[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 215 (Thursday, November 5, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 70417-70418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24738]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 215 / Thursday, November 5, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 70417]]


                Proclamation 10109 of October 30, 2020

                
National Adoption Month, 2020

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For children, parents, and families, adoption paves the 
                way for new beginnings and provides children with a 
                forever family who can help them reach their full 
                potential. During National Adoption Month, we recognize 
                birth families who make the difficult decision to place 
                their children up for adoption, commend foster parents 
                who care for children from different backgrounds, and 
                celebrate adoptive parents who open their families to 
                those children in need.

                All children deserve a stable home with parents and 
                families who can ensure their well-being. Sadly, last 
                year, 153,258 children were placed in the foster care 
                system due to neglect, and 86,694 children were removed 
                from their homes due to drug abuse. My Administration 
                is committed to addressing the causes of child abuse 
                and neglect, bringing healing to families who are 
                struggling with addiction, and expanding the avenues 
                for adoption. Additionally, we are continuing our 
                efforts to strengthen families and prevent abuse and 
                neglect to help ensure that children are able to remain 
                with birth parents whenever possible. These efforts 
                include unprecedented action to end the opioid crisis 
                in our country, increased funding and oversight of the 
                foster care system, and opening more adoption channels 
                to faith-based adoption and foster care providers. 
                Additionally, the Department of Health and Human 
                Services is now providing States with guidance 
                regarding the use of Federal funds to support the legal 
                representation of parents and children in family legal 
                proceedings. The good news is that the number of 
                children entering foster care is declining and the 
                number of adoptions last year was the highest on 
                record.

                Nevertheless, those still in the foster care system 
                often have to wait too long for adoption--sometimes 2 
                years or more. Even worse, thousands of children age 
                out of foster care without finding a forever family, 
                with profound and unacceptable consequences. Of those 
                young Americans who age out of foster care, 40 percent 
                experience homelessness, 50 percent are unemployed at 
                age 24, and 25 percent experience post-traumatic 
                stress. To help solve this problem, in June, I signed 
                an Executive Order on Strengthening the Child Welfare 
                System for America's Children. This order prioritizes 
                the partnerships between private, public, and faith-
                based organizations to keep American families together 
                and, when that is not possible, to find children 
                forever families. It also provides resources for trauma 
                training, support for guardianship, and kinship care 
                for those who age out of foster care. Additionally, 
                through her ``Be Best'' initiative, the First Lady 
                continues to advocate for a safe, forever family for 
                every child.

                Adoption also offers a loving option for women who 
                experience unexpected pregnancies or are unable to 
                provide for their children. Every year, countless 
                families--including many who cannot have children of 
                their own--cherish the priceless gift of an adopted 
                child. My Administration believes that every human life 
                has inherent value, and encourages adoption as an 
                alternative to abortion. All children, born and unborn, 
                deserve a chance to have a better, more prosperous 
                future. I commend the selfless men and

[[Page 70418]]

                women who preserve the majesty of God's creation by 
                providing children with a chance at a better life.

                This month, we celebrate the blessings of adoption and 
                renew our resolve to promote a culture of respect for 
                every human life. Countless Americans dedicate their 
                time, energy, and resources to the adoption process, 
                and we honor their selfless contributions as community 
                members, faith leaders, caregivers, role models, and 
                families. Our Nation is strengthened by the sacred 
                institution of the family, and devoted parents who love 
                and protect their adopted children. As a Nation, let us 
                commit to ensuring a brighter future for all of our 
                Nation's children.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim November 2020 as 
                National Adoption Month. I encourage all Americans to 
                observe this month by helping children and youth in 
                need of a permanent home secure a more promising future 
                with a forever family and enter adulthood with the love 
                and connections we all need.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2020-24738
Filed 11-4-20; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P