North Dakota Recruits Families for 26 Foster Children
Catholic Charities North Dakota marks National Adoption Month as the state works to match children in foster care with permanent families.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Child Care
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The North Dakota Adoption Network is recruiting permanent families for 26 children in state foster care during November 2026, which Catholic Charities North Dakota recognized as National Adoption Month. Gov. Kelly Armstrong proclaimed November 2026 Adoption Awareness Month in North Dakota.
Why it matters
Children waiting in foster care need stable, permanent homes, and the state's efforts to speed up the adoption process aim to reduce the time they spend waiting. Faster home assessments and finalization timelines can affect how quickly families and children are connected.
The state reports 222 adoptions finalized through its public adoption system in 2026, and it kept no waitlists for adoption services in fiscal year 2026. Home assessments now average 42 days, down from 77 days, based on the state's adoption redesign initiative launched in 2024.
The players
Catholic Charities North Dakota
Catholic Charities North Dakota is a nonprofit social service organization that runs the North Dakota Adoption Network and the Strong Roots Bright Futures programs.
Kelly Armstrong
Kelly Armstrong is the Governor of North Dakota, who proclaimed November 2026 Adoption Awareness Month in the state.
The details
Catholic Charities North Dakota supports families through the North Dakota Adoption Network and the Strong Roots Bright Futures programs. Throughout November, the network is highlighting the need through Waiting Wednesday features, community outreach, and the Red Shoe Campaign, which partners businesses and communities to raise awareness. Free photo sessions for adoptive families are offered in Minot, Bismarck, Dickinson and Grand Forks.
Timeline
2024: North Dakota HHS launched its adoption redesign initiative.
Fiscal year 2026: The state maintained no waitlists for adoption services.
November 2026: National Adoption Month recognized and Adoption Awareness Month proclaimed.
Roadmap
The 2024 adoption redesign initiative set the state on a course of shorter processing times, and the 2026 figures show measurable gains from that effort. The 50% reduction in tribal custody adoption timelines suggests the changes reached children in the state's most complex placement cases.
Families interested in adoption can contact the North Dakota Adoption Network to learn about the process and the children currently waiting. Free adoptive family photo sessions are available in Minot, Bismarck, Dickinson and Grand Forks.
The takeaway
Shorter adoption timelines mean children in foster care can move into permanent homes sooner. Community members can help by sharing information about the children waiting or by reaching out to the North Dakota Adoption Network.
Further reading
Explore more on North Dakota child care programs to see how the state supports children and families.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Minot Daily News.
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