Virtual News Conference Featuring Various Officials Will Kick Off Event at 8:15 a.m. the Saturday Before Thanksgiving
On Saturday, Nov. 20, judicial officers from the Superior Court of Los Angeles County will join pro bono attorneys from the Alliance for Children’s Rights and Public Counsel, along with officials from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Families (DCFS), to perform virtual adoption ceremonies for 165 children in foster care as part of the 2021 National Adoption Day.
For the second year, families will appear remotely during National Adoption Day for the finalization of uncontested adoptions. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of National Adoption Day, which is held before Thanksgiving to coincide with themes of gratitude and family unity associated with the holiday.
Presiding Judge of Juvenile Court Akemi Arakaki will lead off a virtual news conference scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. on Nov. 20, with remarks from U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda L. Solis, Alliance for Children’s Rights President and CEO Jennifer L. Braun, Public Counsel's President and CEO Mónica Ramírez Almadani, DCFS Director Bobby D. Cagle, actress and author Danica McKellar on behalf of the Dave Thomas Foundation, and an adoptive family. A special tribute also will be included for Willie Garson, an adoption advocate and actor, who recently passed away.
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NATIONAL ADOPTION DAY 2021 2-2-2-2
Follow this link to view the virtual news conference at 8:15 a.m. on Nov. 20. Virtual adoptions will begin at 9 a.m., following the news conference. Fox 11 will serve as pool camera and will film a family in their home while the adoption ceremony takes place.
Judge Arakaki will be available at the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Courthouse for virtual interviews between 9:30 and 11 a.m. on National Adoption Day. Please email the Court’s Communications Office at publicinfo@lacourt.org to schedule an interview.
WHAT: National Adoption Day virtual news conference and adoption proceedings
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021
Virtual news conference begins at 8:15 a.m.
Remote Adoption proceedings scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
WHO: Adoptive families and children; Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court Akemi Arakaki; U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass; Supervisor Hilda L. Solis; and other speakers.
WHERE: News conference will be streamed online via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2D3UYcmzBs
Media Contacts:
Superior Court of LA County Elizabeth Martinez (213) 434-7698 edmartinez@lacourt.org
Alliance for Children’s Rights Amy Heibel (415) 359-4851 aheibel@gmail.com
LA County DCFS Juana Aguilera (213) 760-5883 aguiljc@dcfs.lacounty.gov
Public Counsel Joshua Busch (310) 991-2503 jbusch@publiccounsel.org
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