Friday, April 29, 2016

News from Romania: U.S. Ambassador to Romania Visits Ador Copiii Resource Center for Adoptions

Source: http://www.adorcopiii.com

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 U.S. Ambassador to Romania, His Excellency Mr. Hans Klemm, visited the only Resource Center for Adoptions in Romania, opened in Timisoara by Ador Copiii Association.

His Excellency Mr. Hans Klemm, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Mari Klemm, visited on Friday, April 22, Ador Copiii Resource Center for Adoptions and discussed with Simona Czudar, the founder of the association, Laura Jacan, the organization’s psychotherapist, Andrei Rosu endurance athlete and Ador Copiii projects’ advocate, Gigi Nacev, CEO of Tempini Romania and Andrei Vasile, partners and supporters of the Association of the business community in Timisoara.

On this occasion His Excellency was impressed with the work we perform every day in the benefit of children who want a family, who risk losing theirs and those who, maybe, will never have one. His Excellency showed real interest in the adoption procedure, the problems encountered and the clear steps that our Association did and do to change the legislation in this regard, to become the voice of children and adoptive families.

Read more.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

News from Ukraine: Celebrating Forever Families and Our Newest US Citizen!

Hopscotch is celebrating this forever family welcoming their beautiful daughter home and her US citizenship day!

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How to Track the Status of Your Case

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Check your case status online with your receipt number. You can also sign up to receive automatic case status updates by email.
 
If you do not receive a decision on your case within the published processing time for the new service center, you may submit an inquiry online or call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 800-375-5283 (TYY 800-767-1833). When asking about your case status, please provide us with your receipt number and specify that your case was transferred to a new location.

If we send you any notice (such as a Request for Evidence), please read the notice carefully and follow the instructions provided.

If you move while your case is pending, you must inform USCIS of your address change. You may file a change of address on our website or by calling the NCSC. It is important that you notify us of any address change as soon as possible, so that you continue to receive notifications from USCIS.

Monday, April 25, 2016

From niece to cherished daughter. Kinship adoption works.

Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is experienced in guiding and supporting families in crisis, when the need for a kinship adoption or kafala occurs.  If your family needs assistance in bringing an orphaned child relative to the US, as a permanent member of your family, Hopscotch would like to help you.

Contact us: info@hopscotchadoptions.org

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Sunday, April 24, 2016

Hopscotch Can Help. Kinship Adoption and Kafala.

Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc is experienced in guiding and supporting families in crisis, when the need for a kinship adoption or kafala occurs.  If your family needs assistance in bringing an orphaned child relative to the US, as a permanent member of your family, Hopscotch would like to help you.

Contact us: info@hopscotchadoptions.org

kinship%20kafala%202016

Thursday, April 21, 2016

News from Armenia: WELCOME HOME SAM!!!!

Source: http://www.mlive.com

By Angie Jackson


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GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Smiling and laughing through tears, Sam Bode’s new extended family erupted into cheers as they spotted the 4-year-old and his adoptive parents at Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

Moments before, the huddle of grandparents, aunts, an uncle and cousins had grown quiet from nervousness and excitement. Over the past two years, they’ve only been able to communicate with the cheerful boy via Facetime while his parents, Erica and Jeff Bode, went through the lengthy process to adopt him from Armenia. On Wednesday night, he was officially welcomed into the tight-knit West Michigan family.

Sam, who has Down syndrome, arrived at the airport with the Bodes and their son Jack, 8, after the last leg of their trip home from Armenia. He has spent his entire life in an orphanage.

Read more.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Square Peg Edition by Dawn Davenport of Creating A Family

Source: https://creatingafamily.org

By Dawn Davenport of Creating A Family

exclusion%20different When groups of parents hang out or socialize, I’ve noticed that parents of kids with special needs or learning disabilities tend to find each other. It’s as if we have a homing signal that draws us together. We share something and understand things in a way that other parents sometime don’t get.

It doesn’t even have to be a life altering special need; it’s enough to be parenting a square peg in our round-holed world– the type of kid who just doesn’t fit the mold.

One of the things we get is the inherent “what if’s” and “what then’s” that seem to come with the territory of parenting a child that is “different”. The fears that wake us up at night with a grip of panic about what the future will bring for this child…  and also for us.

Read more.

Adoption Tax Credit Briefing on April 18th, Tax Day. Invite your Members of Congress!

Dear Families,

The Executive Committee has been meeting with more congressional staff over the last few weeks about the importance of protecting the adoption tax credit (ATC) and making it refundable. We have collectively made GREAT progress on the bipartisan Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act (S. 950/H.R. 2434), but we still have work to do before congressional recess this summer. That will be our last chance to advance the ATC bill this Congress!

In an effort to elevate the ATC on behalf of children and families on #TaxDay2016, we have organized a joint, bipartisan congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to share the experiences of adoptive families and the importance of a refundable adoption tax credit. Senators Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Representatives Diane Black (R-TN) and Danny Davis (D-IL) will be honorary hosts of the briefing on April 18th. Please ask your Members of Congress to send their tax, adoption and child welfare staff. Don't know who your Members are? Find out here!


Your phone calls and emails lead to more cosponsors of the ATC bill, which increases the likelihood that the bill will actually be considered by congressional leadership. Please continue to reach out to your Members of Congress to ask them to cosponsor. Don't know who your Members are? Find out here!

In other news, the IRS released a new Tip: Top Ten Facts about the Adoption Tax Credit, which addresses common questions about the current ATC and its limits. As an additional resource, read an article by Becky Wilmoth about the ATC and the need to advocate for refundability: Foster Care & The Adoption Tax Credit.

Please use this tax season to spread the word about the ATC on behalf of children and families!

Warm Regards, 

The ATC Working Group Executive Committee

American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Adopt America Network
Christian Alliance for Orphans
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (Secretariat)
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Donaldson Adoption Institute
National Council for Adoption
North American Council on Adoptable Children
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
ShowHope
Voice for Adoption 

#TaxDay2016

Friday, April 15, 2016

Adoption Tax Credit Briefing on April 18th, Tax Day. Invite your Members of Congress!

Dear Families,

The Executive Committee has been meeting with more congressional staff over the last few weeks about the importance of protecting the adoption tax credit (ATC) and making it refundable. We have collectively made GREAT progress on the bipartisan Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act (S. 950/H.R. 2434), but we still have work to do before congressional recess this summer. That will be our last chance to advance the ATC bill this Congress!

In an effort to elevate the ATC on behalf of children and families on #TaxDay2016, we have organized a joint, bipartisan congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to share the experiences of adoptive families and the importance of a refundable adoption tax credit. Senators Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Representatives Diane Black (R-TN) and Danny Davis (D-IL) will be honorary hosts of the briefing on April 18th. Please ask your Members of Congress to send their tax, adoption and child welfare staff. Don't know who your Members are? Find out here!


Your phone calls and emails lead to more cosponsors of the ATC bill, which increases the likelihood that the bill will actually be considered by congressional leadership. Please continue to reach out to your Members of Congress to ask them to cosponsor. Don't know who your Members are? Find out here!

In other news, the IRS released a new Tip: Top Ten Facts about the Adoption Tax Credit, which addresses common questions about the current ATC and its limits. As an additional resource, read an article by Becky Wilmoth about the ATC and the need to advocate for refundability: Foster Care & The Adoption Tax Credit.

Please use this tax season to spread the word about the ATC on behalf of children and families!

Warm Regards, 

The ATC Working Group Executive Committee

American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Adopt America Network
Christian Alliance for Orphans
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (Secretariat)
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Donaldson Adoption Institute
National Council for Adoption
North American Council on Adoptable Children
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
ShowHope
Voice for Adoption 

#TaxDay2016

Nappies For Nork 2016 - Your Change to Make a "Change" in Armenia!

Source: http://martiniadoptionroad.blogspot.com

Nappies For Nork 2016


Last year, through the great generosity of many donors, we raised $12,000 for SOAR to purchase diapers for Nork orphanage in Yerevan.  For eleven months, thousands of diapers were delivered to the children living there, but the funds will run out after the final delivery this month.

Therefore, please join us in Nappies For Nork 2016, a collaboration of SOAR, Hopscotch Adoptions, and adoptive mom Viviane Martini whose son lived at Nork from early 2009 until summer 2011.

Learn more.

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Tuesday, April 12, 2016

One of The Biggest Names in Fashion Just Changed the Game for Kids With Disabilities

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Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger debuted the first-ever clothing line for children with disabilities on Tuesday.

The American fashion designer partnered with Runway of Dreams, "a non profit organization that works with fashion industry to create clothing for the disabled community." to bring an adaptive fashion line to consumers, the Hollywood Reporter reports.

Read more.

Announcing NCFA's April Webinar- It's Okay to Think About Yourself



"It's Okay to Think About Yourself: An Honest Conversation About Self-Care"

 

Working in the adoption field is more than just a job. For many of us, it is a calling, a vocation, our life’s work. As a result, we give of ourselves in a way that can leave us feeling tired both physically and emotionally. During this webinar, Kimberly Harrell will share practical ways to take care of yourself so you can continue refreshed and renewed in this important work allowing you to do your very best work on behalf of children and familiesty.

Join us on Thursday, April 28th, at 2pm EST for NCFA's Newest Webinar.

CEU: 1.5 hours credit*, 1 hour ethics credit**

Deadline to register: Wednesday, April 17th at noon EST

About the Presenter: Kimberly Harrell, M.Ed., LPC, NCC is the program director at the Center for Adoption and Pregnancy Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington. She has over 20 years of experience working with those whose lives have been touched by adoption, including birth parents, adoptees, adoptive parents and adoptive families. Kimberly is also in private practice in Centreville, VA where she works with individuals, families, and adolescents. Her passion for working on adoption-related issues continues in her practice.  Kimberly has written a number of articles on the importance of support for birth parents, including Meeting Birth Parent Needs for a Successful Adoption.  She also speaks to groups of mental health professionals to educate them on the adoption-related issues they may encounter in their practices.  She holds a Masters in Education from Virginia Tech University. 

COSTS: $25 for NCFA Members and $30 for the Public, CEU $15

Register Here

Monday, April 11, 2016

Adoption Tax Credit Briefing on April 18th, Tax Day. Invite your Members of Congress!

Dear Families,

The Executive Committee has been meeting with more congressional staff over the last few weeks about the importance of protecting the adoption tax credit (ATC) and making it refundable. We have collectively made GREAT progress on the bipartisan Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act (S. 950/H.R. 2434), but we still have work to do before congressional recess this summer. That will be our last chance to advance the ATC bill this Congress!

In an effort to elevate the ATC on behalf of children and families on #TaxDay2016, we have organized a joint, bipartisan congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to share the experiences of adoptive families and the importance of a refundable adoption tax credit. Senators Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Representatives Diane Black (R-TN) and Danny Davis (D-IL) will be honorary hosts of the briefing on April 18th. Please ask your Members of Congress to send their tax, adoption and child welfare staff. Don't know who your Members are? Find out here!


Your phone calls and emails lead to more cosponsors of the ATC bill, which increases the likelihood that the bill will actually be considered by congressional leadership. Please continue to reach out to your Members of Congress to ask them to cosponsor. Don't know who your Members are? Find out here!

In other news, the IRS released a new Tip: Top Ten Facts about the Adoption Tax Credit, which addresses common questions about the current ATC and its limits. As an additional resource, read an article by Becky Wilmoth about the ATC and the need to advocate for refundability: Foster Care & The Adoption Tax Credit.

Please use this tax season to spread the word about the ATC on behalf of children and families!

Warm Regards, 

The ATC Working Group Executive Committee

American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Adopt America Network
Christian Alliance for Orphans
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (Secretariat)
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Donaldson Adoption Institute
National Council for Adoption
North American Council on Adoptable Children
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
ShowHope
Voice for Adoption 

#TaxDay2016

Unstable Conditions in Artsakh

As conditions in Artsakh remain unstable, SOAR remains committed to assisting the two Armenian orphanages in Stepanagert and Kashatagh.



If you would like to earmark a donation to the Artsakh orphanages
 
CLICK HERE

And Choose Artsakh Orphanages from the drop down menu.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Nappies For Nork 2016 - Your Change to Make a "Change" in Armenia!

Source: http://martiniadoptionroad.blogspot.com

Nappies For Nork 2016


Last year, through the great generosity of many donors, we raised $12,000 for SOAR to purchase diapers for Nork orphanage in Yerevan.  For eleven months, thousands of diapers were delivered to the children living there, but the funds will run out after the final delivery this month.

Therefore, please join us in Nappies For Nork 2016, a collaboration of SOAR, Hopscotch Adoptions, and adoptive mom Viviane Martini whose son lived at Nork from early 2009 until summer 2011.

Learn more.

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Friday, April 8, 2016

Nappies For Nork!




Last year, through the great generosity of many donors, we raised $12,000 for SOAR to purchase diapers for Nork orphanage in Yerevan.

For eleven months, thousands of diapers were delivered to the children living there, but the funds will run out after the final delivery this month.

Therefore, please join us in Nappies For Nork 2016, a collaboration of SOAR, Hopscotch Adoptions, and adoptive mom Viviane Martini whose son lived at Nork from early 2009 until summer 2011.

Please send your tax-deductible donation by check to:

Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief
ATTN: George S. Yacoubian, Jr.
150 N. Radnor Chester Rd.
Suite F-200
Radnor, PA 19087
USA

Or via Paypal on the SOAR website: http://soar-us.org/donate.html#donation.

Please earmark your donation for the 2016 Nappies for Nork diaper fund.

Read the whole story and get information on the raffle here!

Thursday, April 7, 2016

UNICEF Fostering Success Comes With A Price: Pemanency Denied to Unparented Children

Source: http://www.unicef.org

Deinstitucionalizacija-01_-_380 Having seen great foster care provided to children in Serbia, I can personally attest to how great this is for kids… EXCEPT…. UNICEF holds solidly to the goal for every unparented child is to have a “family environment” rather than making permanency planning the end goal for every child – a forever family – not just a family “environment”.

Read more.

Multiple Citizenship in Adoption: An Introduction by NCFA's legal fellow Kaylee Walsh

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Those working in adoption often face questions about dual or multiple citizenship from prospective adoptive parents and adopted adolescents and adults, who want to know how the internationally adopted person will attain U.S. citizenship, if they will have two passports, or if being a citizen of their birth country will affect their U.S. citizenship. This article by NCFA legal fellow Kaylee Walsh provides an introduction to these and other issues regarding multi-citizenship in intercountry adoption. 

Click here to download the PDF of Adoption Advocate No. 94 or click here to view the web version.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

May Webcast: Raising Black Boys - A Panel Discussion

Raising Black Boys - A Panel Discussion


May 5, 2016 | 8:00 PM Central

Raising Black Boys Webinar: Thursday, May 5 8PM Central

REGISTER NOW

Raising Black Boys is an honest dialogue about some of the tough realities and complex issues that Black children may experience and how their parents can guide, support and prepare them for a society that is far from color blind.

Join us for a moderated panel featuring African American men from all over the country and from varied backgrounds. Some were transracially placed as young children. All are distinguished in their respective fields.

They will reflect back to their childhood as well as their current role as fathers of Black boys. They will share openly and honestly about the types of discussions that are taking place in their own homes, as well as the everyday fears they have about their sons’ safety and how they are raising them to become strong Black men. We will pose to the panelists the concerns we have heard from adoptive families who are raising Black boys.

Concerns such as:
  • How to have a conversation about racism without hurting a child's self-esteem
  • How to protect young Black boys from the hurt that stereotypes and exclusion can bring
  • How to address and confront the insidious forms of racism transracially formed adoptive families of Black boys are now aware of since adopting their child
Click here to learn more and register
 
Feel free to forward this on to anyone who may benefit!

Our Children Initiative

This webcast is brought to you by ALP in cooperation with Our Children: An Education & Empowerment Series. Learn more about the Our Children Initiative here.

Questions? Email Kirby

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Intercountry Adoptions by Americans Lowest Since 1981

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:                                                
Chuck Johnson
(703) 299-6633
cjohnson@adoptioncouncil.org

Intercountry Adoptions by Americans Lowest Since 1981

Sad_Depressed_Lonely_Rain_List April 1, 2016 – Alexandria, VA – The U.S. Department of State has released its FY 2015 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption, revealing that American families adopted 5,648 foreign-born children in 2015. This marks a 12% decline from the 6,441 foreign-born children adopted the previous year and a 75% decline since intercountry adoptions reached a peak in 2004, when 22,991 foreign-born children were adopted. This is the lowest number of intercountry adoptions since 1981.

National Council For Adoption (NCFA), a non-profit organization committed to adoption advocacy, awareness, and education efforts, notes that this continued decline in intercountry adoptions has a tragic impact on the growing number of orphaned and abandoned children who desperately need a family.

“We would welcome a world in which all children everywhere received loving and permanent care from their biological families or from extended family or adoptive families in their birth countries,” says NCFA president and CEO Chuck Johnson. “The reality is that the world’s orphan population is growing by the millions and that many of these children will not be reunited with family members or placed with relatives or domestic adoptive families. Instead, they are left homeless or living in orphanages or institutions, which are often under-funded, under-staffed, and don’t provide the one-on-one care children need in order to thrive. For thousands of children, intercountry adoption will be their only opportunity to live, learn, grow, and thrive within a family, and be protected from trafficking, forced into the sex trade, homelessness, or premature death.”

There are several factors that contributed to the decline in intercountry adoptions. Some of the multi-year decline can be attributed to Russia and Guatemala closing intercountry adoptions to the United States in recent years and, specifically, fewer adoptions from Ethiopia, Haiti, and Ukraine in 2015.

“It’s a vicious and dangerous cycle,” says Johnson. “Developing nations have large orphan populations and intercountry adoption is a viable solution for some of them. Yet, intercountry adoption is not allowed because the developing nation doesn’t have an advanced child welfare system or an ability to offer other solutions like family preservation services or domestic adoption or they can’t provide the level of oversight to the adoption process deemed necessary by the United States.”

Many child welfare leaders and scholars from around the world are committed to improving the care their countries provide for orphaned or abandoned children within their own borders. NCFA has worked in concert in the last year with leaders from China, Colombia, Hong Kong, and Ukraine amongst others to share ideas about in-country options like family preservation, foster care, and domestic adoption processes and support.  There is a great opportunity and need for all nations to learn from one another and support one another in our common goal of finding solutions for children living outside of family-based care.

In the United States, the federal government can play a key role in reversing the trend of declining adoptions by working collaboratively with the adoption community to find solutions; seeking country-specific solutions that will open doors of opportunity for orphaned or abandoned children to be adopted; and providing technical assistance to countries who want to engage in intercountry adoption, but need support to put appropriate oversight in place. In recent months, NCFA has been grateful to see meaningful improvements from Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues in communication, openness to consider country-specific solutions, and willingness to provide support to sending countries, adoption service providers, and adopting families. Still, we think there is much work to be done to provide the appropriate support to ensure more children find their way to willing, waiting families.  National Council For Adoption continues to call on Congress to provide more mission-specific direction to the Department of State and more clearly define their responsibilities as the United States’ Central Adoption Authority to ensure that this new approach is long-lasting and continues to improve. Ultimately, we at NCFA believe that recent changes in practice paired with additional mission-specific directives will result in the U.S.’s ability to serve more children through intercountry adoption, while also ensuring legal, ethical, and transparent practices.

Lastly, Mr. Johnson expressed, “I am hopeful that this is the last year that I am asked to comment on the decline, but, instead, be able to celebrate next year with the Child Welfare community the increase in the number of children who find loving families through intercountry adoption.”

Click here to view the FY2015 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoption and the accompanying narrative.
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ABOUT NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION

Founded in 1980, National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is a global adoption advocacy nonprofit that promotes a culture of adoption through education, research, legislative action, and collaboration. As the authoritative voice for adoption, NCFA’s areas of focus include domestic infant adoption, adoption and permanency outcomes for youth in foster care, and intercountry adoption. Passionately committed to the belief that every child deserves to thrive in a nurturing, permanent family, NCFA serves children, birth parents, adopted individuals, adoptive families, and adoption professionals. In addition, we work tirelessly to educate U.S. and foreign government officials and policymakers, members of the media, and all those in the general public with an interest in adoption.

For more information, visit www.AdoptionCouncil.org.

Post-Adoption Services: Acknowledging and Dealing with Loss by Nancy Randall, Psy.D. and Kim Shepardson Watson, LCSW

Source: http://www.adoptioncouncil.org

teen%20girl%20lonely%20forest%202016 “Some imagine that life for the newly adopted child will now unfold in typical “fairy tale” fashion, since the happy ending – a loving family – has been found. But what about the other side of adoption – the side that can often involve complicated feelings of loss and grief and, sometimes, lifelong unanswered questions? Losses are inherent in adoption….”

Read more.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Parenting After Trauma: Understanding Your Child’s Needs by the American Academy of Pediatrician

This guide for families explains how trauma can impact a child and provides tips for making them feel safe in their new home. Pediatricians can reproduce and provide this handout to foster and adoptive parents.

Download Guide (PDF)

Helping Foster and Adoptive Families Cope With Trauma: A Guide for Pediatricians by the American Academy of Pediatricians

The purpose of this guide is to support adoptive and foster families by strengthening the abilities of pediatricians to:
  • identify traumatized children, educate families about toxic stress and the possible biological, behavioral, and social manifestations of early childhood trauma, and
  • empower families to respond to their child’s behavior in a manner that acknowledges past trauma but promotes the learning of new, more adaptive reactions to stress.
Download Guide (PDF)