FRANKFORT, Ky., May 31, 2005 - Adoption changes lives in a wonderful way. When parents and children come together to form a family, it is something to celebrate. In November 2004, Joseph E. Lambert, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, challenged Kentucky Family Court to hold an Adoption Day statewide to finalize as many adoptions as possible and raise awareness about children in foster care.

During the first week in June, which has been declared “Family Court Month” by Gov. Ernie Fletcher, Family Court is collaborating with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to celebrate the positive power of adoption. Family Court sites across the state will recognize Adoption Day, and encourage their local communities to celebrate adoption and its rewards for families and children.

“There are more than 6,000 children in Kentucky in foster care and hundreds of these children are waiting for adoptive homes,” said Penny Warren, general manager for Kentucky Family Court. “We want to encourage Kentucky citizens and their communities to be mindful of the plight of children in foster care and to consider the tremendous personal reward that comes from making a lasting difference in the life of a child.”

Eugene Foster, Ed.D., undersecretary for Children and Family Services of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said perhaps the greatest benefit of the Adoption Day effort is that it has encouraged many jurisdictions to discuss and examine the entire adoption process. “By doing this they are developing new methods and procedures to streamline the process,” Foster said.  “This joint effort between Family Court and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is getting great results. All of those involved are to be commended."

List of Adoption Day Events
Details for all Adoption Day events may not be available at this time. For further information on other celebrations, please contact Kelly Stephens of Kentucky Family Court at 1-800-928-2350.

Tuesday, May 31 

Harrison/Nicholas/Pendleton/Robertson Family Court will host an educational event on Tuesday, May 31, at 9 a.m. for local attorneys, social workers and court personnel to discuss ways to improve the court processes related to adoption. For more information, contact the office of Family Court Judge David Melcher at 859-234-0190.

Thursday, June 2

Pike Family Court and Family Court Judge Larry Thompson will host a reception for adoptive families on Thursday, June 2. The event will take place in the Family Courtroom of the BB&T Building in Pikeville from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is by invitation only. For more information, contact Family Court Case Specialist Joyce Worrix at 606-433-7061.

McCracken Family Court and Family Court Judge Cynthia E. Sanderson will host an Adoption Carnival on Thursday, June 2, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the Square across from the Courthouse, 301 S. 6th St., Paducah. For more information, contact Nita Pursley, Family Court administrator, at 270-575-7133.

Friday, June 3

Jefferson Circuit Court/Family Division will be finalizing 30 adoptions on Friday, June 3. There will be a reception for the adoptive families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a news conference taking place at 12:15 p.m. Speaking at the news conference will be Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert, Jefferson Chief Family Court Judge Stephen George, Cabinet for Health and Family Services Undersecretary Eugene Foster and Commissioner Mike Robinson of the Department for Community Based Services.

Warren Family Court Judges Margaret Huddleston and Catherine Rice Holderfield will welcome adoptive families to an Adoption Day reception on Friday, June 3, at 9 a.m. The reception will be at the Warren County Justice Center, 1001 Center Street, Bowling Green. For more information, contact Family Court Administrator Maggie Pearson at 270-746-7144.

Campbell Family Court and Family Court Judge Michael Foellger will host a reception for families finalizing adoptions on Friday, June 3. Members of the public are welcome. While the event is scheduled as an all-day open house, most attendees are expected earlier in the day. For more information, contact Family Court Administrator Cammi McGlone at 859-292-6717. 

Henry/Oldham/Trimble Family Court and Family Court Judge Timothy Feeley will hold a reception for adoptive families on Friday, June 3, at 1:30 p.m. at the Oldham County Courthouse, 100 W. Main St., LaGrange. For more information, contact Family Court Administrator Claudia Brewer at 502-222-2112.

Floyd/Knott/Magoffin Family Court and Family Court Judge Julie Paxton invite the public to an all-day open house recognizing Adoption Day on Friday, June 3, at the Floyd County Justice Center, 127 S. Lake Drive, Prestonsburg. Families who have adopted children in Family Court will be special guests. Information about becoming a foster or adoptive parent will be available. For more information, contact Family Court Case Specialist Leigh Ann Prater at 606-889-1676. 

Lincoln County Family Court and Family Court Judge Debra H. Lambert will recognize Adoption Day on Friday, June 3, from 1 to 3 p.m. with a reception for adoptive families. The event will be on the courthouse square. In case of rain, the reception will be in the Circuit Courtroom at the Lincoln County Judicial Center, 101 E. Main St., Stanford. For more information, contact Family Court Secretary June Coleman at 606-677-4186. 

Carter/Elliott/Morgan Family Court and Family Court Judge Kristi Hogg-Gossett will hold a private celebration for families finalizing adoptions that week. For more information, contact Family Court Case Specialist Rachel Howard at 606-475-0079.

 Monday, June 6 

Franklin Family Court and Family Court Judge O. Reed Rhorer invite the community to attend an Adoption Day reception on Monday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 321 W. Main St., Frankfort. Adoptive families will be the special guests, and the public is welcome to attend to learn more about becoming a foster or adoptive parent. For more information, contact Family Court Case Specialist Jennifer Miklavcic at 502-564-2278.

In Fayette County, Family Court Judges Kim Bunnell, Tim Philpot and Jo Ann Wise will celebrate by welcoming adoptive families and the general public to an Adoption Day reception at the Fayette Circuit Courthouse, 120 N. Limestone St., Lexington. The reception begins at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Family Court Administrator Beth Combs at 859-246-2789.   

Webster Family Court and Family Court Judge William Mitchell will recognize Adoption Day with a lunchtime open house on Monday, June 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Webster County Courthouse, 25 U.S. Hwy 41-A South, Dixon. Information on foster parenting and adoption will be available. For more information, contact Family Court Case Specialist Sally Beaven at 270-639-5094.

Pulaski Family Court and Family Court Judge Debra H. Lambert will recognize Adoption Day on Monday, June 6, with a celebration on the courthouse square from 10 a.m. to noon. The Pulaski County Courthouse is at 100 N. Main St., Somerset. For more information, contact Family Court Secretary June Coleman at 606-677-4186.

Tuesday, June 7

Boyle/Mercer Family Court and Family Court Judge Bruce Petrie will recognize Adoption Day with receptions for adoptive families and the public in both Family Court locations on Tuesday, June 7. The Boyle County celebration is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Circuit Courtroom, Boyle County Courthouse, 21 Main St., Danville. The Mercer County celebration will be from 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mercer County Courthouse, Circuit Courtroom, 224 S. Main St., Harrodsburg. For more information, contact Family Court Administrator Andrea Mesplay at 859-246-2789.

Rockcastle Family Court and Family Court Judge Debra H. Lambert will recognize Adoption Day with a celebration on Tuesday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the courthouse square. In case of rain, the event will be in the Circuit Courtroom in the Rockcastle County Courthouse, 205 E. Main St., Mt. Vernon. Judge Lambert will be joined in brief remarks by an adoptive parent and a child currently in foster care who is waiting for an adoptive home. For more information, contact Family Court Secretary June Coleman at 606-677-4186. 

Hardin Family Court and Family Court Judge Pamela Addington will recognize Adoption Day on Tuesday, June 7, at 10 a.m. The Adoption Awareness Celebration will be at the Hardin County Justice Center, 120 E. Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown. For more information, contact Family Court case specialist Marie Colasanti at 270-766-5003.

Crittenden Family Court and Family Court Judge William Mitchell will recognize Adoption Day on Tuesday, June 7, with a lunchtime open house from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crittenden County Courthouse, 107 S. Main St., Marion. Information on foster parenting and adoption will be available. For more information, contact Family Court Case Specialist Sally Beaven at 270-639-5094.

Wednesday, June 8

Henderson Family Court and Family Court Judge Sheila N. Farris will host several adoption events during the first week of June. From June 1-8, a photo gallery display will feature children who are available for adoption in the region. On June 3, the topic of foster care and adoption will be featured on local radio WSON-AM’s “Speak Up” program, and foster and adoptive families will get together that evening for an ice cream social hosted by Family Court. On June 8, Henderson County will formally recognize Adoption Day with a breakfast reception beginning at 8:30 a.m. On June 10, the local Department for Community Based Services will hold a Foster Family Picnic in conjunction with Adoption Days. For more information, contact Family Court Case Specialist Shelah Powers at 270-869-0460.

Johnson/Martin/Lawrence Family Court and Family Court Judge John David Preston will recognize Adoption Day on Wednesday, June 8, with a reception for adoptive families in Martin County at 2:30 p.m. at the Martin County Courthouse, 41 Court Street, Inez. Judge Preston will also be featured in an interview about adoptions that will air on local radio stations. For more information, contact Family Court Administrator Patty Lail at 606-788-7154. 

Union Family Court and Family Court Judge William Mitchell will recognize Adoption Day on Wednesday, June 8, with a lunchtime open house from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Union County Courthouse, 121 S. Main St., Morganfield. Information on foster parenting and adoption will be available. For more information, contact Family Court Case Specialist Sally Beaven at 270-639-5094.

Thursday, June 9

Christian Family Court and Family Court Judge Judy Hall will recognize Adoption Day on Thursday, June 9, with the private screening of a locally produced video about adoptions in Christian County. The video will feature the judge along with local families who have adopted children. Judge Hall will also be promoting adoption through several speaking engagements with local community organizations. For dates and other details, contact Family Court Administrator Jim Bailey at 270-889-6038.

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