The Family Division of the Oakland County Circuit Court conducted the 16th Annual Celebration of Michigan Adoption Day program in the Board of Commissioners Auditorium on Tuesday, Nov. 20, in Pontiac. This event was held in conjunction with the statewide celebration of Adoption Day. ­

In conjunction with Adoption Day, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Karen McDonald (left) was presented with the Joan E. Young Champion of Children Award, named after Judge Joan Young who retired in 2017 after serving on the Circuit and Probate benches for 28 years, 19 of which were in the Family Division. The Sandra Silver Advocate for Children Award, named after the late Judge Sandra Silver who served in the Probate Court for 12 years, was presented to Berkley attorney Katharine Wetherington (right). In the state of Michigan, there are approximately 13,700 children currently in foster care, including more than 320 children who are still in need of a forever family through adoption. In fiscal year 2018, more than 2,000 children were adopted through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and partner adoption agencies. In Oakland County, 151 foster care adoptions were finalized in fiscal year 2018.

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