Monday, December 26, 2011

LEGAL ALERT: Hopscotch Adoptions Claims Victory Against Serial Cyber Defamer

High Point, N.C. (November 30, 2011) – Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc. today announced it was successful in a obtaining a favorable monetary settlement of $85,000 in a federal action alleging cyber harassment and defamation by Vanessa Kachadurian, of Fresno, California.

Over the last five years, Kachadurian’s online attacks of Hopscotch's Armenian adoption program became increasingly threatening and disruptive. Hopscotch alleged that Kachadurian used multiple online identities to avoid detection, which ultimately prompted the agency and Sizemore to file suit in United States District Court (Eastern District of California - Fresno) in December of 2009.

“In international adoption, the agency’s reputation is everything,” said Sizemore. “For the sake of our applicants, adoptive families and partners, we are enormously relieved that the legal system recognizes and is willing to address the harm that can be created by such online harassment.”

Hopscotch and its counsel, Bennet Kelley, founder of the Internet Law Center and author of the highly recognized Cyber Report newsletter, believe lawmakers must consider updating current state defamation laws to cover the emergence of serial cyber defamers or, in Internet lingo, “trolls.”

In the meantime, Ms. Sizemore urges other organizations to guard against such potentially destructive attacks by applying a proactive online reputation management strategy, including search engine optimization and participation in communities across the Web that can speak out and link to truthful content. Though this lawsuit was favorably concluded, Sizemore insists Hopscotch will remain forever diligent and protective of its reputation, which is key to its ability to place children in lifelong, loving homes.

“The Internet is an invaluable way for individuals and organizations to communicate,” affirmed Sizemore. “But not everything posted on the Web is true, and it’s up to every one of us to ensure that reality and facts override extreme, baseless content.”

####

Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc. is a not for profit, international adoption agency authorized in New York and licensed in North Carolina as a child-placement agency. Hopscotch is dedicated to helping children in need of families, through humanitarian efforts and through adoption into permanent, loving homes. Hopscotch was accredited by the Council on Accreditation as a Hague Accredited agency in April 2008, and thus follows U.S. and Hague Convention policies and regulations regarding international adoption.

Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc.
1208 Eastchester Drive
Suite 120
High Point, NC 27265
hopscotchadoptions.org

PH 1.336.899.0068

Friday, December 16, 2011

You Could Win $500 For Your Favorite Adoption Charity

Each year, we poll Adoptive Families readers to get the real deal on the average cost and length of time it takes to complete an adoption.

This year, if more than 1,000 parents participate in the survey, we'll randomly select one and donate $500 to the adoption charity of his or her choice. Take AF's Cost & Timing Survey now!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

LEGAL ALERT: Hopscotch Adoptions Claims Victory Against Serial Cyber Defamer

High Point, N.C. (November 30, 2011) – Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc. today announced it was successful in a obtaining a favorable monetary settlement of $85,000 in a federal action alleging cyber harassment and defamation by Vanessa Kachadurian, of Fresno, California.

Over the last five years, Kachadurian’s online attacks of Hopscotch's Armenian adoption program became increasingly threatening and disruptive. Hopscotch alleged that Kachadurian used multiple online identities to avoid detection, which ultimately prompted the agency and Sizemore to file suit in United States District Court (Eastern District of California - Fresno) in December of 2009.

“In international adoption, the agency’s reputation is everything,” said Sizemore. “For the sake of our applicants, adoptive families and partners, we are enormously relieved that the legal system recognizes and is willing to address the harm that can be created by such online harassment.”

Hopscotch and its counsel, Bennet Kelley, founder of the Internet Law Center and author of the highly recognized Cyber Report newsletter, believe lawmakers must consider updating current state defamation laws to cover the emergence of serial cyber defamers or, in Internet lingo, “trolls.”

In the meantime, Ms. Sizemore urges other organizations to guard against such potentially destructive attacks by applying a proactive online reputation management strategy, including search engine optimization and participation in communities across the Web that can speak out and link to truthful content. Though this lawsuit was favorably concluded, Sizemore insists Hopscotch will remain forever diligent and protective of its reputation, which is key to its ability to place children in lifelong, loving homes.

“The Internet is an invaluable way for individuals and organizations to communicate,” affirmed Sizemore. “But not everything posted on the Web is true, and it’s up to every one of us to ensure that reality and facts override extreme, baseless content.”

####

Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc. is a not for profit, international adoption agency authorized in New York and licensed in North Carolina as a child-placement agency. Hopscotch is dedicated to helping children in need of families, through humanitarian efforts and through adoption into permanent, loving homes. Hopscotch was accredited by the Council on Accreditation as a Hague Accredited agency in April 2008, and thus follows U.S. and Hague Convention policies and regulations regarding international adoption.

Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc.
1208 Eastchester Drive
Suite 120
High Point, NC 27265
hopscotchadoptions.org

PH 1.336.899.0068

IAC 199 Results

The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 199 which was held on 12/13/11.  Download the PDF here.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Hopscotch Adoptions Inc Announces Partnership with Armenia's NGO "Renaissance of Children"

In this newsletter, you will learn about the immense impact of "Renaissance of Children" and how the lives of so many Armenian children are changed forever thanks to this organization and its founder, Dr. Garen Koloyan and friend to the children, Araz Artinian. Hopscotch would like to also recognize and thank our parent volunteer, Kelly Hunt Madden, for her commitment to this project. Without Kelly's efforts, the two year supply of casting material would be only a dream... today it is a reality!! Families that 'give back' through efforts like this are the cornerstone to good will and an expression of our passion for all children in need. Join hands with Hopscotch today in helping more dreams come true!

Download the newsletter (PDF)

Monday, December 12, 2011

Help make the Federal Adoption Credit Permanent

You can help make the tax credit for adoption permanent by writing to your legislators.

The federal tax credit has been a blessing for so many children! It has helped so many little ones find the safety and stability of a forever family by assisting in the costs of adoption. Without it, more children will end up in the system as there will be few families able to financially afford to adopt.

Adoption can be expensive—basic costs range from a few thousand to over $50,000. The federal government has provided a tax credit that has allowed families to offset their costs up to $13,170 with a credit to their taxes. Sadly, it is set to expire at the end of 2011.

Currently there are bills in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to help save this valuable tax credit. Supporting these bills will not only help continue the blessing of adoption, but it will save children from ending up in an overburdened foster system that is simply not the best option.

If you care about children joining permanent families, please contact your representative and your senators and ask them to support and vote in favor of bill H.R. 213 in the House and bill S.2816 in the Senate. Here are the steps:

Find your representatives. Contacting the Congress has both phone numbers and the means by which to send e-mail: www.ContactingtheCongress.org

Call your legislator's office. Simply dial the number and let them know that you hope they support the extension of the adoption tax credit. E-mail your legislator as well, encouraging them to support the bill. If you are inspired, feel free to contact others, including senate leadership, the president, and media outlets to bring attention to this need.

Thank you for your help in ensuring this continues to help all the children who need to find their forever families! See More.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

LEGAL ALERT: Hopscotch Adoptions Claims Victory Against Serial Cyber Defamer

High Point, N.C. (November 30, 2011) – Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc. today announced it was successful in a obtaining a favorable monetary settlement of $85,000 in a federal action alleging cyber harassment and defamation by Vanessa Kachadurian, of Fresno, California.

Over the last five years, Kachadurian’s online attacks of Hopscotch's Armenian adoption program became increasingly threatening and disruptive. Hopscotch alleged that Kachadurian used multiple online identities to avoid detection, which ultimately prompted the agency and Sizemore to file suit in United States District Court (Eastern District of California - Fresno) in December of 2009.

“In international adoption, the agency’s reputation is everything,” said Sizemore. “For the sake of our applicants, adoptive families and partners, we are enormously relieved that the legal system recognizes and is willing to address the harm that can be created by such online harassment.”

Hopscotch and its counsel, Bennet Kelley, founder of the Internet Law Center and author of the highly recognized Cyber Report newsletter, believe lawmakers must consider updating current state defamation laws to cover the emergence of serial cyber defamers or, in Internet lingo, “trolls.”

In the meantime, Ms. Sizemore urges other organizations to guard against such potentially destructive attacks by applying a proactive online reputation management strategy, including search engine optimization and participation in communities across the Web that can speak out and link to truthful content. Though this lawsuit was favorably concluded, Sizemore insists Hopscotch will remain forever diligent and protective of its reputation, which is key to its ability to place children in lifelong, loving homes.

“The Internet is an invaluable way for individuals and organizations to communicate,” affirmed Sizemore. “But not everything posted on the Web is true, and it’s up to every one of us to ensure that reality and facts override extreme, baseless content.”

####

Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc. is a not for profit, international adoption agency authorized in New York and licensed in North Carolina as a child-placement agency. Hopscotch is dedicated to helping children in need of families, through humanitarian efforts and through adoption into permanent, loving homes. Hopscotch was accredited by the Council on Accreditation as a Hague Accredited agency in April 2008, and thus follows U.S. and Hague Convention policies and regulations regarding international adoption.

Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc.
1208 Eastchester Drive
Suite 120
High Point, NC 27265
hopscotchadoptions.org

PH 1.336.899.0068

Free Webinar on Adoption Financing

Please join me to learn more about adoption financing and have the opportunity to get your questions answered during the live Q and A session.

FINANCIAL PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE IN THE ADOPTION PROCESS: FREE WEBINAR on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 7 PM. Here is the link to sign up for this Free Webinar.

Resources4Adoption and Children of All Nations

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Waiting for Mattson

We waited for 10 months which seemed like 10 years to bring our baby girl home. Here is a video I created of the photos and video updates we received along the way.