Adoption program to be held at courthouse The Superior Court of New Jersey Monmouth Vicinage is planned to celebrate National Adoption Day today at 1:30 p.m. in the jury assembly room in the lower level of the west wing of the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold. The goal of the program is to foster awareness and promote education on the subject of adoption, as well as to acknowledge those who have brought permanency to the lives of children through adoption. Speakers at the event include Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson, Family Division Presiding Judge Honora O' Brien Kilgallen, adoptive parent Susan Smith and Peterson Bellinger, who will speak on being adopted. Representatives from the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), the Surrogate's Office and the Monmouth Bar Association will also offer remarks. "Currently, approximately 90 children in Monmouth County are hoping to find a permanent home through adoption," said Lawson in a press release form the Superior Court of New Jersey. "The Adoption Day Program will serve as a reminder to the community of those children who are awaiting a family to give them the love and support they deserve." Individuals interested in adoption will receive information regarding the adoption process and court protocol. They also will have the opportunity to speak with members of the Surrogate's Office and DYFS regarding adoption of a child currently in foster care. From July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007, the Monmouth Vicinage, in collaboration with the county Surrogate's Office, finalized the adoption of 197 children, an increase from the previous year. Of that total, 104 children were placed through DYFS, compared to 52 last year. During the same time period, there were 31 international adoptions and 36 relationship adoptions by stepparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. The remaining 26 children were adopted through agencies, private arrangements or by co-parents. For more information, call Marsi L. Perkins, the trial court administrator, at (732) 677-4580.