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| Photo courtesy of EIEIO Photography |
Thursday, March 28, 2013
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST WINNERS!
Thank you to all our supporters who entered the photography contest! Below is a photo of our winners at the Greater Rochester International Airport. Congratulations!!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD BOY MAKES PLEA TO JUDGE ROBERTS
Two days ago, on the eve of the Supreme Court considering Proposition 8, Daniel Martinez tells Chief Justice Roberts why he hopes the judge will strike down California's Proposition 8. Read the story here and watch the video below.
Monday, March 18, 2013
TEN MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT FOSTER CARE ADOPTION
When people first begin looking at domestic foster care adoption, there are a lot of questions that can come up. Below is a list of the top ten questions I get asked most frequently.
The answers I have to these questions are based on the most frequent responses from agencies that certify families for domestic foster care adoption. The final decision for your licensure will need to be made by the adoption agency that completes your home study. You can click here for a list of agencies in your area.
1. How much does it cost to adopt? When adopting from the foster care system, you should pay little to no fees. Any upfront fees involved are usually for the home study but not all agencies charge for this. (Most county's department of social services will provide a home study free of charge.) Depending on the child(ren) you adopt, you may be eligible for financial assistance.
2. I'm gay. Can I adopt? While most states allow single LGBT individuals to adopt, some may have restrictions on both parents jointly petitioning. You can click here for a list of states and their laws regarding LGBT adoption.
3. Do I need to be married to adopt? No. As long as you have a support network (friends, family), the fact that you are single should not play a role in your adoption journey. According to the Adoption Institute, in 1999, 31% of domestic foster care adoptions were by single women.
4. If I have a criminal record, can I still adopt? This depends on the charge. Some agencies see someone who has taken a negative, and made the experience into a positive, as an asset for an adopted child. Many of our youth have struggles and could benefit from a parent who has prevailed over hardship. With that said, if you have a felony, regardless of what it is, it is against the law to adopt from the foster care system. Also, if you have any charges pertaining to children, you will not be able to get certified to adopt.
5. I'm currently on disability. Can I adopt? As long as your disability does not prevent you from being a stable parent, it should not prevent you from adopting. While there are no income requirements to adopt from the foster care system, you will need to prove that you are financially stable and can care for a child.
6. Are there any age requirements to adopt? This is something that is usually decided by the state but agencies have the right to decide whether or not they want to certify a parent. Some states may require you to be 21 years old but it may be difficult to find an agency that will certify persons under the age of 25. As for older persons adopting, there is no age limit but you must have an alternate plan for the child(ren) should something happen to you. The majority of youth who wait to be adopted are over the age of 6. Older parents are needed to adopt older children and teenagers.
7. Can I meet the child before they are placed in my home? When you inquire on a child, you are not immediately matched with that youth. There is a long process that involves reading through child studies, meeting with therapists, caseworkers, foster parents, and visiting with the youth. Most states also require a child to be in the home for at least 3 months before one can petition the courts to adopt.
8. What if I live with a friend or family member - can I still adopt? Any persons over the age of 18, residing in the home, must have a criminal background check. They do not have to take the training or have a home study completed, unless they are your spouse or partner and are also adopting the child.
9. I currently live in a one bedroom but I can move if I am matched with a child. Will this be an issue? I have, on occasion, seen some agencies certify a family under the condition that if and when they were matched, they would be prepared to move into a home with enough room to accommodate the child(ren). Of course, once you move, your caseworker will need to do an update on your home study to show your new residence.
10. I am already a parent. Do I still need to go through the training classes? Yes. In order to be an adoptive parent, you will need to take the training classes (most states use PRIDE or MAPP training). These classes are not parenting classes but rather provide information on the special needs of our children in foster care. They are specifically designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to assess your family's strengths and needs in order to determine if adoption is right for you.
Children Awaiting Parents is a nonprofit organization that works to promote domestic foster care adoption, specifically for older youth. If you have any questions along the way or need assistance in advocating, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
The answers I have to these questions are based on the most frequent responses from agencies that certify families for domestic foster care adoption. The final decision for your licensure will need to be made by the adoption agency that completes your home study. You can click here for a list of agencies in your area.
1. How much does it cost to adopt? When adopting from the foster care system, you should pay little to no fees. Any upfront fees involved are usually for the home study but not all agencies charge for this. (Most county's department of social services will provide a home study free of charge.) Depending on the child(ren) you adopt, you may be eligible for financial assistance.
2. I'm gay. Can I adopt? While most states allow single LGBT individuals to adopt, some may have restrictions on both parents jointly petitioning. You can click here for a list of states and their laws regarding LGBT adoption.
3. Do I need to be married to adopt? No. As long as you have a support network (friends, family), the fact that you are single should not play a role in your adoption journey. According to the Adoption Institute, in 1999, 31% of domestic foster care adoptions were by single women.
4. If I have a criminal record, can I still adopt? This depends on the charge. Some agencies see someone who has taken a negative, and made the experience into a positive, as an asset for an adopted child. Many of our youth have struggles and could benefit from a parent who has prevailed over hardship. With that said, if you have a felony, regardless of what it is, it is against the law to adopt from the foster care system. Also, if you have any charges pertaining to children, you will not be able to get certified to adopt.
5. I'm currently on disability. Can I adopt? As long as your disability does not prevent you from being a stable parent, it should not prevent you from adopting. While there are no income requirements to adopt from the foster care system, you will need to prove that you are financially stable and can care for a child.
6. Are there any age requirements to adopt? This is something that is usually decided by the state but agencies have the right to decide whether or not they want to certify a parent. Some states may require you to be 21 years old but it may be difficult to find an agency that will certify persons under the age of 25. As for older persons adopting, there is no age limit but you must have an alternate plan for the child(ren) should something happen to you. The majority of youth who wait to be adopted are over the age of 6. Older parents are needed to adopt older children and teenagers.
7. Can I meet the child before they are placed in my home? When you inquire on a child, you are not immediately matched with that youth. There is a long process that involves reading through child studies, meeting with therapists, caseworkers, foster parents, and visiting with the youth. Most states also require a child to be in the home for at least 3 months before one can petition the courts to adopt.
8. What if I live with a friend or family member - can I still adopt? Any persons over the age of 18, residing in the home, must have a criminal background check. They do not have to take the training or have a home study completed, unless they are your spouse or partner and are also adopting the child.
9. I currently live in a one bedroom but I can move if I am matched with a child. Will this be an issue? I have, on occasion, seen some agencies certify a family under the condition that if and when they were matched, they would be prepared to move into a home with enough room to accommodate the child(ren). Of course, once you move, your caseworker will need to do an update on your home study to show your new residence.
10. I am already a parent. Do I still need to go through the training classes? Yes. In order to be an adoptive parent, you will need to take the training classes (most states use PRIDE or MAPP training). These classes are not parenting classes but rather provide information on the special needs of our children in foster care. They are specifically designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to assess your family's strengths and needs in order to determine if adoption is right for you.
Children Awaiting Parents is a nonprofit organization that works to promote domestic foster care adoption, specifically for older youth. If you have any questions along the way or need assistance in advocating, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
MEET CRAIG!
Today's guest blogger is our Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter, Melanie
Schmidt. She'll be telling us about Craig, a lover of orange soda and crafts!
When I showed up for my second visit with Craig at his group home, he remembered me right away even though it had been 2 months since our first meeting. He said, “I missed you, Melanie!”
He is a polite kid and I remember after our first visit, Craig was very shy and did not talk much until I was getting in my car when he called after me, “Have a safe trip and I can’t wait to see you at my group home!”
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| Craig during the 2012 holiday season |
When I showed up for my second visit with Craig at his group home, he remembered me right away even though it had been 2 months since our first meeting. He said, “I missed you, Melanie!”
He is a polite kid and I remember after our first visit, Craig was very shy and did not talk much until I was getting in my car when he called after me, “Have a safe trip and I can’t wait to see you at my group home!”
This time, it was February Break and Craig was off from
school so his group home decided to have a “Beach Day”. The children helped
make tropical decorations and Craig had on this Hawaiian hat. He later decided
to put swim trunks on to complete his beach look. Even though he had a cold and
it was his first day in a new cottage at his group home, Craig readily
participated in the crafts I brought and proudly showed me around the campus.
He showed me his classroom and was excited to go to the vending machine all by
himself to purchase an orange soda (his favorite) with the allowance money he
earned for being good and doing chores. His staff says Craig is very helpful
and enjoys cleaning and helping in the kitchen.
Are you the forever family for this sweet young man?
Click here to inquire on Craig through our website or
to watch his video.
Craig is only ONE of over 100,000 youth who are waiting for a permanent home. Please contact Melanie@capbook.org or call us at 888-835-8802 to learn more about Craig or other youth who are available and waiting...
Craig is only ONE of over 100,000 youth who are waiting for a permanent home. Please contact Melanie@capbook.org or call us at 888-835-8802 to learn more about Craig or other youth who are available and waiting...
Friday, March 8, 2013
VOTE FOR CAP FAMILY ON LIVE WITH KELLY AND MICHAEL!
One of our very own families, Trelawney McCoy, is being recognized as an Unstoppable Mom on LIVE with Kelly & Michael!
Trelawney McCoy has been volunteering with Children Awaiting Parents for the past 11 years. She has worked as a family advocate, a guest speaker at our informational meetings and for our Faith in Children program, and a member and mentor with CAP's Council of Adoptive Parents (a support group for those going through the adoption process). Trelawney goes above and beyond for her children and has a strong presence in our local community in Rochester, New York. A single mother of EIGHT children (of whom SEVEN she adopted!), she is truly a phenomenal woman.
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| Trelawney's feature today on LIVE with Kelly & Michael |
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