20th annual Helena adoption ceremony to be held

Press release

The annual Helena Celebrate Adoption ceremony is slated for today at 2 p.m. at the Capitol Rotunda.

  The event is part of National Adoption Awareness Month and is co-sponsored by the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Catholic Social Services, Intermountain, and Dan Fox Foster Care and Adoption, and Wendy’s Wonderful Kids.

  Additional adoption ceremonies are being held in November in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls and Missoula.

  In Helena, a total of eight families will officially finalize their adoptions for eight children.

  “Today, several Montana children will receive the greatest gift of all — a forever family,” said First Lady Lisa Bullock. “This is such special time for these families, and I couldn’t be happier for them.”

  The Honorable Mike Menahan, District Court judge, with help from Sylvester and Tweety Bird, will be on hand to preside over the ceremony.

  In state fiscal year 2016, the DPHHS Child and Family Services Division were involved with 270 adoptions, including 1,185 over the past five years.

DPHHS Director Richard Opper said the state is always looking for more parents to adopt, and also needs more foster parents. Currently, a near-record number of children are in Montana’s foster care system — nearly 3,300. 

  “I encourage anyone who might be interested in adoption or becoming a foster parent to contact our agency to learn more,” he said. “Together, we can make a difference in the lives of Montana’s children.”

  Helena’s Jeremy and Bridget Bartsch will be one of the families participating in the event. They will be adopting a 7-month-old baby boy.

“We are very excited to begin this new journey and celebrate with many of our family members who will be in attendance,” Bridgit Bartsch said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled.”

  For more information on some of Montana’s children who are available for adoption go to http://www.adoptuskids.org.

  Anyone interested in adoption, can email [email protected] or call 1-866-9FOSTER (1-866-936-7837).

  For more information about adoption in Montana, visit the DPHHS website at http://www.dphhs.mt.gov.

  To report a possible case of child abuse or neglect call toll free 1-866-820-5437.