Nevada Judiciary

The dreams of more than 100 Nevada children will come true when they are adopted in Clark and Washoe Counties as the state courts and related celebrate National Adoption Day 2009.

More than 80 children in Clark County and 23 children in Washoe County will become part of a “forever family” when their adoptions are finalized during the celebrations in Nevada’s two most populous counties.

National Adoption Day traditionally is celebrated every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  Three Family Court judges in Washoe County will conduct adoptions on that day – Nov. 21.  Seven District Court judges in Clark County will conduct adoption proceedings at the county’s Eighth Annual Adoption Day Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 5. 

“National Adoption Day is a very bright and happy time” said Nevada Supreme Court Justice Nancy Saitta.  “Family Court judges usually deal with families breaking up as marriages end and battles ensue over child custody, property, money, and belongings.”

“Adoptions are joyful events as new families are created and children are given fresh opportunities,” Justice Saitta said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Adoption Day, a national day of celebration for adoptive families and an opportunity for courts to open their doors and finalize the adoptions of children who have previously resided in foster care.

Since 2000, more than 25,000 children have had their adoptions finalized on National Adoption Day. This year on November 21, families, adoption advocates, policymakers, judges and volunteers from across the nation will celebrate adoption in communities large and small across the nation.  Adoption Day also serves to raise awareness about the thousands of children in care who wait for their permanent families.

In Southern Nevada, Clark County Commissioner Chris G. Giunchigliani will deliver the keynote address during the Adoption Day Program, which begins at 8:30 a.m. in the atrium at the Family Court building at 601 N. Pecos Road in Las Vegas.

Washoe County will celebrate its seventh annual Adoption Day event.  District Judges Deborah Schumacher, Bridget Robb Peck, and Chuck Weller will participate in that county’s adoption proceedings, which will be held the morning of Nov. 21 at the Washoe County Courthouse, 1 South Sierra St. in Reno.

Judge Schumacher noted, however, that the Adoption Day concept has become so successful in Washoe County that the District Court conducts such adoption days quarterly.

The Clark County Adoption Day event is a collaboration of various agencies, including Clark County Department of Family Services, the Eighth Judicial District Court, the CASA Program and CASA Foundation, Family Mediation, The Adoption Exchange, and Wendy’s Wonderful Kids.

In Washoe County, Adoption Day involves such agencies as the Second Judicial District Model Court Project and the Washoe County Department of Social Services.

Washoe County has an informal Adoption Day program in part because many of the participants are children.  The program for the families includes a reception, “clown and kid activities, food and socializing,” according to Judge Schumacher.