Nebraska courts celebrate National Adoption Day each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving or a Saturday immediately following the holiday. Participating courts hold parties for adoptive families, finalize adoptions where children are ready, and educate the public about the adoption process. Nebraska’s Adoption Day partners include the Nebraska Court Improvement Project, Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates, area attorneys, court staff, and many agencies involved with the welfare of children. Saturday, November 19, 2016 Grand Island Host Judge: Judge Phillip Martin, Contact: Ann Wood, Child/Family Services Specialist Supervisor 308-218-8338 Hastings Host Judge: Judge Michael Burns, Contacts: RuAnn Root 402-463-1030 and Sue Rutt, CASA 402-463-1030 Kearney Host Judge: Judge Gerald Jorgensen, Contact: Sam Arehart, Child/Family Services Specialist 308-440-7710 Norfolk Host Judge: Judge Ross Stoffer, Contact: Kari Kraenow, Children and Family Specialist 402-649-5674 North Platte Host Judge: Judge Michael Piccolo, Contact: Kelly Nelson, Child/Family Service Specialist 308-535-8061 Omaha Host Judge: Judge Wadie Thomas, Jr. Contacts: Erendida Lopez 402-444-7343 and Camas Steuter, Division of Children and Families 402-595-3257 Saturday, December 3, 2016 Lincoln Host Judge: Judge Reggie Ryder Contact: Theresa Emmert, Juvenile Court Administrator (402) 441-5646 Saturday, December 10, 2016 Scottsbluff/Gering Host Judges: Judge James Worden and Judge Kris Mickey Contact: Rickie Wynne, Children - Family Services Permanency Supervisor 308-436-6525 National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. A coalition of national partners – Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, The Alliance for Children’s Rights and Children’s Action Network – sponsor National Adoption Day. Celebrations on a local level are organized by the Judicial Branch, the Department of Health and Human Services, and a combination of local child advocacy agencies.