Nebraska courts have celebrated adoptions from foster care each November since 1999
National Adoption Month: how Nebraska families can learn about adopting
OMAHA - Nebraska courts have held National Adoption Day celebrations since 1999, finalizing adoptions of children from foster care with balloons, treats and a teddy bear for each child, according to the Nebraska Judicial Branch. November is National Adoption Month, which raises awareness of children and youth waiting for adoption.
The court celebrations take place each year on or near the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Judicial Branch says. Even courts with no adoptions to finalize hold a party for the previous year's adoptive families.
“We need more families to step up and adopt kids,” said retired Judge Wadie Thomas of Omaha, whom the Judicial Branch calls Nebraska's Adoption Day founder.
Families who want to learn about adopting a child can call the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-7PARENT (1-800-772-7368), DHHS says. Other adoption questions can go to the DHHS adoption specialist at (402) 219-1952.
Source: Nebraska Judicial Branch - National Adoption Day; Nebraska DHHS - Adoption; opened Nov. 1, 2026.