tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41095543140743702782009-11-13T14:52:37.919-05:00The voice of the National Adoption Center.Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-60436748097946231852009-11-13T14:47:00.002-05:002009-11-13T14:52:37.929-05:00

This Friday, I wanted to highlight one of my favorite Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, Jowelle. It is always a pleasure to visit Jowelle each month and get caught up on the latest news about her friends, school life, and what is going on in her foster home. A typical 12-year-old, she enjoys music, movies, playing on the computer, and hanging out with friends. Jowelle is one of the most athletic girls I

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-37885215398214281752009-11-09T07:00:00.000-05:002009-11-09T07:00:04.379-05:00

To celebrate National Adoption Month, Voice for Adoption runs the Adoptive Family Portrait Project. Today, framed photos and stories about adoptive families will be displayed in Washington, DC. These portraits are then given to each Congressional office where it is to be displayed with the goal is to raise awareness of both the joys and challenges that families experience by adopting children

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-86593266115610148792009-11-06T14:36:00.002-05:002009-11-06T14:39:34.167-05:00

Recently, a Long Island attorney promised a couple desperate for a baby that he could find an infant for them. The cost, he said, would be $65,000 which the couple handed over happily—a small price, they thought, for the baby they wanted so much.Unfortunately, there was no baby, just a money-making scheme for the attorney.We understand how logic and reason can become elusive when an infant seems

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-46861226027022100772009-11-04T15:38:00.004-05:002009-11-04T15:45:56.035-05:00

This week on Wednesday’s Child, we are kicking off National Adoption Month with a success feature on how it’s never too late to find your forever family. Meet Kiana and her mother, Ms. Patricia! Kiana was adopted at the age of 17 by her teacher, Patricia, who happened to be watching Wednesday’s Child one night. Prior to the feature, Patricia did not know Kiana was available for adoption. After

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-39446380268555907282009-11-02T14:24:00.002-05:002009-11-02T15:45:38.279-05:00

As we begin National Adoption Month, it is a good time to remember our mission here. We believe there are no unwanted children, just unfound families. Since our founding we have helped to place more then 22,000 children and youth from foster care into adoptive families.We acknowledge that there are several types of appropriate permanency. We believe adoption is the best choice.We believe the

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-46866548434690150442009-10-27T15:25:00.003-04:002009-10-27T15:29:28.169-04:00

Each year more than 20,000 young people “age out” of the foster care system. For many of them, their childhood and adolescent years were marked by the instability of multiple placements. As a result, these youth are at a higher risk for unemployment, poor academic achievement, early parenthood and homelessness than their peers living at home with their families.When youth in foster care “age out

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-3264559211553199362009-10-23T10:55:00.000-04:002009-10-23T10:57:04.986-04:00

The Center’s initiative directed at the LGBT community to encourage consideration of adoption coincides with the adoption anti-discrimination bill introduced by U.S. Representative from California Pete Stark. His bill would restrict federal funds for states that discriminate in adoption or foster care on the basis of marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity.Stark’s legislation is a

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-19301150264582962542009-10-13T09:45:00.004-04:002009-10-15T12:50:47.058-04:00

This past weekend we had a Match Party in Houston, Delaware. Sam Yoder's Farm provided a gorgeous setting and while it was windy, the weather held for us. The purpose of a Match Party is to provide a relaxed atmosphere for guided interactions between adoptable youths from foster care and home studied families. We play games or participate in activities which get the adults and youths talking to

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-35272931929275161682009-10-07T03:40:00.000-04:002009-10-07T03:40:00.582-04:00

In March 2010, everyone in the U.S. will be asked to fill out a Census questionnaire. The results of the data collected will directly affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation, and much more. In addition, the census is used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-41482236408440799862009-10-05T16:41:00.002-04:002009-10-05T16:48:18.476-04:00

Nia Vardalos, who adopted a child from foster care, has been named spokesperson of the 2009 National Adoption Day in November. In making the announcement, the National Adoption Day Coalition said the award winning actress/writer/director will share her story as an adoptive parent. Vardalos, Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee for the motion picture My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and her husband,

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-15055686228077404362009-10-02T15:47:00.002-04:002009-10-02T15:52:04.591-04:00

“If it comes to a point that the family is so toxic for the child that termination of parental rights and staying in foster care (thus making the child free to be adopted) is in the child’s best interest, I don’t have a problem with it at all. Why would I want to keep a connection between a toxic parent and a child?” This is one judge’s comment in a recent Brief by Child Trends a research

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-12208299134048972642009-09-28T16:30:00.001-04:002009-09-28T16:33:12.175-04:00

Meet the newest addition to Wendy’s Wonderful Kids in Delaware, Na’Heim! I had a great time hanging out with Na’Heim at our first visit. He was outgoing and friendly with me right from the start! Na’Heim was eager to show off what a talented artist he is. He loves writing his name in bubbles letters, and can draw any animal you ask him too! He is an expert at games like Sorry and Uno, and has a

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-70751494956592317662009-09-25T11:50:00.007-04:002009-09-28T10:51:41.199-04:00

My job as Program Director at the Adoption Center has been made easier over the past year because of a great team of adoption coordinators who work effortlessly together on all aspects of the Center’s programs. Sheina Martinez is our Family Advocate and Wednesday’s Child Coordinator. If you are a first time caller about adoption, you will receive a warm, welcoming response from Sheina who will

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-1322816269812377862009-09-23T10:35:00.003-04:002009-09-23T10:41:13.284-04:00

More than 500,000 children in this country live in foster care; l20,000 will not be able to return to their families. In Philadelphia, a new public awareness campaign, Raise Me Up, hopes to enlist volunteers and mentors for those children.In a press conference yesterday, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and Department of Human Services Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose said that the city cannot

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-75727717868822440122009-09-18T13:47:00.002-04:002009-09-18T14:01:02.619-04:00

Happy Friday!!This week I want to talk about the term “special needs” as applied to children in foster care and how non-social work professionals view this term. The “special needs” label in the foster care system means that there is something about the child that needs some extra attention. Did you know that having a sibling can categorize a child as having “special needs”? Wow, I guess I was

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-13850362506559316212009-09-11T14:50:00.004-04:002009-09-11T14:58:06.989-04:00

This week on Wednesday’s Child Philadelphia meet 14-year-old Oprah. This beautiful teen has a great sense of humor. Oprah can be shy when first meeting you, but when she finds a comfort level, she will have you laughing. Oprah is very active and plays volleyball and the trumpet in the band for her school. Oprah is a very bright student and does well academically. Her favorite classes in

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-43579098680992783272009-09-09T15:28:00.001-04:002009-09-09T15:31:24.342-04:00

The National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning (NRCFCPPP) will host a webcast on Wednesday, September 16 from 1-2 PM (Eastern time) about the importance of the relationship between foster and birth families.When there is a good relationship, all parents can do a better job in meeting the children’s needs. Studies have shown that a team approach with planned

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-86355845389531512492009-09-03T16:36:00.002-04:002009-09-03T16:40:15.619-04:00

Labor Day is fast approaching and we’re looking forward to celebrating the last holiday of the summer. (It seems like only yesterday that we fired up the grill to barbeque on Memorial Day.)The gay and lesbian community in Vermont has another reason to celebrate this weekend. At midnight last Monday, a new law went into effect allowing same sex marriages. This brings to six the number of states in

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-34141187012927706842009-09-02T11:29:00.001-04:002009-09-02T11:32:15.988-04:00

A recent article in the Roundtable newsletter published by the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Adoption notes that there are three strategies that public and private adoption agencies can implement to increase adoptions from the foster care system:Friendly and responsive customer service Predictability about the adoption process Support during the waiting period from home study to

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-45675192380402269982009-08-28T11:37:00.002-04:002009-08-28T11:54:55.947-04:00

With the begining of the football season, there comes to light another example of a family providing the love and permanance for a child not born into the family. Jeremy Maclin was the number one 2009 draft pick for the Philadelphia Eagles. This Missouri native was informally adopted and raised by his coach and his family. The coach realized that when he'd drop Jeremy off at home after practice

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-22367042401650153232009-08-21T12:42:00.003-04:002009-08-21T12:50:40.831-04:00

School supplies are being bought, bathing suits are on clearance, and here in the office, Match Party preparations are underway. Planning for Fall has begun!On October 10th, the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley will be heading down to Sam Yoder Farm in Houston, DE. Children in Delaware’s foster care system, eligible to be adopted, will be invited to come to the farm for ‘Fall Fun Day’! Parents

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-53379390407072427142009-08-17T16:15:00.004-04:002009-08-17T16:21:27.541-04:00

Save the Date!Tee-Off for Kids! Tuesday, September 22, 2009ACE Club, Lafayette Hill, PAAttention Golfers: the 2009 golf season is upon us! As you dust off the clubs, make tee time reservations at your favorite courses and work on lowering that handicap, the National Adoption Center’s Development staff is preparing for another fantastic day of golf at the ACE Club in Lafayette Hill, PA. Why not

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-82025256772142795002009-08-14T09:38:00.002-04:002009-08-14T10:06:09.319-04:00

Not-so-happy FridayAs the weekend begins, I wonder if people’s minds turn from adoption, family, and relationships from Friday to Sunday. As an Adoption Coordinator, it is interesting to see the numbers inquiries about waiting children drop dramatically. Do we forget that there are kids who sit in foster care even on the weekend? Do we forget that someone has to do something? Because of the lack

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-55429716347652918632009-08-13T10:11:00.001-04:002009-08-13T10:13:19.818-04:00

This past Sunday, the New York Times printed a letter by our Communications Director, Gloria Hochman, which was sent in response to an article the previous week on same-sex adoptions. The letter along with the original piece can be viewed by following the link below:MAGAZINE August 09, 2009 Letters: The Battle Over a Baby It was striking to read in Pamela Paul's article on Kathryn Kutil and

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4109554314074370278.post-6754896141669278292009-08-10T15:12:00.004-04:002009-08-10T15:21:07.510-04:00

The National Adoption Center supports the need for increased federal funding for post-adoption services. In a recent Congressional briefing given by Voice for Adoption (VFA), it was stated that post-adoption services are critical to helping adoptive families and children overcome the challenges they encounter. These services also help to influence families to adopt, by reassuring them that the

Alexandra Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00757883238687606787noreply@blogger.com0