Williamson County celebrates child adoptions
Photos by Nalani Nuylan
Eight children in Williamson County found their forever families on Adoption Day, November 1.
November is National Adoption Month. Williamson County was the first county in Texas to hold an Adoption Day ceremony. During the Adoption Day docket at the Williamson County Justice Center, six families welcomed eight children into their forever homes.
“On National Adoption Day, we celebrate families that have come together through adversity and uncertainty,” said Mark Wilson, media relations specialist for the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. “We celebrate caregivers who have become parents through dedication, faith and an unwavering commitment to bring peace and love to the lives of children who so desperately need it.”
Various stuffed animals lined the dais in the courtroom. The walls and pews were decorated with whimsical colors and balloons based on Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You'll Go! Some attorneys sported a Who-like hair-do and one wore a Cat in the Hat costume as he called his witnesses to testify.
Judge Brandy Hallford — who presides over Child Protective Service cases in Wilco — said the theme was about a child’s capability to achieve.
“Children are precious. They’re resilient,” she said. “I always tell my children on my caseload, you can be anyone you want to be. You can achieve anything you want to achieve. It's in you. You're supported, and you're capable of it, and you're loved. You're deeply loved, and so that's really the theme today.”
There are currently more than 109,000 children across the United States who are waiting to find adopted families and are at risk of aging out of foster care without permanency. Around 2,224 children throughout the state are waiting to find their forever homes.
In Fiscal Year 2023, 4,181 adoptions were consummated in Texas, including 66 in Williamson County. As a result of abuse or neglect, 146 children in Williamson County and approximately 9,965 in Texas were removed from their homes in FY 23.
Of the children available for adoption statewide, 63 percent are older children and teens, ages 10-17. Likewise, 26 percent are African American, 39 percent are Hispanic, and 28 percent are White.
Judge Hallford said child protective service cases – by law – are needed to have permanent orders within one year in most cases. The reason the legislature created this law is that children need permanency. Once a child is legally ready for adoption, it's just a matter of either being adopted by the families that they've been living with or matching them with families who are looking for the right child.
Luke was one of these children. The one-year-old was adopted by Susan and Christopher Gonzalez, who have fostered and adopted children in the past. Luke has lived with the Gonzalezs since he was a week old.
Four-year-old Rebel Jo was another child adopted at the Justice Center. Like her namesake, she plays with her mom, Anna Marie Stanley, as the lawyer calls for testimonies. With tears of joy, her mom gladly adopts her. Each family received a copy of Oh, the Places You'll Go! along with other gifts.
“Being part of Adoption Day is very exciting for all of us,” said Marissa Austin, chief executive officer of CASA of Williamson County. “There are so many parties who have come together and people who have worked so hard to make this happen, and it is so exciting and such an honor to be a part of that.”
As Court Appointed Special Advocates, volunteers are appointed as the guardian ad litem by County Court Judges in Williamson County to advocate for the children who are in foster care. The nonprofit exists to empower community volunteers to advocate for children who experienced abuse and neglect by loving safe and permanent homes.
“That’s the biggest message I would say, that these families who stepped up are the real stars,” said Amy Kemp, CASA program manager. “We just get to witness it, which is an amazing gift.”
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is searching for adoptive parents who are willing to open their hearts and homes for children of all ages. Some children have special medical, physical or emotional needs, but their biggest need is that of a loving, forever home.
Those interested in becoming a foster-to-adopt parent can log onto the www.adoptchildren.org website. This website provides information on where to attend an adoption meeting and spells out the requirements to become a foster-to-adopt parent.
The website also features many of the children who are legally free for adoption and who want their very own forever home. Short bios and photographs are included.
The process begins with attending an Adoption Information meeting, where after a short presentation, prospective parents can ask questions about the process that can forever change the life of a child. The minimum age you must be to adopt a child in Texas is 21.
If you think you can be a forever parent for a child in Texas, please visit our website at www.adoptchildren.org or call toll-free 1-800-233-3405 for more information.
“I’ve been a judge for 20 years, a lawyer for 43,” said Judge John McMaster, County Court at Law Four. “This is one of the few occasions where everyone leaves the courtroom happy.”