Anderson officially welcomed the trio of children into his family in October 2020. Their interview with KSL News took place the following month, coinciding with November’s designation as National Adoption Month by the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This annual observance serves as a vital platform for drawing attention to the pressing need for foster children and youth to find their forever homes.
The roots of this awareness campaign can be traced back to its modest beginnings in 1976 in Massachusetts, initially as a week-long effort. By 1984, it had grown into a nationwide initiative, and in 1995, it expanded to encompass the entire month of November. In 1998, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services leveraged the internet to enhance efforts to match foster children with their permanent families.
Many adoption agencies actively participate in promoting National Adoption Month by engaging their local communities through diverse programs and events, all aimed at facilitating foster youth in finding their loving, forever homes.
Each year, the campaign adopts a different theme to shine a spotlight on various aspects of the adoption process. In November 2020, the theme was ‘Engage Youth: Listen and Learn,’ highlighting the importance of helping teenagers connect with their adoptive families.
The ‘Voices of Youth’ section on the gateway website showcases videos and narratives from foster youth, sharing their personal journeys and insights into the needs of foster children and youth, as well as ideas for improving the system.
