need To Know

  • National Adoption Day raises awareness of the more than 113,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the U.S.

  • Waukesha County kicked off their own National Adoption Day celebration with a special adoption event on Nov. 10

  • Tammy Schmitz of Waukesha adopted her 4-year-old granddaughter Aria Schmitz as part of the event

  • Waukesha County said that while many children in foster care get reunited with a parent, there is still a serious need for foster parents who are willing to adopt

At the Waukesha County Juvenile Courthouse, local leaders started the event with a presentation, and it ended with a special adoption ceremony.

During the ceremony, Tammy Schmitz of Waukesha adopted her 4-year-old granddaughter Aria Schmitz. Judge Cody Horlacher presided over the adoption hearing.

“National Adoption Day is a powerful reminder of the difference we can make in the lives of children in foster care,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “We commend the dedicated efforts of our community, and we continue to work towards finding loving homes for every child who needs one.”

(Courtesy of Waukesha County)

Waukesha County held its inaugural National Adoption Day celebration in 2013. According to the news release, the county has facilitated 696 child adoptions from 2013 to 2022.

There have been 24 completed adoptions in 2023 to date. Waukesha County has also placed five babies surrendered through the Safe Haven Law with families. Officials said this marks a significant increase from previous years.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, “Safe Haven, also known as infant relinquishment, allows a parent to leave their newborn in a safe place in certain circumstances with certain individuals.”

Waukesha County said that while many children in foster care get reunited with a parent, there is still a serious need for foster parents who are willing to adopt.

(Courtesy of Waukesha County)

Currently, there are 64 children placed in foster care in Waukesha County according to the news release. In all of Wisconsin, there are about 7,000 children in the foster care system and 1,300 of those children wait to be adopted.

National Adoption Day strives to help them and all the other children waiting to be adopted throughout the country. 

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