GIRL IN FOSTER CARE SINGS ON EUROPEAN X-FACTOR

Meet fifteen-year-old Veanka Howard. She has moved from 100 different foster homes and has now found her forever home.

Click here to hear her story and hear her sing!

Photo courtesy of www.dailytelegraph.com.au

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!

Meet Bob, our amazingly awesome volunteer who has been with us for about five years, entering information in the database and harrassing staff (okay, teasing us) for, well, about five years. We're super duper grateful for all Bob has done for our kids and families and we wanted to show him how much he means to us.

So we did what any respectable group would do and we decorated his cube to the most obnoxious degree.

Happy Birthday Bob!



Bob being Bob.

TELL US WHY YOU LOVE CAP AND BECOME A CAP CHEERLEADER!

The office is a buzz as we gear up for our annual CAP Family Walk. We're working on some really cool prizes and new activities for our awesome supporters.

Registration for the walk is now open and can be accessed securely by visiting www.firstgiving.com/ChildrenAwaitingParents/2013familywalk - zumba registration will be up soon! Remember to save the date: September 21, and invite your family and friends! And for our friends in other states, please join us by "walking virtually" - we always appreciate your support.

In the meantime, we'd love to hear about why you're walking. Join our "CAP Cheerleaders" by giving us a quote about why you love CAP!

CAP Cheerleader, Gerhard from Massachusetts, says: 

"I think it's great how responsive you and your agency are. You are light years ahead! Great work."

As always, thank you for your support and we'll see you in September!

CAP Walk Supporters

NACAC CONFERENCE IN AUGUST

Want to learn about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?

Think you could benefit from a workshop designed for parents who are raising children who aren't responding to therapy?

Attend the NACAC adoption conference!

Photo courtesy of www.nacac.org

The above questions are only two of many workshops that are being offered at this year's conference.

Every year, the North American Council of Adoptable Children puts on their adoption conference and every year, caseworkers and families come together to learn how they can help support one another, and the children, so that our youth can find unconditional love and permanency.

Want to learn more?

Visit their website or contact Christina Romo, conference coordinator, at 651.644.3036 ext. 17.

FAMILY PHOTO BOOKS

I don't think you have to live in the Rochester area to take advantage of this great Groupon deal!

Lisa, our development director, sent us this link today. It's a great way to show your child's journey into becoming a part of your family, or document a finalization - however you choose to use it!



Photo courtesy of www.groupon.com

AN OPEN LETTER TO THOSE CONSIDERING FOSTER CARE ADOPTION

 

Dear Family,

You are one of the 48 million Americans who have considered adoption from foster care, more than any other type of adoption including private infant adoption and international adoption.  Even still, there are over 100,000 kids in the U.S. foster system who wait for their forever family. Over the past 41 years, Children Awaiting Parents has worked hard to debunk the myths that can act as a barrier between a successful placement.

We have had hundreds of prospective families contact us under the misconception that you have to be rich to adopt out of the foster care system. This is simply not true. Many agencies do not charge for the services they provide to families who are adopting a child from foster care. In addition, a growing number of companies and government agencies offer adoption assistance as part of their employee benefit packages, including time off for maternity/paternity leave, financial incentives, and other benefits. Congress has also made federal tax credits available for foster care adoptions to help offset required fees, court costs, legal and travel expenses.

Not only do you not have to be rich, you don’t have to married, own a home, or be of a race to become an adoptive parent (Nearly one-third of adoptions from foster care are by single parents). In fact, families are as diverse as the children who are available for adoption. Patience, a good sense of humor, a love of children and an unconditional commitment are the most important characteristics.

Another myth is that all children in the foster system are saddled with “baggage.” Please keep in mind that the term “special needs” is somewhat misleading because it can mean that the child is older, a minority or requires placement with his/her siblings. While some children are dealing with physical or emotional concerns, they need the nurturing support only a permanent family can provide.

State agencies are legally required to provide full, factual information about a child to any potential adoptive parents. Agencies have an invested interest in ensuring that parents have a positive experience with foster care adoption so they will continue to adopt and recommend others do the same. For children who have physical, emotional or behavioral problems, agencies seek to provide the most comprehensive services available to help the children transition into their new homes. Financial assistance does not end with the child’s placement or adoption. The vast majority of children adopted from foster care are eligible for federal or state subsidies that help offset both short-and long-term costs associated with post-adoption adjustments. Such benefits, which vary by state, commonly include monthly subsidies, medical assistance and social services.

No matter where you are at in the adoption process, we encourage you to contact us. Together, we have more than 40 years of experience in adoption and foster care. We are advocate for both children and families. Take the next step and call us at 888-835.8802.

Children Awaiting Parents

UPCOMING WEBINAR: UNDERSTANDING THE ACTING-OUT BEHAVIOR OF YOUR ADOPTED CHILDREN

• Upcoming Webinar: Understanding the Acting-Out Behavior of Your Adopted Children—On Tuesday, June 18^th at 8pm (EST) the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC), in partnership with Maris Blechner, will host an informational webinar to provide parents with tools to better understand underlying issues behind behaviors of some adopted children. NACAC has scheduled webinars taught by experienced individuals who are adoption professionals and adoptive parents. We encourage you to share information about the sessions with parents and professionals who might be interested in this great educational opportunity. To register or learn more visit: https://www.nacac.org/secure/webinarregistration.html