waiting...

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit is Coming to North Carolina!

2012-02-13T11:05:00.002-05:00

We are pleased to announce that our first Together for Adoption regional conference will be held at Calvary (West Campus) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Saturday, April 28th. The primary objective for all of our conferences (both regional & national) is to magnify the adopting grace of God the Father in Christ Jesus and to mobilize the church for global orphan care. If you live in the Southeast, we hope you will join us and a great group of exhibitors for our first regional conference.

Registration is $39 per person. Online registration will in February.

Worship will be led by Kaleb Scharmahorn (listen to Kaleb’s worship band’s new CD).

New Webinar by Dr. Karyn Purvis

2012-02-03T07:39:00.001-05:00

Snack, Play, Love

The Connection Between Nutrition and Your Child's Behavior

Join Dr. Karyn Purvis as she discusses the most recent research on the impact nutrition can have on behavior. She will examine the effects certain foods may have and how small changes in diet can make a big impact on how your child feels and therefore behaves. Learn more and register.

Practical tools anyone can use right now
Make small changes for big results
Current scientific research
A certificate for 1 credit hour is available after successful completion of a post test Thursday, March 22, 2012
7:00PM - 8:00PM Central Time
Q & A: 8:00PM - 8:30PM Central Time
Register today at www.adoptionlearningpartners.org

Positive Adoption Stories

2011-11-11T11:39:00.001-05:00

Let's see how many positive adoption

stories we can tell . . .

In celebration of National Adoption Month, share your positive adoption story, comment and/or photo with us on FACEBOOK. Here's our first entry . . .

"The blending in of our three biological children that followed made for one beautiful and happy family."

"I can't imagine what our life would be like had we not adopted our first two children. Fifty-two years ago my husband and I adopted our first son and two years later son number two. The blending in of our three biological children that followed made for one beautiful and happy family.

To make this even more wonderful, we have an adopted granddaughter, now 23 years old from Russia - a joy for sure.

My husband, their Dad, is now deceased but I know if he was still alive he would agree with me that if we had to do it all over again - we certainly would. God is good!" E.S.D.

Heart of the Matter Seminars
1022 SW Twin Creek Drive
Lee's Summit, Missouri 64081
816-246-1100

Free Webinar: We're Home! Now What?

2011-11-04T17:02:00.000-04:00

find a course| adopting| parenting| professionals

QUICK LINKS

Website

Courses and Discounts

About Us

Questions? Email us

FREE: We're Home! Now What?

November Only! Share this with your families today!

Dear James M.

For Adoption Awareness Month we are offering We're Home! Now What? free to families adopting internationally who:

Are awaiting a referral
Have recently received a referral
Have adopted in the last 6 months

We're Home! Now What? helps new, internationally formed families address the immediate issues new families face while getting to know one another. Subject matter experts give practical suggestions related to: language, sleep, eating, discipline, attachment and medical care.

Please copy and send the following information to your families:

--------------------------------------------------------

During November, Adoption Awareness Month, Adoption Learning Partners is offering We're Home! Now What? for FREE to our families!

To receive this course for free, follow the link below to the registration page.
Enter your agency code, which is: F351CAS during registration.
When registration is complete, a coupon code will appear. Use this coupon code at checkout.

http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/redirect-whnw.cfm

--------------------------------------------------------

Please share this information with your international families who: are awaiting a referral, have recently received a referral or have adopted in the last 6 months. Simply copy and paste the above information into your own email!

Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Barbara Supergan

bsupergan@adoptionlearningpartners.org

224-430-3016

Orphan Sunday - November 6, 2011

2011-11-03T15:31:00.001-04:00

Christian Alliance for Orphans

On Orphan Sunday evening, join with David Platt, Jedd Medefind, the Desperation Band's Jon Egan, members of the IHOP team and Christian leaders from around the globe via

LIVE from Kansas City!

This one-hour webcast event will unite believers worldwide in GUIDED PRAYER for the fatherless and WORSHIP led by IHOP's Jon Thurlow and Jon Egan of the Desperation Band.

LIVE from Kansas City will be webcast live at www.orphansunday.org November 6, 2011 at 6 PM Central Time.

To join the webcast ONLINE is free, but please REGISTER HERE.
To join IN PERSON tickets are free, but you must register HERE.

Visit us at www.christianalliancefororphans.org

Picture Perfect Moment!

2011-11-03T14:32:00.001-04:00

A Picture Perfect Moment

Joint Council's Fourth Annual Photo Contest

In honor of National Adoption Month, Joint Council is launching its Fourth Annual Photo Contest and is now accepting submissions.

This year's photo contest brings a new opportunity for the community to see through your unique lens how your life has been impacted through your forever family. We are looking for beautiful, inspiring photos of all types of children- children in orphanages, foster homes, or adoptive families, engaged in all types of activities- children at play, in reflection, or just being loved.

The photo contest is open to all persons interested in child welfare issues related to finding children a safe, loving, and permanent homes. Examples of some persons who may want to enter the contest are parents, adoptive parents, foster parents or employees of child welfare organizations.

Visit our photo contest website for information on how to submit your photo!

Photo Contest Information

JointCouncil.org

Joint Council on Facebook

@Joint Council on Twitter

The contest will begin at 12:01 AM EST on November 1st, 2011, and ends November 30, 2011, at 11:59 PM EST.

Pleas visit our photo contest website to learn more about the contest rules, how to vote, prizes and much more.

● 117 South St Asaph St ● Alexandria, VA 22314 USA ● Tel: +1 703-535-8045 ●

● http://jointcouncil.org ● betheanswer@jointcouncil.org ●

Discipline from ages 4-12

2011-10-17T09:12:00.001-04:00


	Discipline From 4-12 is practical advice and encouragement for parents who are training children ages 4-12. It’s yours FREE, just click below.

2011-10-10T10:07:00.003-04:00

Life Book Class
Speaker/Instructor: Beth Darst
Thursday, October 13

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Colonial Baptist Church
6051 Tryon Rd
Cary, NC 27518
Room FC212

http://www.colonial.org/directions.html

If you are interested please email Annice Broadwell at AnniceB@nc.rr.com. We need a headcount for materials and refreshments. I will also need email addresses to give access codes.

Access codes for the doors would be given to all attendees a day or two before the meeting.

Courageous: In Theaters Now

2011-10-10T10:07:00.000-04:00

Four men, one calling: To serve and protect.

As law enforcement officers, they are confident and focused, standing up to the worst the streets have to offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood.

When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children? Protecting the streets is second nature. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous!

Watch the trailer at: http://www.courageousthemovie.com/

In Theaters Now!

2011-09-15T14:05:00.004-04:00

Seven Days in Utopia

The NUMBER ONE Christian Movie in America

See it Today!!

"Beautiful, Charming, Wholesome!" - Michael Medved

Make sure to watch the Movie Trailer: http://www.sevendaysinutopia.com/

Is It An Adoption Thing?

2011-09-15T14:02:00.000-04:00

Expert advice on child development and adoption.

When your child exhibits challenging or frustrating behaviors, do you: (a) Immediately assume it's related to his adoption history? (b) Not even consider adoption? (c) Struggle to determine when to point to adoption and when to assume it's just kid stuff?

Because many families struggle with the difficult task of sorting out if behaviors and challenges are adoption related or not, we've asked an expert, Dr. Gregory Keck, to help!

Wednesday, November 2
7:00 - 8:00 PM Central
Q & A: 8:00 - 8:30PM
Cost: $15

REGISTER: http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/webinars/is-it-adoption.cfm?utm_source=proflastisita&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=professionalblast

This webinar will:

Discuss common challenging behaviors adopted children may exhibit at each developmental stage.Offer real life examples and suggestions for handling these behaviors. Examine effective and ineffective parenting tools

Dr. Keck looks forward to answering audience specific questions too. Instructions are provided in the registration confirmation email or Tweet them to @adoptiontweet using #isitadoption.

Coming later this month...

2011-09-15T13:37:00.003-04:00

"Parent Planning for Special Needs Adoption"

A new, online course for parents and professionals!
Like us on facebook (Heart of the Matter Seminars) to hear first of its release!
Helping families plan for success!

Heart of the Matter Seminars
1022 SW Twin Creek Drive
Lee's Summit, Missouri 64081
816-246-1100

Upcoming Webinar

2011-08-17T11:07:00.001-04:00

Transracial Adoption: Becoming a Multicultural/Multiracial Family

"Our webinar will inform participants of the joys and challenges of expanding families through Transracial adoption, provide awareness of the sensitivities to the lifelong impacts of adoption, and offer tangible suggestions for the community to help support and embrace families."

Date: Wednesday August 31, 2011 - 2:00PM Eastern
Host Church: Bethlehem Baptist Church
Presenters: Jaclyn Skalnik, Bethany Christian Services, Maridel Sandberg, Bethlehem Baptist Church
Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/586449160

2011-08-12T14:52:00.002-04:00

Don't miss this informative webinar:

Adoption Basics for the Classroom!

You talk to your child about adoption, but what about the time he spends at school? What does his teacher know about adoption? About birth parents? Does she know how to help him answer, "Why don't you look like your parents?"

Thursday, September 22, 2011

7:00-8:00PM Central

Q & A: 8:00-8:30PM

Cost: $15.00

Register: http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/webinars/adoption-basics-classroom.cfm?utm_source=classroomblastpr&utm_medium=blast&utm_campaign=classroomblastpr

Join Debbie Riley, CEO of the Center for Adoption Support and Education as she discusses how adoptive parents can educate their educators. This webinar will help families:

1. Educate teachers on managing discussions about adoption

2. Determine how much of their child's story to share

3. Learn how to handle some standard school projects

We hope you take part in this wonderful opportunity to educate yourselves and others!

Informational Meeting!

2011-08-11T09:38:00.002-04:00

Christian Adoption Services invites you to attend a free domestic and international adoption informational meeting at 624-134 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC on September 23, 2011 at 1:00PM. Families with completed home studies seeking to adopt minority infants are welcome. Please call 704.847.0038 or email CAS@christianadopt.org to register.

Please pray for this child!

2011-06-29T09:48:00.002-04:00

10 Years Old

She came to us with her little sister, in the wee hours of the morning just about a month ago. My staff had found her in the wet, leaking flooded waiting room of a government hospital. We had been monitoring her mother's latest baby who had pneumonia but we didn't know about these siblings. My staff brought her and her little sister back to Gentle Hands, cold, wet, and exhausted. The mother had left in the night- to do what, no one knew. But the 10 year old had been left in charge of the baby who lay fighting for life in the NICU.

The baby was discharged a few days ago- dropped off by the mother at the door late on Friday afternoon in the middle of the typhoon. She said little and left almost immediately. The baby? A whole other story. You would think being discharged means being well. Not in this country.

But it's Monday now. The mother is back to pick up her kids that we have cared for for a month. The ten year old, she wants. The baby, she doesn't want. But then we learn how of 6 children, there are actually three fathers. And the abuse that they have suffered at the hands of these step-fathers is heartbreaking. But in this situation, I cannot keep this child if the mother is determined to take her back.

And so now I hold her little face in my hands. I have had little interaction with this girl. Quite on purpose. On some level, I convinced myself it was for her sake. I didn't want her to attach to me because I didn't know if I would be able to keep her. It would be hard for her to say goodbye.

The ugly truth is, I didn't want to attach to her because letting her go back to a mother who wasn't' really able to meet her needs, would be so hard. It hurts to watch children suffer. I am convicted of my own selfishness. Who am I to decide when to hold back love or not.

She is standing now, in front of me, ready to go. Her eyes are so deep.
"Are you afraid?" I ask.

"I am", she says, holding my eyes with hers.

'What will you do when you are afraid?" I ask her, biting my own lip.

"Mama Judy taught me how to pray. I will pray."

I hold her hands. Tears run down her cheeks.
"Jesus will never leave your side. Do you know that?"

"Yes, Teacher Bunny taught me that", she whispers.

"You are a brave little girl. You are strong. Jesus loves you and He sees everything. His angels will protect you. But if you need me..."

I wrap my arms around her and she melts into me. Her sobs are silent. It is a long embrace. But not nearly long enough. Her mother is impatiently waiting at the door. I have to let her go.

I scribble my contact numbers on a piece of paper for her to hide in her pocket. She smiles, just a little. "I know how to use a cell phone", she whispers. "I was counting on that", I whisper back.

She wipes her eyes. But the tears do not seem to notice. She wipes them again and I embrace her one more time. She smiles and they leave.
I watch them walk down the street, my heart aching. The mother is not holding her hand.

But she doesn't need to. There is an angel on either side of that little girl, holding either hand.

Love of the Poor,

Charity Graff
Executive Director
Gentle Hands Inc

***This is an orphanage that CAS helps to sponser in the Philippines***

2011-05-31T11:00:00.003-04:00

Mixbook.com now offers adoption announcements instead of the traditional baby announcements! You can custom fit them for your child/children! Take a look at the link:

http://www.mixbook.com/cards/adoption-announcements/simple-joys-406

May 19th Webinar on Sleep Issues in Adopted Children

2011-05-18T09:08:00.000-04:00

Are You Sleeping?

It's almost here! Thursday May 19th is the Are You Sleeping webinar! Expert advice for adoptive families struggling to get a good night's sleep. It'll be worth staying awake for! Read more...

Thursday, 5/19/117:00 - 8:00 PM Central
Q & A: 8:00 - 8:30PM
Cost: $15

REGISTER

Join Dr. Julian Davies for a practical exploration of why adopted children (and their parents) often sleep so poorly ... and what you can do about it! He will review sleep physiology, why sleep is so important, and specific strategies for persistent sleep difficulties. Find out more about what Dr. Davies will cover.
Julian Davies

Dr. Davies looks forward to answering audience specific questions too. Instructions are provided in the registration confirmation email.

2011-05-10T14:55:00.000-04:00

Questions that crossed a 29 year old adult adoptee’s mind growing up.

1. Does my birthmom miss me?
2. Did she look at me when I was born?
3. Did I mean the world to her?
4. Did she say my name to my face?
5. Was I loved?
6. Did she want me?
7. Did she care?
8. Is she my real birth mom since she doesn’t look like me?
9. Why did she leave me?
10. Why did she keep my siblings instead of me?
11. Lack of money?
12. Did she love my dad?
13. Was I a one night stand?
14. Was it a summer romance?
15. What time was it?
16. Who held her hand?
17. Was I a problem?
18. Am I erased?
19. Was she afraid?
20. Was I quickly taken away?
21. What was the day like?
22. Was it sad?
23. What about my grandparents?

2011-04-07T10:32:00.001-04:00

Too Much Attention Why do our darker-skinned children receive attention and flattery from strangers—and what are we to do about it? By Marybeth Lambe, M.D.

Standing in a grocery checkout line, Yuanjun flushes a deep red when yet another store clerk praises his beautiful eyes. "Make them talk to Brendan next time," he implores. Our African-American daughter, Emma Rose, long ago grew weary of comments from strangers about her "gorgeous hair," "lovely eyes," and "glorious smile." Shen Bo, our youngest, whispers to me as we wait our turn at the dry cleaners, "Why am I so pretty?" Our pale-skinned, biological children notice such compliments, as well. When they were younger, it was a puzzle. Why did their darker-hued sisters and brothers get all the attention? I recall seven-year-old John rolling his eyes at the bakery: "No one ever offers me a free cookie because of my pretty eyes!" And I remember seeing 11-year-old Sara shooting a disgusted look at her little sister: "Chengming gets away with murder on the school bus because she's so cute! The bus driver doesn't even smile at me!" What is happening here? Can a compliment not be a compliment? Our sprawling multiethnic and multicultural family wonders about this almost every day. All seven of our children are beautiful—at least to this foolish mother’s eye. So what troubles me about such praise? Are our darker-skinned children unusually attractive? Or is it possible these compliments mask a subtle racism? Motives matter I know that our family attracts a certain amount of curiosity simply because our kids’ ethnicities are uncommon in our small town, and that a compliment can be a way to start a chat. I myself have sidled up to families that resemble ours, or shyly asked an African-American mother about her daughter’s braid style. But some compliments—the ones Emma Rose calls “embarrassing”—seem different, and kids can sense the false note in them. Emma Rose became aware of racial distinctions when she started school. “Mom, there are only five other brown kids in my whole class, but none of the other kids can tell us apart! I am so tired of being called Amber or Chandra!” A few years later, she came home with a different complaint. “Everybody keeps saying how pretty my hair is—nobody knows about extensions, Mom. The kids try to touch my hair and play with it.” And at age 10, “Maybe I make them nervous. Maybe they don’t know how to talk to me.” Her voice dropped lower. “Maybe,” she whispered, “they really think I’m ugly….” No, it is not the compliments themselves I am assailing. My anguish is for my children, who quickly figure out why they are recipients of such extravagant praise. Will the mother of Emma Rose’s classmate, the mother who always rushes to comment on Emma Rose’s beauty, balk when teenage Emma Rose wants to date her son? My instincts tell me that that mother is overcompensating for a degree of racial discomfort. Reverse prejudice perhaps, but discrimination all the same. Emma Rose, now 16, tells us that over-the-top compliments, far from increasing her self-confidence, make her feel set apart from her classmates. Talking it through Becoming aware of this type of reverse racism does not mean we’ve become rude or hostile. We ask our children to accept compliments with respect and modesty. A muttered “thank you” and a smile will suffice. But in the privacy of our car or home we may ask, “How did it make you feel?” The answer is often, “Embarrassed,” “I wanted to hide behind you,” or, the saddest, “I wished I were white, so people would stop looking at me.” We also ask, “Why do you think that person said that?” and “How do you want to handle it?” “Emma Rose, why do you suppose the pastor’s wife kept telling you how soft your skin is?” Amazingly, the kids often figure it out themselves. “Well, Mom, I think Mrs. Rogers had never felt an African American before. Can you imagine? I was her first example.” Emma Rose When is a compliment not a compliment, our family often wonders? giggles, “Man, she needs to get out more—half the youth group is black.” This has been a revelation for our lighter-skinned children. It was a relief for Sara to realize her auburn hair and her blue eyes are indeed beautiful. And it has saddened her to understand, finally, why Emma Rose always gets compliments. Sara no longer feels “plain” or “ugly,” and she is now indignant for her siblings, who must deal with unwanted attention. As our children have grown, they have taken a larger role in speaking up, and they feel empowered to do so. How do you change society? One person at a time. Yet, it is not our children’s job to erase others’ bias. They have lives to live and a world to explore. As Caucasians, my husband and I have never had to endure, personally, the kind of uncomfortable attention our darker-skinned children face. I would not offend any of my children by pretending otherwise. What we do know, almost as well as they do, is that some people will carry prejudice forever. Our job, as parents, is to recognize the reality of racism, and to be a sounding board for our children’s frustrations. I cannot resolve every encounter—nor would I want to—but I can listen, I can let them grieve a little, and I can try to teach. Marybeth Lambe, M.D., is a family physician and writer who lives on an organic dairy farm in Washington state.©2011 Adoptive Families. All rights reserved.

China Adoptions

2011-03-15T15:01:00.002-04:00

CAS received an email from the Joint Council with some exciting news about adoptions from China:

Date March 15, 2011
Regarding China Adoptions

Dear Colleagues,
As you may know, the CCAA has announced that single women may once again adopt in China beginning today, March 15, 2011. Following is the announcement we published earlier today via our website, blog, facebook and twitter.
Best wishes,
Tom

2011-03-11T11:32:00.002-05:00

The Whole Truth

Advice on revealing any difficult details you know about your children's adoption stories. by Rebecca Klein (follow this link below---GREAT article and definitely worth your time in reading)

http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1817

Adoption - Over-Stimulation in Adopted Children

2011-03-04T11:22:00.000-05:00

For those of you who have or who are in the process of adopting transracially....

2011-03-01T15:09:00.002-05:00

The Center for Adoption Support and Education presents a WEBINAR on

Building Self-Esteem and Racial Identity in Transracially Adopted Youth

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011
9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
We provide certificates of participation - just ask!

Dr. Leigh Leslie, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies specializing in race and gender issues, University of Maryland, Department of Family Sciences and Debbie Riley, C.A.S.E. C.E.O. will host this webinar. What do transracially adopted youth need for healthy racial identity development? What influences their ability to develop cohesive racial identity and positive sense of well-being? How can parents equip their children to cope with racial discrimination? The University of Maryland and C.A.S.E. have partnered to conduct cutting-edge research to address these important questions. In addition to exploring these answers, this webinar will include a review of preliminary research findings to help guide parents as they support their child's racial identity. Fee: $10 (partially funded by the Debra Steigerwaldt Waller Foundation for Adoption, Ltd.) **Please note that this webinar is in the evening: 9:00-10:30 p.m. and the time is Eastern Standard Time.

REGISTER NOW!

Watch and listen! Participants must use their telephone AND computer to both hear and see the presentation. Toll-free dial-in/online format enables parents to ask questions and address personal concerns during the workshop.

Toll-free number, web instructions, etc. will be emailed to you
1-day in advance of webinar, upon payment and registration confirmation. Please be sure to check your spam/junk mail for invitation!

REGISTER NOW!

Watch and listen! Participants must use their telephone AND computer to both hear and see the presentation. Toll-free dial-in/online format enables parents to ask questions and address personal concerns during the workshop.

Toll-free number, web instructions, etc. will be emailed to you
1-day in advance of webinar, upon payment and registration confirmation. Please be sure to check your spam/junk mail for invitation!

PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL WHEN ORDERING. C.A.S.E. CANNOT PROVIDE REFUNDS AS WE PAY THE HOSTING SITE FOR ALL REGISTRANTS IN ADVANCE.

We have webinars scheduled through June 2011!

All workshops and groups require pre-registration!
We provide certificates of participation - just ask!
For more information and to register, visit our Program Calendar on our website at www.adoptionsupport.org

The Center for Adoption Support & Education
4000 Blackburn Lane, Ste. 260
Burtonsville, MD 20866
caseadopt@adoptionsupport.org

New Post-Placement training package through Heart of the Matter Seminars!

2011-02-17T17:00:00.002-05:00

Purchase our most popular Post-Placement courses as a value-priced package!
Our popular, new Post-PlacementPackage addresses the three topics most requested by our clients in the months following their adoption.

Join us for:
Transitions, Developmental Challenges, or Just Regular Kid Stuff?
Discipline: Managing Your Child's Bid for Power
Understanding Trauma in Children

Purchase all three and save! .

Only $95 with package pricing! www.heartofthematterseminars.com

2011-02-15T09:13:00.000-05:00

Join Us!
Meet and greet for families of
children with special needs
Date: February 16th, 2011
Time: 10:30 - 11:30 am
Location: Alamance County
Partnership for Children
Family Support Network is interested in starting a moms’ group in Alamance
County. Come out and give us some
ideas about what would be helpful to you. Refreshments will be served. RSVP by February 14th.
For more information contact
Melisa Madden
Melisa@fsncc.org or
(336) 513-0063 ext. 122
Sponsored by:
Family Support Network of Central Carolina
Family Support Network of Central Carolina believes the greatest asset a child can have is a strong family. Our mission is to provide support, education and caring connections to those who have a child with special needs or born prematurely. Www.fsncc.org

The Racialization of Adoption

2011-02-10T07:16:00.001-05:00

Adoption is a powerful and emotionally potent act, for the birth mother and the prospective parents. The act of relinquishing a child to someone else and to take in a child, who is not biologically-related, is an incredible act of love and sacrifice. We need to foster an environment where people pursue adoption more and the public is educated about the beautiful stories that typify the adoption experience.

Often times, however, people are more apt to highlighting the negative stories and generalizing those rare instances as normal. People are also unaware that adoption is not, necessarily, an expensive process. Depending on the race of the child and type of adoption, the costs range from $0 to $40,000. Private adoptions of white infants (and international adoptions) can be quite costly. The variance in cost between African-American babies and other races is quite vast, sometimes costing less by tens of thousands of dollars. There are many black children in foster care that can be adopted through the state at no cost to the parent(s)¹. There are many grants and other financial resources available for adoptive parents. Tax credits are also given to encourage adoption.²

Until recently in Georgia (and still in many other states), one of the five factors listed as “Special Needs” adoptions was: being black³. Black children remain in foster care at higher rates than other races and are disproportionately represented (27% of those entering foster care are black even though black children comprise only 15% of the U.S. child population).⁴

There are a number of factors that influence this, but the main factor is race. We are a nation still so uncomfortable with the hue of our skin that we miss out on the ultimate act of racial reconciliation–loving a child of another race simply because they deserve to be loved. Same-race adoptions are beautiful as well as mixed-race adoptions. For some reason, however, with every diatribe about racial healing and better cultural understanding, battle lines have been drawn around adoption. As long as we are human, the evil of racism will always exist. But that should never stop us from endeavoring to rid it where it harms the most vulnerable among us–the welfare of children. We are all guilty of our own prejudices, our firmly held stereotypes, our lack of proaction to be more culturally competent (understanding others’ cultures), and the inability to admit any of it.

“Transracial adoptees do not lose their racial identities-they do not display negative or indifferent racial attitudes about themselves, and their families have as high a success rate as all other adoptees and their families.”

-Rita Simon, Leading Scholar who conducted 20 year longitudinal study, “The Case for Transracial Adoption”

There is an acute lack of awareness surrounding the act and process of adoption. Sometimes people just need a little education. The Radiance Foundation and countless other life-affirming organizations, through community events, conferences and media campaigns, are trying to raise the level of awareness of the need for adoption and for more to be involved. And although the expectation isn’t that every single parent/married couple should/can adopt, we can all play a role through our financial contributions, by volunteering at pregnancy resource centers, supporting birth mothers, and fighting material and spiritual poverty.

At the same time it seems some are more comfortable interacially adopting foreign children (and we need to be concerned about the plight of orphans globally), there is racial/political resistance to transracial adoption of black children that has been going on for decades, and it needs to be exposed. Groups like The National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) are rooted in black nationalist ideology and declare that “black children should never be placed in white homes for any reason.”⁴ They reinforced their 1972 Position Statement in 1994.⁶

They oppose the provision in the 1996 InterEthnic Placement Act that eliminates using race as a factor in adoption/foster care placement.⁷ Their advocacy of the prevention of out-of-home placement , including transracial adoption, is not in the best interest of children. So, instead of actively seeking qualified and loving prospective parents (of any race), African-American children then languish in foster care for 15 months or longer because there are simply not enough same race (and qualified) homes available for them. A new legislative push from large organizations including NABSW, Child Welfare League and its subsidiary Black Administrators in Child Welfare (which does not advocate any out-of-home placements but Kinship care–placement only with child’s relatives) focuses on more federal funding for guardianship.⁸ This subsidy pays a child’s relative, deemed a guardian by child welfare decision makers, who is not financially capable of providing for the child. Kinship care, according to the Government Accountability Office, in its 2007 report “African American Children in Foster Care”, is one of the major factors causing black children to remain in foster care at rates far higher than any other race.

Transracial adoptions (from foster care) have increased from 17.2% of all adoptions in 1996 to 20.1 percent in 2003,⁹ but the racial disparities in placement outcomes continues. So, is culture then preserved while the child awaits a family? Is ethnic identity more crucial than permanence? Contrary to the claims by groups like NABSW and Child Welfare League, studies show that transracially adopted children are just as well-adjusted as same-race adopted children. Leading Scholar, Rita Simon, has conducted one of the most cited, in-depth longitudinal studies on the issue. And her research shows that over 80% of transracial adoptees disagree with groups like the National Association of Black Social Workers.¹⁰

Too often, adoption and foster care are racialized to the detriment of the child, when they simply need a place to call home and someone to love them.

Footnotes

¹The Costs of Adopting: A FactSheet for Families. http://costs.adoption.com/articles/the-costs-of-adopting-a-factsheet-for-families.html

²Adoption Grants Part Two: http://transracial.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/adoption-grants-part-two

³GA Division of Child and Family Services: Definition of Special Needs. http://www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHS-DFCS/menuitem.8237042e9dbda3aa50c8798dd03036a0/?vgnextoid=561c1de5f6940010VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=7aba1de5f6940010VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCRD

⁴U.S. Government Accountability Office, “African American Children in Foster Care”, July 2007

⁵National Association of Black Social Workers: Position Statement on Transracial Adoption, 1972: http://www.uoregon.edu/~adoption/archive/NabswTRA.htm

⁶A Guide to The Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994 As Amended by the Interethnic Adoption Provisions of 1996. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/mepa94/mepachp2.htm

⁷U.S. Government Accountability Office, “African American Children in Foster Care”, July 2007. http://bit.ly/GAO_AA_fostercare

⁸Black Administrators in Child Welfare: Emphasis on Prevention. http://www.blackadministrators.org/about_prevention.cfm

⁹U.S. Government Accountability Office, “African American Children in Foster Care”, July 2007. http://bit.ly/GAO_AA_fostercare

¹⁰“Transracial Adoption Works, Says Leading Scholar.” http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/news/2006_fall/simon.htm

2011-02-08T11:15:00.001-05:00

4 Talking Tips for Parents who Adopt Outside of their Race

1. Talk about families. Let your child know that, although your family values people of other races and cultures, not all families do. “Some people are afraid of those who look different from them. Because of that, they might say and do mean things.”

2. Discuss racism early and often. Your child may not tell you that she has been harassed. To open discussion, bring up a racist incident in the news or something that happened in your neighborhood. “I hope if anything like that happens to you, you’ll share it with me. I may not know exactly what you’re experiencing, but we can learn together how to handle it.”

3. Explain that racism isn’t her fault. Tell your child that, while she may get teased about her hair or skin color, simply because it’s different, the child doing the teasing is the only one responsible for such behavior. “It’s a shame that some people do not know any better. I’m glad our family isn’t like that.”

4. Become an advocate. Even if you haven’t experienced racism yourself, you can help your child by understanding this: Racism is, ultimately, an attempt to define who belongs—and who doesn’t. Make yourself a credible resource on this topic. Talk with other parents of children of color, and with adults of color, read books, or seek a mentor. —DEBORAH JOHNSON

Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar

2011-02-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

Alliance Webinar Series

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.

You're Invited...

Speak UP! Becoming an Orphan Advocate in Your Church

Ideas and tips for engaging your church leadership and your church body in orphan care. Learn how to SpeakUP and get your church to listen.

Host Church: Oak Ridge United Methodist Church

Presenters: Patricia Merrit, Oak Ridge United Methodist Church
Casey Scheberl, Vision Trust

Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 Time: 2:00 PM Eastern

Each 60-minute webinar in this series will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide, covering key topics on adoption, foster care and/or global orphan care. Every webinar will be hosted by a local church orphan ministry and co-presented by one or more national experts on the subject matter. This pairing will deliver a combination of specialist information and resources alongside a “here’s how it works in a real church” perspective

2011-01-25T10:36:00.001-05:00

Inaugural Meeting of the

International Adoption Support Group
of Mecklenburg County

January 27th, 7:00 pm

Come meet other parents of internationally adopted children.
Find out what we all have in common
and how we can help each other.

The group will be guided by social workers experienced
with international adoption.

January 27 at 7:00 pm
13602 Carleen Way Drive.
Charlotte, NC 28213

Please RSVP to Karen at heidelberglion87@yahoo.com
or call 704-516-5788.
Feel free to contact Karen if you have any questions
or want further information about the group.

AMAZING adoption video!

2011-01-18T15:22:00.000-05:00

Heart of the Matter Seminars is offering country specific seminars

2011-01-06T14:58:00.002-05:00

In addition to their typical seminar courses, Heart of the Matters Seminars is now offering country specific seminars. There are three different courses designed to address issues associated with adopting from China, African countries, and Eastern European countries respectively. Each seminar is $35. Check theses courses out online at: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=l8avqvbab&v=001ZxTRMtTNNkgUedf2BsgetbvX4CynOZppixiObkbHwE7pr5Zebvtmb2zxju11keuujzgx37_m5-u_A-4k_d-FUcijWMyjJ6S_h24ENCMAoUj1deFf46dYZABetbXeB0S2jNkihgLCdfIwWPQn9XlFjqIK3IaF1IVCYiWEtRampuwZ3H63o2SV3tJgXhPgdTj9IgXe2le28ojEzxXZoHrd5A%3D%3D

Kerrie Roberts- No Matter What With Lyrics

2011-01-06T14:55:00.000-05:00

2010-12-22T14:08:00.000-05:00

NACAC Is Hosting Webinars on the Adoption Tax Credit

Please join us for one of following webinars of the U.S. federal adoption tax credit:
January 20 — 8 pm CST
January 24 — 6 pm CST
February 1 — Noon CST
Registration is $15 for NACAC members and $20 for non-members.

During these webinars, participants will learn the steps they will need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit, whether they adopted in 2010 or as far back as 2005. Josh Kroll will explain the credit, how it recently became refundable, and what parents need to do to take advantage of the credit. The session will focus on families who adopted children with special needs from foster care but will be applicable to all adoptive families as well.

Register for a webinar

Friday Quotes....

2010-12-17T13:45:00.000-05:00

Maureen Hawkins:
"Before you were conceived I wanted you,
Before you were born I loved you,
Before you were here an hour old,
I would give my life for you.
This is the miracle of life."

Fleur Conkling Heyliger:
"Not flesh of my flesh Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously My own.
Never forget for a single minute
You didn’t grow under my heart, But in it."

2010-12-16T11:18:00.000-05:00

If you are involved in a church or ministry that is passionate about orphan care/adoption, you may wish to consider attending this upcoming event in Rocky Mount on January 8, 2011. Also, please share this exciting opportunity with others who may be interested (perhaps churches, support groups, through blogs/emails etc).

Please join us and help spread the details of the event below! If you are unable to attend, please be in prayer that this event will be successful!

JOIN US ON JANUARY 8, 2011:
HIS HEART OUR HANDS orphan care/adoption ministry along with Englewood Baptist Church of Rocky Mount, NC is hosting HOPE FOR ORPHANS on January 8, 2011. This event is a group workshop experience on Orphans Ministry in your church. Your Church and the Orphan™ is a powerful, interactive, and fun one-day event that will bring together a group of passionate like-minded people from your church to pray, dream and learn about how God might want to use your church on behalf of the orphan. This informative, biblical, and hands-on group workshop experience will serve as a catalyst to help your church launch a ministry to orphans. $35 fee covers workshop, materials and lunch! Space is limited!
Register Today! By Internet: www.hopefororphans.org or By Phone: 1-800-358-6329

Speak up for those who cannot Speak for themselves... Prov 31:8a

2010-11-23T13:22:00.001-05:00

We are thrilled to announce the new Christian Alliance for Orphans'

RESOURCE LIBRARY

The Alliance Resource Library is designed to provide you with ready access to quality books, articles, DVDs, and other resources to help you grow effective, Christ-honoring adoption, foster care, and global orphan ministry.

We invite you to help build the value of the library by rating and commenting on resources, whether with positive feedback or critique.

This Library is designed to grow. Suggested resource additions can be submitted via email. Resources must be well-crafted and consistent with a Biblical worldview.

Special thanks to Caleb Medefind and the Alliance Church Orphan Ministry Initiative Council for countless hours of work in creation of the Library.

2010-11-17T11:32:00.000-05:00

On Monday, November 15, 2010, Congress passed the International Adoption Simplification Act which eliminates two barriers to the adoption of children in need. The Act remedies the requirement for needless and potentially dangerous vaccinations for internationally adopted children of American citizens. The Act also permits the adoption of older siblings between the ages of 16 and 18 years of age when a younger sibling is adopted.

The International Adoption Simplification Act is a major advancement in protecting the rights of orphaned children. Passage of this Act brings attention to the immediate needs of the thousands of orphans who are needlessly living without parental care, exposed to medically risky and unnecessary vaccinations and forced to remain institutionalized due to discrepancies in the law.

Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the bill’s sponsor, continues to be a strong advocate for orphaned children and first introduced the Act in July 2009. Her dedication to orphans and families is unwavering as evidenced by her commitment in ensuring passage of the Act. Her leadership combined with the uniquely bi-partisan nature of Congressional involvement in orphan issues demonstrates the universally accepted right of every child to a permanent, safe and loving family.

2010-11-04T09:30:00.002-04:00

Joint Council is proud to announce the launch of a new adoption health feature and web page on the CDC website. It is the CDC's hope that this is going to be the start of a resource that will grow and link to other groups at CDC who work on adoptee health. This will allow information to be accessed more easily.

The CDC welcomes any suggestions you might have on how to strengthen the site and encourage you to share it with your partners.

The CDC feature on adoption health can be found at www.cdc.gov/ (there is a little tab highlighting adoption health) which will then direct you the new International Adoption Web page www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/adoption/

2010-11-03T09:55:00.001-04:00

Dear families- we could use your HELP!!! CAS is looking for several volunteers who are willing to stand by displays at First Baptist Indian Trail (Indian Trail, NC)this Sunday and hand out information/represent CAS. Two volunteers will be needed before each serive: 8AM, 9:30AM, and 11AM. Please call CAS for more information- 704-847-0038 or email Jessica (Jessica@christianadopt.org). Thank you so much in advance!

In anticipation of CAS' 2010 Christmas Card (trust me, it is going to be ADORABLE), please email cas@christianadopt.org your physical address if 1) you have moved in the last year 2) you have never been on the CAS mailing list and would like to be. THANKS! :)

2010-10-26T14:05:00.001-04:00

Citizenship and Immigration Services Update

On November 23, 2010 the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will increase its fees for all immigration filings. The fees for I-600a/I-600 and I-800a/I-800 will increase to $720. Biometrics (fingerprinting) will increase to $85.

2010-10-07T13:50:00.002-04:00

A New Webinar From Adoption Learning Partners:

Food for Thought:

The impact of poor nutrition in early development. Tips and insights for adoptive parents to help children catch up and thrive.

Featuring Dr. Dana JohnsonWednesday, October 20, 2010, 7:00-8:00PM Central Time Q&A with Dr. Johnson: 8:00-8:30PM Central Time
Cost: $15 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

What are the impacts? What do we look for?
How can we help our kids now?

We all know the importance of prenatal and early nutrition. We also understand that it is likely our internationally adopted children have missed out on a fair amount of this key factor of development.

Join Dr. Dana Johnson, renowned international adoption physician, as he shares the results of his research on the common physical, cognitive and behavioral impacts of poor nutrition on international adoptees. He will give practical tips of what to look for in your child, what to ask your pediatrician to test for and how to help your child catch up and thrive both short and long term.

This webinar will share strategies and tips on:
· Understanding the impact of early nutritional deprivation
· Identifying signs of malnutrition in your child
· Having your child tested for nutritional deficiencies
· How to help your child catch up and thrive

Speaker:

Dr. Dana Johnson, MD PhD
Dr. Johnson is the Director of the Division of Neonatology and the Director of the International Adoption Clinic at the University of Minnesota. He has researched, published and lectured extensively on the effects of early institutionalization on growth, development and outcomes of internationally adopted children. He is a frequent expert speaker at worldwide conferences on issues relating to institutionalized children's health.

Wednesday, October 20, 20107:00-8:00 PM Central Time
Q & A with Dr. Johnson: 8:00-8:30PM CentralCost $15Register Now: click here

Can't Make The Date? All registrants for the webinar will receive access
to the recorded version after the event.

2010-09-30T10:38:00.002-04:00

Food for Thought:

The impact of poor nutrition in early development. Tips and insights for adoptive parents to help children catch up and thrive.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 7:00-8:00PM Central Time
Cost: $15 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

What are the impacts? What do we look for?
How can we help our kids now?

We all know the importance of prenatal and early nutrition. We also understand that it is likely our internationally adopted children have missed out on a fair amount of this key factor of development.

Join Dr. Dana Johnson, renowned international adoption physician, as he shares the results of his research on the common physical, cognitive and behavioral impacts of poor nutrition on international adoptees. He will give practical tips of what to look for in your child, what to ask your pediatrician to test for and how to help your child catch up and thrive both short and long term.

This webinar will share strategies and tips on:
· Understanding the impact of early nutritional deprivation
· Identifying signs of malnutrition in your child
· Having your child tested for nutritional deficiencies
· How to help your child catch up and thrive

Speaker:

Dr. Dana Johnson, MD PhD
Dr. Johnson is the Director of the Division of Neonatology and the Director of the International Adoption Clinic at the University of Minnesota. He has researched, published and lectured extensively on the effects of early institutionalization on growth, development and outcomes of internationally adopted children. He is a frequent expert speaker at worldwide conferences on issues relating to institutionalized children's health.
Wednesday, October 20, 20107:00-8:00 PM Central TimeCost $15Register Now: click here

2010-09-15T15:56:00.000-04:00

Is that My Birthmom on Facebook?: TONIGHT: Adoption Learning Partners is offering a webinar on children searching for birthparents using social networking. Concerned/Interested families can learn more at their website

2010-09-15T15:01:00.003-04:00

This November Joint Council will be participating in National Adoption Month in an unprecedented and unique way. Everyday in November, we will be highlighting the stories of those children throughout the world who have yet to be served by adoption, celebrate those children who have thrived in their adoptive family, and ask individuals to take small actions everyday to help children in need.

From today September 13, 2010 through October 15, 2010 Joint Council will be accepting stories from professionals, families and other concerned individuals who have seen the plight of children who live outside of family care and those who have gained permanency, safety and love through adoption. To submit a story, follow the directions below. The advocacy campaign will be one part of of Joint Council’s larger National Adoption Month Campaign, which hopes to encourage individuals to Be The Answer to the world orphan crisis. The idea from the campaign was generated by Joint Council staff following this post in last month’s Mbali’s Message and the Be The Answer blog.

Directions for submitting a story:
1. Email the story of a child who has yet to be served through adoption and/or a story of a child who has thrived in his/her adoptive family to Jason Cohn at betheanswer@jointcouncil.org by October 15, 2010
o Stories may be:
 Three minute video
 750 words, please include photos of yourself and the child
o If applicable, please include a release of information for each story submitted.
o If the child highlighted is living outside of family care, individuals are encouraged to use a pseudonym for the child and send photos with discretion and with the child’s safety in mind.
Questions regarding the campaign and submitting stories should be directed to betheanswer@jointcouncil.org

Joint Council looks forward to the community participating in this advocacy effort!

Rebecca Harris
Director of Programs & Services

2010-09-15T14:54:00.004-04:00

FamilyLife Today Broadcast

This week FamilyLife Today will be featuring several orphan ministry leaders in a two-part series, Caring for Orphans. Alliance member Hope for Orphans has had the privilege of helping hundreds of churches start orphans ministries over the past seven years. These two broadcasts will feature key orphan advocates and ministry leaders who have been pioneers in this movement, including local church orphan ministry leaders on Friday.

Listen Online

Find Broadcast on Local Station

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th:
Rocky Gill, Founder, Hope for 100 at Green Acres Baptist Church
Elizabeth Styffe, Director, HIV & Orphan Care Initiatives, Saddleback Church
Jedd Medefind, President, Christian Alliance for Orphans

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th:
Beau Fournet of Watermark Church in Dallas, TX
Jodi Lewis of Kentwood Community Church in Kentwood, MI
Jill Toth of Biltmore Baptist Church in Asheville, NC

Tune in on both days to hear what God is doing through churches all across the nation to bring His love to the fatherless, and how you can be a part of it. Please share with friends whose whose churches do not yet have an orphan ministry.

My Name is Life

2010-09-14T16:42:00.000-04:00

They Chose Me- an Adoption video

2010-08-31T15:27:00.000-04:00

2010-08-20T11:40:00.000-04:00

SIDS is on the increase; up 28% in 2008!!!

Protect your infants with the following suggestions:

• Place a child on their back to sleep; placement on the stomach prevents head movement causing re-breathing of exhaled carbon dioxide and suffocation
• Add a fan to the nursery to improve air circulation and reduce potential of SIDS and Carbon Monoxide poisoning; be sure it is up high and out of baby’s reach
• An overheated room can cause SIDS; set the temperature between 68 and 72 degrees
• Don’t use soft bedding such as sheepskins, pillows, bumper pads or quilts in a crib; a child can become entangled and suffocate; excessive items reduce the circulation of oxygen;
• Swaddle your baby in a blanket and place them on the crib mattress with no other toys or decorations in the crib

Family needed for 3 year old Filipino boy!

2010-07-21T11:47:00.003-04:00

Dear CAS friends and family-

We have become aware of a three year old Filipino boy who needs a family. There is a short summary of the child’s background and present condition below. If you feel that this child may be a fit for your family, please contact CAS and we will provide you with more information concerning his adoption. Attached are some photos. Thank you and have a blessed day!

DOB- 7/19/07

Upon admission, the child was 6 months old and weighed only 2.79 kilos. He was malnourished, had thin hair, was pale and very weak. He had a severe cough and cold and needed to be nebulized regularly in order to breath easily. He didn’t focus on anything and responded to very little. He didn’t cry. He continually pacified himself by sucking his thumb. The child was easy to feed as long as he was held. He child gained weight almost immediately. According to one pediatrician, the child most likely had a weak immune system due to neglect and prematurity.

The child has undergone an Otoacoustic Emission Test (OAE) twice. Once on October 29, 2008 and then again in January 22, 2009. Both results were “Refer”, which means that further testing was suggested to evaluate the hearing sensitivity of the child.

The child was also seen by a Child Neurologist on December 13, 2008, when he was 17 months old. The impression was that the child has Mild Global Developmental delay with Microcephaly and Celebral Palsy, spastic diplegia. The etiology of his neurological deficits was probably linked to prenatal and postnatal events.

The child just turned 3 years old. He is a happy child and is very active. He climbs up on the slide, he can kick a ball and can bend over without falling. He is not very agile and still walks somewhat spastically. He cannot run but can toddle quite fast. He can scribble with a crayon. He can be seen playing with any of the other children at any time. He is very social. He bangs blocks and other toys together. He can turn handles and open cupboards. He loves to eat and will always ask for food if someone has some. He feeds himself at mealtimes, his favorite food being bananas but he will eat all meals. He loves to play in the rain.

The child does not speak any words but makes sounds and uses body language to explain what he wants. He does not have any difficulty with comprehension and appears to understand all simple commands given to him. He will make a way to get attention whether it is by crying loudly or making noise so that whatever caregiver is on duty will notice him.

On May 18, 2010, The child was seen by a Developmental – Behavioral Pediatrician. The child has left hemiplegic type of cerebral palsy. His present abilities and limitations in motor function are best described by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level 1. He has alternating esotropia and presents global developmental delay based on his over-all delays in development.

The child is a sweet, smiling, happy child. Though he has some delays in his development, he does continue to grow and develop new skills. The child needs close supervision, stimulation and possible speech and physical therapy for his growth and development. Institutional care is not beneficial to the child since he has obvious special needs and there are concerns with regards to his speech and physical development that need to be addressed.

The child is recommended to be placed in a family where he would be the youngest. Siblings would be a benefit to him as he has developed close bonds with the children at the center. The family must be willing to accept the child with his physical challenges and possible developmental delays and be willing to give extra time and effort to help him develop to his full potential.

Ukraine...

2010-07-20T10:17:00.001-04:00

CAS has been asked to share the news that New Horizons for Children (newhorizonsforchildren.org) (in MA) has orphans from Ukraine, Latvia and Russia in the Carolinas with host families. If you know of anyone who may be interested in adopting a school-aged orphan, please let them know they can meet the children at Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius this Saturday, 7/24, at 3:30. They can talk to the host family and spend time with the child there and until she/he returns to Europe.

If someone is interested, please have them e-mail Jennifer Bolt at jennifernbolt@bellsouth.net or call her at 704-987-3680 (h) 704-490-8517 (M).

Help! I've Been Adopted by Brenda McCreight

2010-07-08T09:54:00.002-04:00

This wonderful book centers in on the thoughts and questions of children adopted at older ages, giving them-and the aduls who love them-isight into their experiences, and making sense of their sometimes challenging behaviors. This book guides kids ages 8-18, who were old enough to remember joining their families, in exploring their stories. It focuses on the feelings and adjustment problems that children and their families fac when children take place beyond preschool age.

Each of the book's eight chapters introduces a common challenge or dilemma (i.e. "I don't understand how I got here" or "This family isn't what I expected") and suggests questions for the child reader to discuss with his parents. The author, Brenda McCreight, is a therapist and mother of 14 (12 who were adopted) children.

This book can be bought on the Tapestry Books website for $15 (www.tapestrybooks.com).

Familes for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption

2010-06-30T14:35:00.005-04:00

Familes for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption

announces our

7th ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Focus on Education and Development: Where We've Come From...What Lies Ahead

October 15-16, 2010, Philadelphia, PA

In partnership with International Adoption Health Program and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

For conference information and to register on-line:

http://www.frua.org/resources/conference-info

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with other adoptive parents, professionals, and educators from around the country!

New this year - Teen Program: A one day program offering four unique workshops focusing on adoptive teen issues.

EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
September 10, 2010 to receive $25 discount

HOTEL RESERVATIONS DEADLINE FOR SPECIAL ROOM RATE: September 16, 2010

Updates on Russia!

2010-06-29T14:06:00.002-04:00

Joint Statement by the Presidents of the United States of America and the Russian Federation concerning Intercountry Adoption
We are convinced that all children have the right to grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. Many children throughout the world are deprived of this natural right.
Every year, tens of thousands of children find loving parents through adoptions, including international adoptions. We honor those who have the generosity to welcome adopted children, in particular from other countries, into their families.
However, tragic incidents involving children adopted between our countries caused by the adoptive parents underscore the importance of ensuring reliable protections for the rights, safety, and well-being of adopted children. We are committed to doing everything in our power to achieve this.
In this regard, we have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to conclude a legally binding bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of intercountry adoption. At our direction, experts from the United States and Russia have already been actively working on a draft, and they have informed us that they have made considerable progress in fulfilling this difficult task.
We will work together so that entry into force of this agreement as soon as possible would create an even stronger legal basis for adoption in the interests of children and families of both our countries.
###

Save the date!

2010-06-18T12:24:00.002-04:00

As summer arrives, CAS begins to gear up to the agency’s 8th Annual Golf & Walk Fundraiser. Briefly stated, CAS friends and families are invited to obtain sponsors to support their golfing or walking as a group at Highland Golf Community in North Charlotte or in their own community park or club house. The success of this fundraising event is that participants do not need to come to Charlotte to participate.

As plans are getting underway for the event on September 17th, volunteers are needed to serve as golf, walk and prayer captains to plan and implement this fundraiser to help underwrite the agency’s operating expenses. To learn more about the agency’s fundraiser, please call CAS and ask for Jessica or email her at jessica@christianadopt.org.

Please consider participating in this event and helping CAS to keep our adoption fees from increasing. This event also has a global impact, as ten percent of the total pledge amount will be given to underwrite children’s homes in Liberia and the Philippines.

Buy or Send a Frosty and Help a Child in Foster Care

2010-06-14T14:40:00.002-04:00

Join us for Wendy's Father's Day Frosty Weekend to benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Satisfy Dad's sweet tooth and give the whole family the satisfaction of helping the more than 123,000 children in the U.S. waiting for the love of adoptive families.

Treat it Forward

Wendy's will donate $.50 to the Foundation every time you spread the word through your social media at http://apps.facebook.com/TreatItForward.

Send Dad an E-card

Visit www.frostycard.com to create and send a customized Father's Day e-card. Wendy's will donate $.50 to the Foundation for every card sent.

Buy a Pin-up
Show the world you support the work of the Foundation by putting your name on a Frosty pin-up for $1.00 at participating Wendy's restaurants.

Enjoy a Frosty on June 19 - 20

Visit your local Wendy's restaurant during Father's Day Weekend, when Wendy's will donate 50¢ for every Frosty sold to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

Can't make it to Wendy's?

Donate now with our secure online form

New Useful Information from Family Life Today

2010-05-19T11:40:00.001-04:00

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Transracial adoptions: A 'feel good' act or no 'big deal'?

2010-05-19T11:17:00.002-04:00

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/05/06/transracial.adoption/index.html?hpt=C1

2010-05-10T17:37:00.002-04:00

Is Saying “Brown” OK? Lessons from Transracial Adoptive Parenting
Posted by Danielle Pennel on Apr 28, 2010 at 4:59pm

Not long ago, I was with some fellow moms, swapping kid stories. One of my friends said that she was embarrassed by something her daughter said in the local grocery store. Her 6-year-old girl had pointed to an African-American woman and told her mom, “Look at the pretty dress that brown girl is wearing.” The mom said she quickly told her daughter in a hushed yell that “You do not call someone ‘brown’!” She said that later she had a discussion with her child about not calling people by their skin color because it is wrong.

Some of the other moms who heard this story were nodding their head in agreement. One said she’d be floored if her child used “brown” to describe someone. Another said she’d be afraid others would overhear the child and assume that they were racist. I sat there quietly listening to all of them.

Then I spoke up with the opposite view. “I see nothing wrong with what your daughter said. I constantly have discussions with my kids about how their skin is brown and mine is white. I point out a lot of our differences, like our hair and eye color. I then explain that it doesn’t matter what color all of these things are, as we are all the same underneath. I would never tell them it’s wrong to use a color to describe skin color, because I want them to feel comfortable asking questions about people’s differences.”

The mom who originally told the story was surprised that I, the only one there with non-Caucasian children, wasn’t offended by her daughter’s words. “So, you wouldn’t be upset if you heard her ask why your kids are brown and you aren’t?” I honestly answered, “No. I’ve heard that question a lot from children about our family. I’m never offended when I kid talks that way. An adult on the other hand…”

The other moms admitted that they, too, thought I’d be upset if their children pointed out my children’s physical differences from my own by using “brown” to describe skin tone. All I could say was, “Well, it’s true. My kids are brown and I am white. I don’t see why a child can’t point that out and ask why we don’t look alike.”

Some of my fellow moms said that they are so worried about what is politically correct these days that they want to teach their children the proper words to say. I hope that, as a mom in a transracial family, my opinion gave their children some leeway in describing the world around them.

One of my favorite children’s books on this topic is Todd Parr’s It’s OK to be Different. The book addresses different body types, hair styles, clothing choices, and skin colors. Prior to each description, he writes, “It’s OK to…”. For example, some pages say, “It’s OK to have no hair,” and “It’s OK to be tall.” There’s even a page that says, “It’s OK to be adopted.” It uses language children can relate to. It doesn’t say, “It’s OK to be Hispanic,” as that is not a word (label) children use.

Children see brown skin on Hispanic people. So, if a child wants to use “brown” to describe someone, it doesn’t bother me. I recommended this book for the daughter who called the lady “brown” in the grocery store—and all kids. The book reinforces the idea that there are different colors of people, but it doesn’t make a difference, as everyone is the same inside. Plus, the book says that differences make people important and special. I especially like reading that part to my children and hope it’s sinking in with them.

Later, when I thought about this conversation, I was surprised that I, the one whose children may be confronted head-on with racism, precisely because of their skin color, was the most relaxed about using colors to describe people. I am not sure if that is how other moms like me would believe. But it’s OK to have different opinions.

Nighlight Christian Adoption Agency in SC is looking for families in their special needs China program

2010-05-10T17:30:00.001-04:00

The China special needs program, in which more than 500 children are on the Shared List are awaiting homes, is one of the most straightforward international programs. For those who are diligent in completing their paperwork, China is also one of the fastest programs in which to bring home a child-usually in about 9-12 months from the time that you send in your application. Yes, next year, you could have a child in your home.

Once your paperwork is logged into China, most likely you will receive a referral within a matter of days to a couple of weeks. This is true even for those who are seeking children with minor and correctable special needs. Although we have to always add the caveat that time frames can vary and we cannot always guarantee that you will be assigned a child as quickly as this, these are the time frames that we have been consistently experiencing with our families.

Not only is this special China program, which we call Children in His Image Program, one in which families have been able to adopt children quickly, it is also one of the most affordable programs.

The fees and expenses of the program total about $25,000-$30,000. If you consider the new generous tax credit/refund and adopt a child before December 31, 2011, the net cost to you could be as low as $11,830.

You could further reduce your costs if you could get your employer to count some of your pay-up to $13,170-as an adoption benefit. That income to you would not be federally taxed. If you earn under $182,520, you could receive the full adoption benefits tax free. So let's say that you are not taxed on $13,170 of your income-and save $1,500 in taxes. Then you add in the $13,170 that you could receive as a tax credit/refund, you could be getting back close to $14,670 in tax benefits and refunds. (To receive the $13,170 in credit/refund in addition to $13,170 in full employer-provided benefits, you would have to spend $26,340 on adoption fees and expenses.)

If you are fortunate enough to have an employer who provides outright adoption benefits, and you receive say $5,000, this would mean that you receive the $13,170 plus $5,000 in employer benefits for a total of $18,170. In fact, here in SC, state employees can receive up to $10,000 in adoption benefits when adopting a child with special needs and $5,000 for a non-special needs child. . For a SC state employee, your net cost of an adoption from China could be about $2,000!!

Other ways that you can offset the cost of an adoption is through fundraising and grants. If you were to receive about $5,000 through grants and fundraising efforts and save about $1,500 in taxes by having part of your salary used as tax-free employer-provided adoption benefits, you could further bring down the cost of your adoption by another $6,500. This means that the net cost of your adoption could come to about $5,330.

And now the news gets even better. Here at Nightlight, we are offering a $1,000 scholarship to the first 10 families who apply to the China Children in His Image Program by June 1, 2010. After you send in the free preliminary application (have link to free application), and then receive the green light to complete the full application, you will receive the $1,000 scholarship immediately.

If you want more information about this program, contact Lisa Prather, Assistant Director, at 864 268-0570.

At the end of 2006, the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) revised their criteria for prospective adoptive family applications, and these changes took effect in August, 2007. (When adopting a waiting child with special needs, CCAA will allow some flexibility within the following requirements.)

Married couples only
Both husband and wife between ages of 30 and 55 at time dossier goes to China (If you are more than 55 years old, there is some flexibility-especially if you are adopting an older child or one with more profound special needs.)
Physically and mentally healthy; interpreted by the CCAA as:
Neither applicant is currently taking psychotropic drugs
Neither applicant has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or above (The formula for finding the weight index is weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared. For example a man who is 5'9" tall, cannot weight more than 268 pounds.) If you have questions regarding the weight index, please call our office.
Net assets over $80,000
Minimum salary of $10,000 per family member (including child to be adopted)
At least a high school diploma or equivalent for both applicants
Married to each other at least 2 years (if either husband or wife is previously divorced, must be married to each other at least 5 years) at time dossier goes to China
No serious criminal record

If you think you do not meet the requirements of China, please do not rule out this program before first talking with us.

Crib Safety Update

2010-05-10T17:25:00.001-04:00

The Consumer Products Safety Commission says drop-side cribs generally have a tendency to be less structurally sound than cribs with four fixed sides; they are more prone to mechanical failure than similar designed fixed-side cribs and can contribute to the strangling or suffocation of a child. For more information, see childproofadvice.org.

Adoptive Families of America

2010-04-29T09:29:00.001-04:00

Adoptive Families presents the FITFTH ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST! Adoptive Families is a magazine with great information. They are looking for great portraits and candid photos to enter in their publications. The grand prize winners will win digital camera suites and deluxe photography packages and runners-up will win portrait packages. Check out this site for all the details! http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe621673706606797210&m=feef16767c6c03&ls=fdef15777261017575177871&l=fec11375776c027f&s=fe20107475600d797d1377&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2816767c640274751576

2010-04-26T19:01:00.000-04:00

Beyond Because They Waited: Live Discussion Forum

A live, online forum for adoptive parents to discuss the joys and challenges of parenting children adopted internationally or through foster care. Parents are encouraged to bring their questions, concerns and to also be ready to help other parents brainstorm parenting techniques. Each session will be centered around a specific topic (such as discipline, building attachment, race and culture issues, talking to children about adoption) but sessions will be loosely constrained so as to allow for free discussion between participants.

Beyond Because They Waited: Live Discussion Forum
1st and 3rd Wednesdays in May, June and July
10:00am Central Time
$30.00 (one time subscription fee for all 6 forums)

Webinar on Transracial Adoption

2010-04-22T11:44:00.002-04:00

An opportunity at C.A.S.E. (Center for Adoption Support and Education) to learn more! Love is Not Enough: Parenting in Transracial Adoption: Saturday, June 8th WEBINAR. This workshop will explore the special challenges faced by children, adolescents and parents in both domestic and international transracial adoption. Parents will learn how to help their children/teens with issues related to identity, self-esteem, peer relationships, and racism.

For more information or to register, http://www.adoptionsupport.org/cal/index.php

2010-04-12T16:41:00.003-04:00

As the sponsorship and adoption coordinator, I am thrilled to be returning to Liberia June 17th-26th, 2010 with a team of 16 Americans to serve at the mission schools and love on all of the children. Our goals are to run a VBS program, update records on the children for the sponsorship program, help with training and evaluating for self-sustaining endeavors like a bakery business and agriculture, and make some major repairs to their watermill so that it can provide water into the children’s dorms..What a joy it will be to carry letters and small gifts from the children’s sponsors back to them on this trip!

Would you be interested in joining the team of people who commit $40 a month to provide care for these children? Go to http://www.AfricanChildSponsorship.com to see information and photos of children who are available for sponsorship and to sign up.

In addition, if you are interested in collecting some of the supplies we will take to give out to the children during the June trip, you can sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/liberia1

Thank you for being part of what Christian Adoption Services is doing for the children of Liberia!

With joy,

Angel Rutledge

CAS Liberia Adoption and Sponsorship Program Coordinator

Free Tax Credit Webinar April 8th!

2010-04-07T10:07:00.001-04:00

Adoption Tax Credit
By John M. Hine, Esq. and Laura Beauvais-Godwin

Great news: The adoption tax credit has been extended for one more year, has increased, and you could get a tax refund!!

The Adoption Tax Credit has been extended another year, and starting this year, it has increased to $13,170. So if you adopt this year or next, you can receive not only a tax credit of $13,170 but for the first time, the tax credit is refundable. Except for the increase in the amount of credit you receive and the fact that the tax credit is refundable, the previous rules remain essentially the same.

What this means to you, the adoptive families:

The adoption tax credit will not sunset on December 31, 2010; it has been extended to December 31, 2011.

You may apply up to $13,170 of your adoption expenses toward your federal taxes when you file your 2010 or 2011 taxes, depending on the year that your adoption was finalized.

If you do not receive the full $13,170 in tax credit, you may be getting money back from the IRS for your adoption expenses. Yes, money back. If your tax liability for the year of your adoption is less than the amount of credit you are applying for, the IRS will refund the portion of the unused credit. This means you could receive some or all of the balance as a refund on your federal taxes. The Earned Income Credit is an example of another refundable tax credit.

What if I adopt 2 children? Do I get double the tax credit/refund?

If you adopt two children, you could have a tax credit up to $26,340 if your total expenses came to $26,340 or more. It is important to note that if your income is too high, you could be phased out of the tax credit. However, if your income is low enough, and you paid $26,340 or more in adoption related expenses, you could get a tax credit and a refund. If you adopt three children, the credit/refund could be as high as $39.510, as long as your adoption-related expenses are that high.

This means that if you adopted two children and the adoption fees and expenses came to $30,000, and your federal tax liability was $7,000, you would receive the $7,000 as a credit against your liability; in addition, you could receive the remaining $19,340 back in a refund from the IRS even though you did not pay that in taxes.

What if my employer provides adoption benefits?

If your company has employer-provided adoption assistance, you can receive up to $13,170 in tax-free income. Also, your employer can reduce your salary to pay the adoption benefit so that you can receive tax-free income. This is even more attractive this year because, for the first time, you do not have to pay a lot in taxes to really see the benefit of the credit because you would get a refund for what you do not get in a tax credit.

So if your adoption expenses, including all agency/attorney fees, come to $30,000, and your employer gives you $10,000 as an employee benefit, which is tax-free, and you pay $3,000 in federal income tax, then you could offset your tax liability with $3,000 from the tax credit; you could then receive the remaining $10,170 as a refund. That means that you receive in this scenario $20,170 in employer benefits and a refund plus $3,000 in a tax credit.
We encourage you to talk with your employer, who may not normally offer adoption benefits, to consider providing this benefit to you. You are permitted to reduce your salary by up to $13,170 and instead be given this benefit as non-taxable income. So if your adoption fees and expenses come to $28,000, and your employer gives you $13,170 in tax-free income, you will most likely save in taxes owed overall to the State, to social security, and Medicare as well as to the federal government. If you are adopting siblings, the employer-provided benefits can double or triple, based on the number of children you are adopting. In addition to receiving tax-free income, you can also receive up to $13,170 as a tax credit and/or refund for your remaining adoption expenses.

If your company is the rare employer who provides more than $13,170 in adoption benefits, then the remaining benefit over $13, 170 is taxable. So if you receive $15,000 in adoption benefits, you will have to pay taxes on the $1,830.

When is a family’s income too high to get the tax credit?

As of last year, the credit began to phase out once a taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income (AGI) reached $182,180. The credit completely phased out at a modified AGI at $222,180. This means that you cannot claim the credit or employee benefit exclusion at all once your modified AGI is $222,180.

Both the amount of the credit and the phase out are adjusted for cost of living increases. Please speak with your local tax professional for the exact amounts based on the timing of your adoption.

What about failed adoptions?

If you adopt domestically and the adoption fails, then you can take the adoption tax-credit the year after your adoption has failed. So if this year (2010), you are in the process of adopting domestically, and spend $7,000 on adoption related fees and birth mother living expenses and the birthmother changes her mind, you can take the tax credit of $7,000 when you file your 2011 taxes in 2012. If you pay, for example, $3,000 in federal income taxes, you may be able to receive the other $4,000 as refund from the IRS. Of course, you have to wait until 2012 to receive those funds.

What about adopting children with special needs?

The special provisions for those adopting children with special needs who pay minimal or no adoption related fees may still be eligible for the tax credit if the adopted children are placed through social services or an agency with a contract with social services.

Join us for a free webinar on April 8, 2010. We will discuss the new tax credit as well as other ways to help finance and reduce the expenses associated with your adoption.
_____________________________________________________

John M. Hine is a solo practitioner in Greenville, SC whose practice focuses on Complex Estate Planning and Tax Law. Upon earning his Juris Doctor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, he went on to receive a Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law.

John M. Hine
The Hine Law Firm, LLC
Post Office Box 155
Taylors, South Carolina 29687

Laura Beauvais-Godwin, MPH, is the director of Nightlight Christian Adoptions in SC.

Special Note: The Hine Law Firm, LLC is in no way affiliated with Nightlight Christian Adoptions. This content is intended to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice in any way. As with any legal or accounting advice, consult with your attorney and accountant about your personal situation.

Good News on the Adoption Tax Credit

2010-03-31T09:41:00.001-04:00

Federal Tax Credit: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html

NC State Tax Credit: http://www.dornc.com/taxes/individual/adoption.html

Good news for adoptive families from the health care bill just signed into law March, 2010. Included in the bill were favorable changes to the Adoption Tax Credit. Our partners at Joint Council for International Children's Services summarize the changes as follows:

The maximum credit was increased from $12,150 to $13,170
The credit is extended through December, 2011.
The credit was made refundable. If a family has no tax liability, the IRS will refund the amount due.

The Connected Child Conference by Dr. Karyn Purvis

2010-03-01T16:26:00.001-05:00

Friday, March 12, 2010
Calvary Baptist Church - West Campus
155 Commerce Drive
Advance, North Carolina
Registration Information
This workshop is open to everyone and will be designed for adoption and social work professionals and will include presentations by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. Gottfried Kellermann.

Conference/Event information (downloadable pdf)

Saturday, March 13, 2010
Calvary Baptist Church - West Campus
155 Commerce Drive
Advance, North Carolina
Registration Information
This workshop is open to everyone and will be very useful for families, professionals and anyone interested in the information that Dr. Karyn Purvis has researched and will be presenting.

Call to Act: Families for Orphans Act

2010-02-18T13:16:00.001-05:00

On January 12 in the course of only 30 seconds, thousands of children joined the hundreds of thousands Haitian children already living without a permanent and safe family. These children became part of a global crisis – an estimated 30 million children growing up without parents - vulnerable to slavery, prostitution, gangs, exploitation, and trafficking. Yet our government has no focus on finding families for orphaned children worldwide.

We should have acted yesterday…we must act now.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee have before them The Families for Orphans Act; a bi-partisan bill that would create a State Department office and more importantly a “Champion for Orphans”. This Champion and the Office would build capacity in countries to enable families to raise their children at home or be adopted by loving parents first in their own country or else in another.

Growing up in a family is a basic human right. The United States has a rich and successful history of protecting such rights all over the world. When we have stepped forward to provide leadership in an area of great social need, the difference has been measurable. The orphans of the world need this type of leadership and they need it now.

Four Things You Can Do?

1. Let Your Voice Be Heard

Call or e-mail to your Members of Congress asking them to become Co-Sponsors of the Families for Orphans Act. You can find your Representative at www.house.gov and your Senators at www.senate.gov. Feel free to use the following text as a guideline:

“As one of your constituents I am requesting that you support the “Families for Orphans Act” by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the legislation now. We would be better prepared to respond to the needs of orphans in Haiti if the leadership it calls for was already in place. We ask that you stand up for the millions of children around the world growing up in orphanages without the love and support of a permanent family. For information on becoming a Co-Sponsor, please contact Senators Landrieu or Inhofe or Representatives Watson or Boozman.”

2. Demand Action

Call or email the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Ask them to pass the Families for Orphans Act.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Phone: (202) 224-4651
Chairperson’s Email: click here

House Foreign Affairs Committee Phone: (202) 224-4651
Chairperson’s Email: click here

3. Speak with One Voice

Sign the Families for Orphans Act petition. To sign click here.

4. Get The Word Out

Have a blog? A Facebook page? Do you Tweet? How about an email account? Send this Call To Action to those who care about children.

Haiti....

2010-02-03T14:33:00.002-05:00

Taxpayers who make donations to charities supporting Haiti earthquake relief can choose to claim the deduction in 2009. The donation must be made between January 11th and February 28th in order to accelerate the deduction.

Heart of the Matter Training

2010-01-27T13:31:00.000-05:00

Check out our all new Race and Culture piece . . .

To save $5 purchase by February 12th!

Race and Culture

A new look at this important topic! Explore the concepts of race and culture as it relates to adoption and foster care. This one hour course, included in the new, online version of the Because They Waited education system, discusses topics such as addressing racism, looking at culture in terms of larger culture and sub-cultures, talking with your child about race and culture, white privilege and more!

Complete this recorded course on your schedule for only $10 (with $5 coupon.)

Register now!

FEBRUARY 2010
webinar calendar and topics

February 3, 2010, 10:00am cst

Transitions, Developmental Concerns or Just Regular Kid Stuff????

This one hour webinar is designed for parents and agency staff. The topic assists parents and professionals in thinking about adoption issues in both the short term (transition to home) and the long term, as well as sorting out "regular kid stuff" behavior from actual adoption related concerns. CE certificate available!

$15.00

February 18, 2010, 1:00pm cst

Managing Your Child's Bid for Power - Package

Includes the recorded course and one live webinar discussion group on the topic.
This one hour recorded course is designed for parents and agency staff. Learn parental responses that help with the prevention of power struggles and management techniques for exiting the power struggles we slip into. CE certificate available!

$25.00

February 23, 2010, 7:00pm cst

Sensory Integration At Home

This one hour webinar is for parents and agency staff. Explore symptoms of sensory integration and what they might look like in children of different ages and in different degrees of severity. Discuss the role of occupational therapy and what to expect during the assessment process. Most importantly, learn ways to promote a rich sensory diet at home that will promote healthy development regardless of whether the child experiences diagnosable sensory integrative dysfunction or not. CE certificate available! $15.00

March 1, 2010, 10:00am cst

Do overs: The Gift of Re-Parenting

This one hour webinar for parents and professionals assists participants in meeting their child at their true developmental age and parenting accordingly. Gain a deeper understanding of how re-parenting can benefit the child who waited and what it looks like in everyday life. Generate re-parenting ideas with presenters and other participants. $15.00

Register now!

2009-12-22T18:06:00.000-05:00

Don't Miss the 11th Annual "A Home for the Holidays" Adoption Special on CBS

December 23 at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST or 7:00 pm CST/MST

"A Home for the Holidays" is presented by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Children's Action Network, and sponsored by Wendy's. This heartwarming holiday special brings together all-star talent and shares the joy of adoption. Now in its 11th year, the special will feature Faith Hill (pictured) and include performances by Shakira, Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood. Nia Vardolos and Jenna Elfman are among the celebrities who will present moving stories of families formed through foster care adoption and of children still waiting to be adopted.

New lifebook for children ages 5-10

2009-11-17T12:21:00.002-05:00

A lifebook captures the needed facts about birth parents, health history and provides a therapeutic grounding for foster and adoptive children.

Adoption World Specialties has been a trusted resource for adoption life publications for sixteen years. As such, we wanted to create a full-color lifebook that not only captures the needed facts about birth parents, health history, etc., but it also provides a therapeutic grounding for foster and adoptive children.

Social workers have been searching for a life book that engages children and gets them to share their feelings. The use of life books can be one of the most important data gathering and therapeutic tools available to social workers. Foster and adoptive parents can use life books to help kids work through problems and promote attachment.

My Growing World is full of whimsical artwork and fun-loving characters created by Lucy Cook Taylor. The images capture a child's interest and the thought-provoking stories and questions by Kat Carroll provide the bibliotherapy foster families can use to connect with the children.
Our new book targets ages 5 to 10. It starts with a chapter entitled, "I'm the Star," which concentrates on the child's emotional well-being. It helps them discover and understand feelings about how and why things happen in their lives. Later chapters delve into family history and pertinent data like health history. Sprinkled throughout the book are fun activities like mazes and coloring pages that keep the child's interest. There are also family activities to foster togetherness and cooperation.

My Growing World is a tool created for both professionals and individuals who want an up-to-date lifebook that today's kids can relate to.

Imaginative, entertaining, thought-provoking and therapeutic all in one book.

Find us at: http://e2ma.net/go/2569222567/2346477/88009789/25783/goto:http:/adoptionworld.net/adoption_books.php

2009-10-22T17:12:00.001-04:00

“I lived in an orphanage for the first eight years of my life. By the time I was eight, it never crossed my mind that I would ever live anywhere else. But then a missionary family came and spoke up for me with their friends back home. As a result, a couple came forward and became my mom and dad.”

Proverbs 31:8 commands us to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” This young woman’s life illustrates what can happen when we do.On Orphan Sunday, November 8, Focus on the Family, Show Hope, and Hope for Orphans, a ministry of FamilyLife, will join together to speak up for over 140 million orphans around the world. Listen live to Grammy award-winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman in a special acoustical performance, and to FamilyLife President, Dennis Rainey and Focus on the Family President, Jim Daly as they pour out their hearts for over 140 million orphans and challenge the Body of Christ to respond.

We want to invite you and your church to join with us via free webcast in this very special live event from Nashville at 4 PM CST (2 PM Pacific, 3 PM Mountain, and 5 PM Eastern). To learn more about this event and how to participate, as well as other ways to engage your church in Orphan Sunday, visit CryoftheOrphan.org today.

2009-10-22T17:10:00.002-04:00

If you have a desire to help orphans find their forever families, but don’t feel the calling to adopt, this meeting may be for YOU !

Christian Adoption Services is holding a planning meeting for implementing a “Host-to-Adopt” Program in July 2010 for orphaned Filipino Children. The children who have been pre-selected for the Program range from 7-14 years of age including two sets of two siblings who are legally cleared for adoption.

Join us on October 29th at 7 PM at the Town and Country Suites, 2001 Mt. Harmony Church Rd. in Matthews ( Get directions ) for an overview of the need of orphans in the Philippines and the strategies that will help them have Christian families to call their own. Please register your intentions to attend by calling CAS at 704-8847-0038 or sending an e-mail to cas@christianadopt.org

Jim Woodward

CAS Executive Director

Come celebrate National Adoption Month with us on November 14th

2009-09-28T14:50:00.001-04:00

On November 14th we will be celebrating National Adoption Month with families who have adopted, are in the process to adopt through CAS or who are looking for more information about adoption. Information will be coming to you via email or mail soon and extended family or friends are more than welcome to attend. Those who have recieved a baby in the past year will be able to participate in our "baby parade" and introduce their new blessings to all of the other families. This even will also be held at Camp Walter Johnson. To RSVP please email the office at cas@christianadopt.org

Orphan Sunday 2009--Your help is needed!

2009-09-15T09:21:00.002-04:00

As staff members of Christian Adoption Services, we have the privilege of witnessing one of the happiest moments on earth - the moment when a child comes home to their forever family. While it is heartwarming that CAS is able to facilitate the placement of so many children, there are many more children around the world who have never known the love of a family, and sadly may never. The estimated number of children who are orphaned today is 145 million. This number seems overwhelming, but I'm excited to share with you a way that you can DO something to help.

The Christian Alliance for Orphans, in partnership with Cry of the Orphan, has designated November 8, 2009 as Orphan Sunday, and is working towards a goal of 1000 orphan awareness events to be held across the United States. Each state has a State Coordinator working as a contact for those holding these events. I will be serving as one of 3 state coordinators for North Carolina, and would LOVE to hear from those of you who would like to get involved. Please contact me if you would like to host an orphan awareness event on November 8th.

This may seem a long way off, but it's not too early to start praying about what God might have you do. Your event can be large or small - it could be as simple as holding a prayer session in your living room, placing an insert in your church bulletin or showing a video to your Sunday School class. There are even ways that you can get involved specifically with CAS. Many ideas and resources can be provided, but willing volunteers with a heart for orphaned children are needed!For more information on this exciting event, visit http://www.orphansunday.org/.

Please contact me with any questions or to volunteer as an orphan awareness event host. Please also feel free to pass this information on to your family and friends who may be interested in participating. I look forward to hearing from you!!

Isaiah 1:17 "Defend the cause of the fatherless..."

Jennie Eggleston

orphansundaync@gmail.com

704-564-0769

Joy of Adoption - Facts

2009-08-28T09:28:00.001-04:00

Families needed for Filipino children....

2009-08-20T11:42:00.001-04:00

We have recently received news that the Inter-Country Adoption Board in the Philippines has lowered the age of adoptable children to 24 months and up. This is open to adoptions of either gender. In April they had raised it to 35 months, but they have brought it back down. If you or anyone else you know may be interested in adoptions from the Philippines please have them contact CAS by email (cas@christianadopt.org) or by phone (704-847-0038). Thanks and have a wonderful day!

www.orphansdeservebetter.org

2009-08-14T18:42:00.001-04:00

Need & Response

U.N. estimate of the number of orphans in the world today: 145 million
Number of children in the foster care system in the United States: Approximately 500,000
Number of children in the foster care system waiting to be adopted: Approximately 130,000
Number of caring adults it takes to make a lasting impact in the life of an orphan: 1

Consequences of Adoption

The fears fanned by the movie Orphan reflect natural concerns many parents have regarding the long-term impact of adoption. How will adopted kids turn out? How would adoption affect our family?

Adopted children and their futures vary as much as biological children do. But studies show definitively that the fears stoked by a movie like Orphan are not supported by the data. In fact, the opposite is most often true.

An expansive 1994 study by the Search Institute comparing adopted teens to other teens found that:

Adopted teens scored higher on indicators of well-being such as school performance, friendships, volunteerism, self-esteem and optimism.
Adopted teens scored lower on indicators of high-risk behavior such as depression, alcohol use, vandalism, and police trouble.
Compared to their non-adopted siblings, adopted teens showed no significant difference in their perception of similarities between themselves and adoptive parents in terms of interests.
Children adopted transracially showed no differences in terms of identity formation and self-esteem, attachment to parents, or psychological health.
Many other studies have reached similar findings. These include:
Adopted children are well-integrated into their families and schools and show good psychological outcomes. There are few differences between children who have been adopted and their non-adopted peers (Palacios and Sanchez-Sandoval, 2005)
Long-term outcomes are positive for adopted children, and generally show little or no difference compared to non-adopted children (Benson, 2004).
The vast majority of adopted children show behavior patterns and emotional and academic adjustment very similar to those of non-adopted children (Palacios and Sanchez-Sandoval, 2005, Vrand and Brinich, 1999, Brodzinsky, 1987).
Numerous studies indicate that adoptive parents report high levels of satisfaction with their adoption (Barth and Brooks, 2000).
People who were adopted fare significantly better than those children who remain in negligent, abusive birth families, or in foster care or institutions (Maughan et al., 1998, Brodzinsky et al., 1998).
If adopted individuals did experience adoption-related struggles, most of these struggles significantly diminished or disappeared by young adulthood (Feigelman, 1997).
People who were adopted reported more confidence in their judgment than non-adopted persons, viewed others more positively, and saw their parents as significantly more nurturing, comforting, and protectively concerned and helpful (Marquis and Detweiler, 1985).

With thanks to the National Council for Adoption’s Consider the Possibilities: Adoption Liaison Workbook for an excellent list of adoption research.

2009-08-14T18:40:00.000-04:00

As you may be aware, Joint Council has been working with Dr. Dana Johnson and other stakeholders including Quad A, NCFA, and EACH as well as Congressional Offices, on the issue of the CDC TB protocols. Together we have actively advocated with the United States Dept of Homeland Security, the U.S. Dept of State Office of Children's Issues and the Center for Disease Controls and Prevention on the new TB protocols. However, at this time no positive change has been made by the CDC.

As each day passes, more and more children and families are affected by this issue. Joint Council is currently aware of three families who have been affected by the new protocols. In an attempt to gain support and advocacy on this issue in boarder terms, Joint Council has launched a petition requesting that the CDC change its protocols and more appropriately protect the health of America. The petition can be found at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/build-families-not-barriers.html. We encourage you to sign the petition and distribute it widely. Through online social networking, the petition has gained over 1,600 signatures in only a few days.

Additionally, Joint Council will soon publish a Summary Report, which details the TB protocols impact on children and families. We expect to publish this report by week’s end. Upon your receipt of the Summary Report, please take a moment to review the information and distribute widely.

2009-07-23T15:55:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends and Families,

Anshula has recently come into an orphanage. She is four years old and alone.
Where should she spend her childhood? In an orphanage? In temporary foster
care? Or in a permanent and loving family?

The answer should be obvious: a safe, permanent and loving family.
Unfortunately, the U.S. government and many aide organizations do not seem to
agree. In fact, the U.S. sometimes spends millions of dollars, ensuring just the
opposite. And while beloved organizations such as UNICEF keep millions of children alive, many believe it is better for children to live in temporary foster care than in a permanent family. The children of ourworld need your help to make a change. They need your help to live in a permanent family.

As a founding member of the Families For Orphans Coalition, Joint Council is proud to announce that the first step in making this much-needed change is upon us. In a bi-partisan effort, landmark legislation was introduced into Congress, which will ensure that U.S. government programs, policies and funding are directed towards a singular goal: a permanent family for every child.

The Families For Orphans Act (Senate Bill 1458 and House Bill 3070), sponsored by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) along with Representatives Diana Watson (D-CA) and John Boozman (R-AR) demonstrates our collective commitment to the millions of children living outside of permanent parental care and proactively address a global gap in the most basic of human rights - the right to a permanent family.

While the introduction of the legislation is an important first step, there is much more to be done. Now we must ensure that the Families For Orphans Act becomes the law of the United States. To do this, your voice is needed. Speak for those to cannot speak for themselves by supporting the Families For Orphans Act and joining our Call To Action.

What can you do?
Sign the Families For Orphans petition, make three simple phone calls, and get the word out! Here are the details...
1. Sign our Petition! Sign the Joint Council Families for Orphans Petition. The Petition will be delivered to the U.S. Congress
2. Call Congress!
On July 28th, 29th, and 30th, call your three Members of Congress (two in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives).
You can find your Representative at http://www.house.gov/
You can find you Senators' at http://www.senate.gov/
Ask to speak with the Legislative Director or Chief of Staff. For maximum effect, we are asking you to make these calls within this 72-hour window!
3. Get the word out!
Send this email to friends and family. Post to your Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blog or website
What should you say or write to your Members of Congress? This is an issue that is critical to children in need, so speak from your heart. Tell them why ensuring more children living in families is so important to you! Ask your Senators and Representatives to become a Co-Sponsor of the Families for Orphans Act.

Please feel free to use the following text as a guideline when speaking with your Members of
Congress.

"As a constituent of we are requesting that you
support the Families For Orphans Act by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the legislation. For
information on becoming a Co-Sponsor, please contact Senator Mary Landrieu, Senator
James Inhofe, Representative Diane Watson or Representative John Boozman. Thank you
for representing your constituents by becoming a Co-Sponsor of the Families For Orphans
Act (Senate Bill 1458 and House Bill 3070)."

2009-07-16T16:26:00.001-04:00

Here is Our New Wiser Family DVD Bonus Offer

Wiser Family DVDs are priced at just $7.50 each in a set of 4.($30 for the 4 DVD series)

With your order we will also include an additional Free Meet The Wiser Family DVD for you to give to a friend. As an extra bonus you will also receive a beautiful card with the powerful message Don't Worry! Wiser Family DVDs could be oneof the greatest gifts you will ever give to that special boy or girl. Through these exciting Bible stories and songs, children will learn God is a good God,and that He loves us very much. They will discover why Jesus was born in a manager and that He wants to be our very special friend. All Wiser Family DVDs have a 30 day money back guarantee and carry a Free lifetime replacement policy. Over 25,000 churches from most major denominations have sold, accepted, used or endorsed Wiser Family DVDs.

2009-06-29T14:36:00.001-04:00

God's promise to you today whether you are childless or not....

"He gives childless couples a family, gives them joy as the parents of children. Hallelujah!" (Psalm 113:9, The Message).

RACE MATTERS!

2009-06-22T16:59:00.002-04:00

Teens need their parents' guidance in forming their racial identity. By Debbie B. Riley, M.S.

My parents were not prepared to raise a child of another race," says Sarah, 32, adopted transracially in the U.S. "All they had was unconditional love and guts. It was a start, but what they didn't know hurt us both."

What did Sarah's parents not know? They didn't know that, while race did not matter to them, when Sarah went out into the world, it mattered a lot. That's why the first, and most important, challenge of transracial parenting is to overcome the tendency to equate unconditional love with being color-blind.

Creating an Identity

The teen years are the time for identity formation. Identity is the basis of self-esteem, and a positive identity helps a young person deal with the world around her. Identity formation involves determining how one is like, and different from, parents, and an adoptee must figure out how he is like, and different from, two sets of parents. Having limited information about birth origins makes the task harder--especially if there are racial elements in the mix. Imagine the additional challenges faced by African-American, Asian, and Hispanic teens who are being raised by white parents.

Parents must learn all that they can about what it is like to walk in their children's shoes--especially as teens begin to spend time away from the family. What is it like to be the sole minority person in a classroom or at a friend's party? How does racism manifest itself? What are the positive and negative racial stereotypes that your child will face? Even if you thought about such things before bringing your child home, it's time to think again. Read books and magazines, research on the Internet, and attend support groups and workshops.

Supporting Your Teen

Caucasian parents raising a child of another race must maintain open communication about their child's adoption story, the reactions of others to their family, and the positive and negative racial biases in our society. Make your home a place where such topics may be discussed safely, and remember that you may need to be the one who initiates these conversations.
Here are some steps that parents can take to promote their teen's positive racial identity:
Make it a priority to enroll your teen in a multiracial school, and join multiracial religious institutions and other social organizations.

Provide opportunities for your teen to interact with role models who share her racial background. Find doctors, tutors, and coaches who share your teen's heritage.
Develop friendships with people of different races, and encourage your teen to develop such friendships, as well.

Assume that your teen will face some racist comments and situations, and help her prepare responses to them. Provide your teen with everyday experiences--beyond Chinese New Year or Cinco de Mayo parties--so he will see beyond the stereotypes of what it means to be a member of his race.

DEBBIE B. RILEY, M.S., is executive director of The Center for Adoption Support and Education, in Silver Spring, Maryland, and coauthor of Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens (C.A.S.E.).

Figuring It Out

In Black Baby White Hands: A View from the Crib, Dr. Jaiya John writes that his father was asked by an African-American man, "How are you all going to teach this child all of the things that a Black child needs to know to grow up in a society so strongly aversive to Black people?" His father replied that he would try to teach his son what his own father had taught him, and "hopefully, that will provide him the tools and strength of character to figure out the rest on his own." John says that he thought to himself, "How, exactly, was I supposed to figure the rest out on my own?"

Go buy a Frosty on Father's Day Weekend!

2009-06-18T16:22:00.000-04:00

Join us for Wendy's Father's Day Frosty Weekend.

All proceeds support the work of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to find loving, adoptive families for the 129,000 children waiting in U.S. foster care.

Send Dad an E-card
Visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102605983789&s=28508&e=001e8H40TWnGQ7cfxEcNWfmXv2OB_Wr_LVSOL-rea1VGhyt1aLkXheqkLKzCj6oUrADvxhvYPVfB0AShlR9oP0HfqlP6_oNmLw9xgDEgPFgmCZ_JtZ8PAnuGA== to create and send a customized Father's Day e-card. Wendy's will donate $.25 to the Foundation for every card sent.

Buy a Pin-upShow the world you support the work of the Foundation by purchasing a Frosty pin-up for $1.00 at participating Wendy's restaurants.

Enjoy a FrostyPurchase any Frosty product on Father's Day weekend (June 20-21) and Wendy's will donate $.50 to the Foundation.

Spread the Word
Forward This Message Subscribe to Our E-News Join Us

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102605983789&s=28508&e=001e8H40TWnGQ7WrVYPjU1DQAU3-iVPQI8b9IV7v-e1HFKtCpItzRkmbhsHyFr4W8KK428WfVMgEAC6lA_ZGtXhBL476MFuYCf-ZW8PW_Uxe27X7ubvKnWDCGCSPTCtRtYynRx9nxE-OyUB3RY8MaAWtQ==
1-800-ASK-DTFA (1-800-275-3832)

FREE online adoption magazine from Weaving Families Adoption Ministry

2009-06-03T16:00:00.003-04:00

Weaving Families Magazine is a project of Weaving Families Adoption Ministry. The focus of the magazine is adoption and people serving vulnerable children and families worldwide.
Weaving Families Magazine is a free online magazine so please share with your church, adoption group, friends, and family! Also, we would love your suggestions and comments. Please email us at magazine@weavingfamilies.com to share story ideas and/or family pictures for our next issue!

Waiting Filipino children...

2009-05-26T13:53:00.005-04:00

We just received referrals of waiting children who are waiting in the Philippines for a forever family. Take a look and if you want more information please contact Jim at the CAS office...

036 – Female, 12 years old, healthy with some history of physical abuse and neglect

As stated in her report: “This child seeks for warmth, love, and security provided by a family.” Due to her mother’s incarceration and father’s neglect and abuse, this young girl needs a family to call her own. She is said to be a caretaker in the home she resides in helping with chores and caring for the younger children and respects and obeys the house parents. She strives to do well in school and desires to achieve her goals. This young girl needs a family that will help her grow more confident and provide her with an environment of security to lessen her anxiety.

037 – Male, 11 yrs old in June, healthy

This child is a healthy boy who when asked what his wish was stated “I want to be adopted.” He is said to be a sweet boy but has difficulty staying attentive in school and bullying others. He is currently in an alternative school (level III) and doing well. He has also received counseling for his behavior and has improved. This child is in need of a family that will love and care for him and provides structure and discipline when needed as well as continued counseling.

Sibling Group of 5

All children were subject to physical and verbal abuse by their father which was their primary caregiver since their mother worked and only came home twice a month. They are all healthy and in school. Currently they are all average students and enjoy various activities such as singing and dancing offered at the home.

According to their report, “it is strongly recommended that the children be placed in a loving Christian family with a complete set of parents who could provide time, attention, security and care for them…to give unconditional love and spiritual guidance/support to these siblings that may help them totally overcome their negative experience and feelings like fear or anger from the past.”

038 Male, 11 yrs old (DOB 7/4/1998)
This child was the protector of his siblings and felt responsible to provide and care for them by finding ways to earn money for food. He is said to have received informal counseling to help him deal with his fears.
039 Male, 10 yrs old (DOB 7/19/1999)
Same as his older brother, he also contributed to taking care of his siblings by finding ways to earn money for food. He is said to be friendly at the center and at school and is willing to do anything for his brothers and sisters.
040 Female, 7 yrs old (DOB 1/8/2001)
She is said to be cheerful and friendly and love to sing and dance. She helps prepare meals for her siblings while doing assignments and cares for them.
041 Female, 6 yrs old (11/5/2002)
She is said to be a “bubbly little girl” and easily shares her feelings and is said to be smart and talented.
042 Male, 4 yrs old (DOB 6/10/2004)
The youngest of the 5 siblings is said to be “a cubby child and loves being the center of everyone’s attention and has not had any serious sicknesses.

Sibling Group of 3
These children are 3 out of 5 siblings that have gone from family member to family member to be cared for. Their mother died and their father is homeless and unable to provide for them. They very much try to take care of each other and love each other. According to their report, “The siblings need a family who would love, care, protect them and accept their background.”
043 Female, 12 yrs old (DOB 9/17/1996)
This young girl was sexually attacked by their neighbor at a young age and will need to have this addressed by counseling. When at the home, she is said to be healthy and a quiet girl but active in school and activities in the home. She is responsible and obedient and likes to take care of her younger brothers and other children in the home.
044 Male, 10 yrs old (DOB 5/18/1999)
He is a confident young man that is patient and listens, but does quarrel with other children and house parents. He is said to be growing in school related skills such as math and writing.
045 Male, 8 yrs old (DOB 5/17/2001)
He is active and plays with the other children in the home and is said to be a healthy child for the most part but was diagnosed with primary complex and given medication.

046 Male, 5 years old (DOB 4/30/2004)
According to his child study report, this “Child needs a family who will accept him despite his disability and continuously provide his needs for proper growth and development. Child being a micro cephalic with global delay of development needs a closer supervision, one on one care and attention.”

9th Annual Philippine Ties Pool Party

2009-05-18T11:15:00.003-04:00

9th Annual Philippine Ties Pool Party

Name of Pool: Bent Creek Pool

Address: 5007 Thicketty Parkway

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2009

Time: 2-6 pm Bring:

*Dish to Pass, Dessert & a 2ltr bottle of Soda or Beverage

Cost: Approx. $20.00 for the expense of pool & life guards

(Will let you know the final fee)

Must have a RSVP this year to know how much it cost and # of lifeguards needed.

RSVP: Ann Reed (704) 853-0150 can leave a msg or (704) 678-8855 cell

The annual CAS picnic is coming!

2009-05-18T11:14:00.001-04:00

Plan to join us on June 6th at Frank Liske Park in Concord, NC, for our annual summer picnic. We LOVE seeing the families that are waiting and families who have recieved placement of a child. Detailed information was sent last week in the mail and there is no cost for the picnic. So plan on joining us there...

Free online course on LIFEBOOKS

2009-05-13T16:08:00.002-04:00

Spring is here! The season for new projects and fresh inspiration...a perfect time to start a Lifebook for your child, or to work on the one you already have.If you like the idea but don't know where to start, http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/ can help! The course covers some of the things that should be included in a Lifebook, and provides templates you can print out and use.For the month of May, we are offering our course on Lifebooks free of charge. Beginning June 1, however, there will be a $30 fee. So there's extra motivation to get started now! Click here and start today.

New online training courses available in April from Heart of the Matter seminars

2009-04-05T16:59:00.000-04:00

APRIL 2009 webinar calendar and topics

Please note our new presentation, "Siblings and Adoption" with guest Susan Peach, LCSW from LifeWorks Family Treatment Center.

April 8, 2009, 10:30am cst
Transitions, Developmental Concerns or Just Regular Kid Stuff????
This one hour webinar is designed for parents and agency staff. The topic assists parents and professionals in thinking about adoption issues in both the short term (transition to home) and the long term as well as sorting out "regular kid stuff" behavior from actual adoption related concerns.
$25.00*

April 16, 2009, 7:30pm cst
Managing Your Child's Bid for PowerThis one hour webinar is designed for parents and agency staff. Learn parental responses that help with the prevention of power struggles and management techniques for exiting the power struggles we slip into.
$25.00*

NEW!
April 21, 2009, 10:30am cst
Siblings and Adoption
Family therapist Susan Peach, LCSW will be joining us for this special one hour webinar. Please bring your questions and come prepared to think about siblings in the context of adoption. Note: this webinar is not a part of the NASW approved continuing education we offer.
$25.00*

April 30, 2009, 7:30pm cst
Sensory Integration at Home
This one hour webinar is for parents and agency staff. Explore symptoms of sensory integration and what they might look like in children of different ages and in different degrees of severity. Discuss the role of occupational therapy and what to expect during the assessment process. Most importantly, learn ways to promote a rich sensory diet at home that will promote healthy development regardless of whether the child experiences diagnosable sensory integrative dysfunction or not.
$25.00*

*Partner agency staff members may attend at no charge.Register now!
Programs are approved by the National Association of Social Workers(provider #88647358) for 1 continuing education contact hour unless otherwise noted.
Heart of the Matter Seminars is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to offer continuing education. (provider # PCE 4157)

Register before April 6th and receive $5 off with code SPRING

Naming your Child

2009-02-27T05:44:00.002-05:00

Naming your child can be a difficult decision to make for any parent. When you are considering a name for a child you are adopting who already comes with a name, either given to the child by his or her birthparent(s) or by someone in an orphanage, the decision can become more difficult, often involving unfamiliar people and cultures. Prospective parents sometimes struggle over whether to keep a name that was already given to a child.

Many questions will run through their minds:
If I decide to keep the child's given name, should it be their first name?
Should it be their middle name?
What if it's not a name that I or my spouse like?
How will a birthparent feel if I do or don't keep a name?
How will my child feel?
How might I feel about naming my child?
What are my traditions?
What about the traditions of my child's culture?

Questions & Answers

Question: Rose, what's the general feeling about changing a toddler's name? Is there a particular age at which it isn't such a good idea?
Rose: I think you need to look at each situation. I would say at the point that a child can communicate you might want to rethink changing his or her name. Developmentally, kids might be the same age, but at different stages. I can tell you that a family who adopted a four year old decided to keep his name, and I saw that as very appropriate.

Question: Do you have any input from adoptees who have had their names changed? positive or negative?
Rose: I've heard of both reactions. It's really individual. We just had an adoptee present at a home study group. She spoke of feeling real jealousy of her cousin who was also adopted, whose parents kept his Korean name as his middle name. Her parents did not keep any part of her given name.

Question: Is there any common thread you see in families that do or don't keep the birth name, even as a middle name?
Rose: I think it's more related to a deeper issue of their parents' comfort with the child's history and culture. Maybe it's hard for the parents to deal with the fact that this child is not exactly like a child who might have been biologically related.

Question: What if we, the parents, really have an aversion to the child's birth name? He's 2 1/2 and still in-country.
Rose: I'm thinking if the child is still in-country, it might be possible to ask whoever is caring for the child to introduce his new name to him. Although, I think if you could hold onto his given name in some way that it would mean a lot to him, and it would also mean a lot to his birthparents. Even if he had been named by an orphanage, it's still part of his history. Keeping the name as a middle name is a nice option, as is coming up with a variation on the name. When he's older he might decide he wants to be called by his middle name. I'm thinking as an adolescent, identity issues come up. Comment: The original name is one of the few pieces of original identity adoptive parents can give their child so it's nice to have even as a middle name. I like the idea of suggesting to the foster parents that they start letting him hear the name - get used to the sound of it. Rose: I think if the child were a little bit older it might be harder for him, although I know of someone who was adopted from Korea at age 6 whose name was changed by her parents, although they kept her Korean name as a middle name. She speaks of really liking her name.

Question: What about an older child adopted domestically whose safety may require a name change? How do you explain it?
Rose: Depending on her age, she might be at the age where a discussion can be had with her. You can talk to her about her situation and how serious it is and that you need to protect her. In that though, I'm thinking an older child might want to have some say in what her new name would be. It sounds like a very out of control situation for her and having a part of naming herself can give her some sense of control over some parts of her life.

Question: What about letting children choose their own names more generally?
Rose: Well, that can be good and not so good. What if you hate the name the child picks? Or worse, what if they want to name themselves after a cartoon or superhero? I think as the parent for a young child who hasn't yet identified himself with the name given at birth that ultimately you are the parent and part of that is naming your child. It connects you to this child. It's something that you give your child that stays with them. A birth name carries a lot of weight for adoptees. It's who they are from before they were with their adoptive parents. It's their history.

Question: Is anything special needed when a child starts the "You aren't my real mother" stage and adds on, "and don't call me (adoptive name), my name is (birth name)?"
Rose: I'm sure there are smart kids out there who do that. They know what buttons to push and take it to the limit. But I might want to talk more to my child about it if it did come up - maybe not in the moment, but later, revisit it and ask about how they feel about their birth name, validating the child's feelings that he or she is different, but loved by his parents and always their child and a part of the family.

More information:
The Meaning of Names-Find out what your child's name means
Considerations for Naming Your Transracially or Interculturally Adopted Child
Forum Discussion: Toddler Adoption and Name Change

Credits: by Rose Aquavia, C.S.W., Spence-Chapin http://www.spence-chapin.org

Your Church and the Orphan

2009-02-13T11:04:00.003-05:00

This workshop gives decisive steps on how to proceed in establishing an orphan care ministry and leaves us excited to see how God is going to work in the future of our church!
-- Church Layperson, Fresno, CA

It's likely that you or someone you know has been deeply impacted through an encounter with an orphan. It might have been a missions trip to an orphanage while in middle school. Maybe it was a foster child you mentored during college. Maybe your relative or friend is considering adopting. Whatever the case, God has planted the seed and now, it's time for that seed to take root and grow.

Your Church and the Orphan is a biblically-based, informative, powerful, and interactive one-day workshop that will bring together a group of passionate, like-minded people from your church to pray, dream and learn about how God wants to use your church to care for orphans. The workshop is designed for Christian lay leaders (though pastors and other church leaders are welcome to attend!) who want to explore how their church can make an eternal difference for orphans and waiting children.

Your Church and the Orphan will be held on:
Saturday, February 21, 20099 AM until 4:30 PM
Biltmore Baptist Church35 Clayton RoadArden, NC 28704

Please pass this on to others who are passionate for orphans. It is our desire to equip each person who registers with the tools they need to gather a team and join us as we explore how God wants to use the church to bring hope to orphans.

For more information, please CLICK HERE

Dr. Karyn Purvis is coming to Winston-Salem

2009-02-06T11:25:00.002-05:00

Dr. Karyn Purvis who wrote the book, The Connected Child, will be in Winston-Salem on March 7, 2009, for an all day event for families who have adopted or who are in the process to adopt. The cost is low at $30 per couple or $20 for individuals and lunch is provided. Follow this link to sign up: http://www.chsnc.org/a_events/connected%20child%20conference.pdf

Great resources for families adopting from an international country

2009-01-28T13:27:00.002-05:00

BOOKS

*Adopting the Hurt Child by Gregory C. Keck, Ph.D. and Regina M. Kupecky, L.S.W. (Pinon Press 1998) -- offering hope for families with special-needs kids
*Are Those Kids Yours? American Families with Children Adopted from Other Countries by Cheri Register, Ph.D. (1991) -- what is involved in becoming an international family
*Of Many Colors: Portraits of Multiracial Families by Peggy Gillespie -- appreciating diversity and dealing with issues of race
*Older Child Adoption by Grace Robinson (1998) research study of 30 families who adopted older children; presenting unique challenges and opportunities
*Parenting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck, Ph.D., and Regina Kupecky, LSW (Pinon Press 2002)
*The International Adoption Handbook by Myra Alperson (Henry Holt and Company 1997)
*The Whole Life Adoption Book: Realistic Advice for Building a Healthy Adoptive Family by Jayne E. Schooler (Pinon Press,1993) handbook addressing early steps of adoption, helps with parenting problems, challenges of transcultural adoptions, telling children they are adopted, why adopted children seek roots and how to respond.
*Toddler Adoption: the Weaver's Craft by Mary Hopkins Best (1997) -- covering preparation and education, forming attachments, behavior management, and moreTwelve Part Harmony by Pat and Jill Williams
*Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew by Sherry Eldridge
*With Eyes Wide Open: A Workbook for Parents Adopting International Children Over Age One by Margi Miller, M.A. and Nancy Ward, M.A., L.I.S.W. (1996) -- to help you prepare for one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences you will ever have . . . taking a child with life experiences into your heart and your life, to be a part of you forever

JOURNALS

*Adoption TODAY Magazine, 1-888-924-6736, Email: louis@adoptinfo.net, www.adoptinfo.net
*ROOTS & WINGS Adoption Magazine, (908) 813-8252, Email: adoption@interactive.net, promotes broad appreciation and understanding of adoption through personal stories. $21 per year, quarterly; $36 for two years

BOOKS ON PARENTING

*The Complete Book of Baby and Child Care by the Focus on the Family Physicians Resource Council, U.S.A. (1997) Shepherding A Child's Heart by Ted Tripp

COUNSELING AND DEVELOPMENTAL HELP

*The Hope Connection, TCU Developmental Research Lab - contacts: David Cross, Ph.D. & Karen Purvis, 817-257-6416 . . . conduct summer camps as well as workshops for special needs adoptions
*Center for Family Care -- (214) 750-1086
*Child Guidance Clinic -- Carla Sprague, LMSW-ACP,RPT (214) 351-3490
*Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) -- (817) 446-8000; (972) 503-1709
*Irving Christian Counseling Centers -- Sandra Mahoney (972) 257-0449

WEB SITES

*Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption, "Strengthening the Family Through Support, Community and Resources," (703) 560-6184, www.frua.org
*Global Mapping International - a Christian inter-denominational research agency providing information on missions, www.gmi.org
*International Adoption Medical Clinic Listings -- clinics and doctors in the U.S. and Canada specializing in international adoption health issues; offers great resources for international adoption medical and health information, especially if your adopted child has an ailment that is uncommon or not easily diagnosed or treated; experts also provide expertise on pre-adoption evaluations, immunizations and post adoption medical examinations. www.comeunity.com/adopton/health/clinics.html --->www.ftia.org/resources/clinics.html
*National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/
*Passport Information - http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
*Parent Network for the Post Institutionalized Child -- focuses on issues specific to the adoption of children who have spent part of their early life in an orphanage setting; also has a good newsletter www.pnpic.org
*Patrin Web Journal -- offering in-depth information on the Romani (Gypsy) history and culture, from customs and traditions, to the Holocaust to current organizations. www.geocites.com/Paris/5121/patrin.htm--->
*Perspectives Press, www.perspectivespress.com
*www.RainbowKids.com, an online International Adoption Publication
*Romania Adoption Listserv -- an informal informative and supportive forum for all interested in Romania and Romanian adoption; personal adoption stories are most welcome and participation by professionals and agencies is encouraged. www.egroups.com/group/Romania_Adoption
*Roots & Wings, may read selected articles from previous issues, www.rootsandwingsmagazine.com or www.adoption.org/rw.html --->
*Special Needs Adoption Network -- (414) 475-1246, www.wiadopt.org
*Tapestry Books -- largest source for up-to-date adoption literature, (800) 765-2367, www.tapestrybooks.com
*U.S. Embassy in Russia Online -- official site offers information on current affairs, culture and travel in Russia, among other things; contact names and addresses listed. www.usembassy.ru/
*Viva Network - a global movement of Christians passionately concerned for 'children at risk', committed to every child having the opportunity to become all that God intends. www.viva.org
*Weather Information. weather.yahoo.com

Poem on "hard to place" children (thanks Heidi for sending it)

2009-01-14T15:24:00.002-05:00

"I understand that you couldn't make room -that there wasn't a place.
I was not of your womb.

That my age was all wrong, and my history belonged, to a place and a people
you know have all gone.

I see in your eyes that my life was a chore, that my needs were too big,
my emotions to raw.

That you were afraid I might never leave home, or I might find anger and by
failure be known.

That my heart was too broken my mind was too slow. That the drugs in my
system defined me, you know.

And maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't love you -for my mind was too battered
too deep were the wounds. But I wish you had tried, I wish you had found
room.

For this one tiny boy who so achingly stood and looked in the windows and
watched as you prayed, and asked the Lord Jesus to move you each day.

To bring out the family that He had prepared, but none came forward as I
stood lonely there.

I understand - that man would say my childhood has slipped away. I have a
father, this is true, I know the same strong God as you.B

But I wish that I had, had a mom -a brother, a sister, a dog, some lawn.

That you had tried to reach me there not left me to my own despair. To people
who were paid to feed, and paid to wash and paid to read. To those who didn't
stay too long and those who chose to teach me wrong.

I wish, that you had found a way to wedge me in and let me stay.

"Here is my prayer,"Lord, please raise up Godly parents for the children that are 'hard to place.' So that they may thrive under the love of a family. Let us not define adopted children by their stories or by the choices made by their birth parents. May You touch the hearts of those Godly families to consider adding to their family by the amazing gift of adoption."

Hands of Hope: Adoption Focus Weekend is coming to the Triad area January 16-18

2008-12-29T16:25:00.004-05:00

Blaise Baptist Church in Mocksville is hosting the following weekend highlighting the need of children in the US and abroad to find a forever family.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, January 16th
6:00 Booths Open
6:30 Dinner and Concert with Meredith Andrews
This is a ticketed event. (see below)
8:30-9:30 Booths open after concert

Saturday, January 17thThere is no charge for Saturday events.
8:00-9:00am Registration and Booths Open
9:00-9:45 Music with Meredith Andrews
9:45-10:30 Family Testimonies
10:30-12:30pm Break Out Sessions
12:30-1:30 Booths Open

Sunday, January 18th
8:00am Booths Open
8:15 and 11:00 Morning Worship Services. Booths open before and after both services

Who is Meredith Andrews?
Beneath her youthful exterior and fresh-faced exuberance, is a focused artist. She creates music that serves as a personal conduit for those seeking to worship God, and she also wants to remind others of God’s desire to reach them.

143,000,000 Orphans in the World/150,000 Orphans in America

“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Fatheris this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”James 1:27

Proposed Saturday Breakout Sessions

Financial Strategies: How can we afford this and what are our options?
-
International Adoption: Bringing a child home from another country. -
Domestic Adoption: The process of providing a home in the United States.
-
Legal Aspects of Adoption: What are my rights and limitations?
-
The Connected Child: Post Adoption concerns
-
Foster Care: Providing a transitional haven.
-
Great Expectations: Examining Our Expectationsaround Adoption and Parenting
-
Adoption Support: If we can’t adopt, how can we still help?

Transracial and Cross-cultural Adoption: The Beauty and Challenges

Infertility and Adoption: Considerations for you and your Spouse
FRIDAY NIGHTDINNER/CONCERTINFORMATIONCatered Meal followed by a concert by recording artist Meredith Andrews.Tickets are $20 per person ($50 max per household).To request tickets, click HERE

HELP US BYINFORMINGYOUR CHURCH!CLICK HERE
DOWNLOADABLE INFOWeekend Promo Flyer
Church Bulletin Inserts
Booth Participant Info and Sign Up Break Out Session Leader Info
Break Out Leader Registration

WANT FREE TICKETS TO THEFRIDAY NIGHT DINNER/CONCERT?

Online training through Heart of the Matter---take a look

2008-12-29T16:23:00.001-05:00

**January 6, 2009, 10:30am
Transitions, Developmental Concerns or Just Regular Kid Stuff????
This one hour webinar is designed for parents and agency staff. The topic assists parents and professional in thinking about adoption issues in both the short term (transition to home) and the long term as well as sorting out "regular kid stuff" behavior from actual adoption related concerns.
$25.00

** January 13, 2009, 10:30am
Managing Your Child's Bid for PowerThis one hour webinar is designed for parents and agency staff. Learn parental responses that help with the prevention of power struggles and management techniques for exiting the power struggles we slip into.
$25.00

**January 20, 2009, 10:30am Troublesome Toilet TrainingThis one hour webinar is designed for parents and agency staff. Participants will learn what constitutes "troublesome" toilet training, some of the "why's" behind it and will explore both short term and long term strategies for dealing with this issue.
$25.00

** January 28, 2009, 7:30pm
Cycle of Need and Attachment
This one hour webinar is designed for parents and agency staff. It provides a brief introduction to cycles of need and unmet need and related brain based skills. The webinar also addresses attachment basics. This webinar is most appropriate for those who have NOT completed the Because They Waited system or who want a refresher since the material is derived directly from the system.
$25.00**

Register now!

Save $10 with coupon code TRAN2009

Offer good for January 6th webinar only

"Parenting throughout the Adoption Journey" a workshop coming on January 30-31

2008-12-17T22:49:00.001-05:00

Weaving Families adoption counseling ministry based out of Matthews (www.weavingfamilies.com) will be presenting at a workshop entitled "Parenting throughout the Adoption Journey" on January 30-31 at the Providence Presbyterian Church in Concord, NC.

To find out more information on this event please go to the Weaving Families website and look under their calendar page. Remember you can never have too much training, information and education when parenting your child. "Issues" that come with adoption are intrinsically different than giving birth to a biological child. Plan to join us there!