National Council For Adoption Announces 2026 Adoption Award Honorees
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is pleased to announce the honorees who will be recognized at its 2026 Adoption Hall of Fame reception: House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Mo.), recipient of the Friend of Adoption Award; Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), who will receive the Adoption Hall of Fame Award; and Jill Hunter-Williams, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.
"This year's honorees reflect the sustained, bipartisan leadership needed to turn a shared commitment to children and families into meaningful public policy," said Kate Kennedy, president and CEO of National Council For Adoption. "Chairman Smith, Congressman Davis, and Jill Hunter-Williams have each helped remove barriers to adoption and strengthen support for children and families. We are proud to recognize their leadership, partnership, and service."
"Effective public policy progress for adoption issues is rarely the work of one person or one moment," Kennedy continued. "It depends on elected leaders who make children and families a priority and on dedicated public servants who do the careful, persistent work required to move good ideas forward. These three honorees embody both forms of leadership."
Chairman Jason Smith - Friend of Adoption Award
As chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Rep. Jason Smith played a pivotal role in advancing the 2025 tax legislation that made up to $5,000 of the federal Adoption Tax Credit refundable. This change expanded access to the credit for lower- and middle-income families who previously could not receive its full benefit because of limited federal income tax liability. His leadership helped achieve a longstanding priority of adoption advocates and made the credit more accessible to families seeking to provide children with safe, permanent, and loving homes.
The Friend of Adoption Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the field of adoption.
Rep. Danny K. Davis - Adoption Hall of Fame Award
Rep. Danny K. Davis has been a steadfast, bipartisan champion for adoption, foster care, and child welfare throughout his service in Congress. A co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, he has supported consequential child welfare legislation, led longstanding efforts to make the Adoption Tax Credit refundable, and advanced policies to improve outcomes for children and youth in foster care.
NCFA previously recognized Congressman Davis with its Friend of Adoption Award. The Adoption Hall of Fame Award reflects his continued leadership and sustained commitment to ensuring that children can grow up in safe, permanent, and loving families
Jill Hunter-Williams - Distinguished Service Award
Jill Hunter-Williams, deputy chief of staff to Rep. Davis, has devoted decades of public service to advancing policies for children and families. A trusted partner to adoption and child welfare advocates, she has provided substantive leadership on major bipartisan initiatives, including the long-running effort to make the Adoption Tax Credit refundable. Her expertise, persistence, and ability to build coalitions have helped translate the needs of children and families into durable federal policy.
About the 2026 Adoption Hall of Fame Event
NCFA will present the awards on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Akin Gump, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. The event is structured to comply with applicable congressional ethics rules.
Media wishing to attend the event should register by September 19 by emailing events@adoptioncouncil.org.
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About National Council For Adoption
Founded in 1980, National Council For Adoption is a leading authoritative voice for adoption and is passionately committed to the belief that every child deserves to thrive in a nurturing, permanent family. NCFA's nonprofit work promotes a culture of adoption through education, research, advocacy, and collaboration serving children, expectant parents, birth parents, adopted people, adoptive families, adoption professionals, policymakers, and all others impacted by adoption.
Learn more at adoptioncouncil.org.
Media Contact:
Amy Wolfe
awolfe@adoptioncouncil.org
