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Legislative Update: what’s happening in Congress this week

As part of CCAI’s efforts to educate federal policymakers about children in need of families, CCAI tracks legislation related to foster care and adoption.  For the updated list of all pending legislation in the 111th Congress related to these issues, click here.  Please note, CCAI does not take a stand on any particular piece of legislation, rather, we serve as an educational resource to policymakers and advocates.

The Child Welfare League of America highlighted two pieces of legislation in their most recent Children’s Monitor newsletter: the Title IV-E Waiver bill H.R. 6156 which renews the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to approve demonstration projects designed to test innovative strategies in state child welfare programs; and the the CAPTA reauthorization bill S. 3817 which amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, the Family Violence and Services Act, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Reform Act of 1978, and the Abandoned Infants Assistant Act of 1988 to reauthorize the Acts.

Today on the Floor, the House is expected to pass H. Res. 1648 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children in foster care awaiting families.  A similar Senate version S. Res. 291 is also expected to be passed this week.

Yesterday, the House passed the International Adoption Simplification Act S. 1376.  In a press release announcing this bill will now head to the president to be signed into law, the following explanation of the legislation was given: The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Klobuchar (D-MN) and cosponsored by Senators James Inhofe (R-OK) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA), would allow U.S. parents to adopt children who are siblings, even if one of those children is between the ages of 16 and 18, and help protect children’s health during the adoption process.  The bill would restore two exemptions to U.S. immigration law for internationally adopted children that were eliminated when the United States began implementation of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

Angels continue to advocate

CCAI is excited to highlight the below Angels in Adoption™ honorees for their continued commitment toward working for a family for every child.  Angels are some of the most amazing individuals out there and CCAI could not be more proud to see them nationally recognized for their tireless efforts!

2010 Angel, Andrea Faris Roberts, executive director of Reece’s Rainbow, has been named PEOPLE Magazine’s Reader’s Choice HERO of the year!

2009 Angels, Josh and Trina Hildabrand, are recognized as “Everyday Heroes” in the Nov/Dec 2010 issue of Fostering Families Today magazine!

In addition, a few Angels recently received the 2010 Adoption Excellence Award!  This award is given out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families:

  • 2009 Angel, Gia Tutalo-Mote, founder and CEO of Forever Family
  • 2009 Angel, Children’s Home Society of Florida
  • 2001 Angel, Janice Goldwater

 

 

It’s National Adoption Month!

November is National Adoption Month (NAM)!  This year marks the 16th anniversary of NAM, which grew out of the need to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families for children in foster care.  Organizations and families across the country will be doing their part to celebrate this important month.  Be sure to check out some unique ways others are using National Adoption Month to promote foster care adoption.  Be sure to get involved!

  • National Adoption Day will take place on November 20th.  Be sure get involved in your local event and invite your governor, mayor, legislator, or Member of Congress to attend your community’s event.  This is a great way to attract media attention and further raise awareness about the need for foster care adoption.
  • Bryan Samuels, Commissioner of the Administration for Children and Families, sent a Dear Colleague to encourage individuals across the country to use November as an opportunity to raise awareness about the the almost 115,000 children who are eligible for adoption and currently waiting in foster care for a family.
  • Adoption.com prepared a calendar giving supporters ideas for celebrating each day of National Adoption Month.
  • Encourage your church to celebrate Orphan Sunday on November 7th.
  • Contact your elected officials and ask them to get involved in efforts surrounding foster care adoption this month.  Refer their staff to CCAI’s elected official resource guide.

Don’t let November be the end of your commitment to this issue.  Sign up for CCAI’s newsletter to stay updated year-round about foster care adoption.

You know what I love…that’s right, my hair!

Sesame Street is giving women of all ages and races a reason to put away the extensions, curling irons, hot combs, and chemicals in order to embrace their natural hair. The new skit features a young African-American puppet who is stylishly wearing an afro. With pride, enthusiasm, and confidence she sings “I Love My Hair!”

ABC News highlighted the song during an interview with the show’s Head Writer, Joey Mazzarino after the October 4th airing led to “I Love My Hair” going viral on YouTube. Mazzarino says he was inspired to address the issue of African-American hair on the show because of his daughter.  Adopted from Ethiopia, she used to play with Barbie dolls with long, blonde hair and make comments about wanting the same.

Lyrics to the song include “Don’t need a trip to the beauty shop. ‘Cause I love what I got on top. It’s curly and it’s brown and it’s right up there! You know what I love? That’s right, my hair! I really love my hair.” When mothers tell their daughters “You are beautiful just the way you are,” it’s now supported by a fabulous girl who boldly proclaims “I Love My Hair,” giving confidence to all girls!  Be sure to also check out the full video of the song.

This video is helping to erase self-esteem issues for women within the African American community. The “I Love My Hair” video brings to light an issue that has plagued African women for centuries: the standard of beauty and colorism. These topics have been heavily discussed in the 1939 Clark Doll experiment and more recently in the documentary “Good Hair” starring Chris Rock and the music video for India Arie’s “I Am Not My Hair.”

Freddie Mac Foundation’s Adoption Expo on Nov. 6th in DC

On Saturday, November 6th, the Freddie Mac Foundation, in partnership with NBC4 and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, will once again host an Adoption Expo to showcase local and national adoption organizations.

This free event will offer information from A to Z about the adoption experience and the resources available if you’re considering adoption. You will also have the opportunity to learn firsthand from experts in the field and families who have adopted. Information and resources will also be available for those who have already adopted.

WHEN: Saturday, November 6, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1000 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Metro accessible (Metro Center – exit into hotel)

WHO IT’S FOR:

  • Anyone considering or currently pursuing adoption
  • Adoptive parents interested in learning about post-adoption resources

WHAT YOU WILL FIND:

  • More than 30 public and private adoption agencies and service providers specializing in:
    • Domestic Adoption
    • International Adoption
    • Special Needs Adoption
    • Post-Adoption Services
    • Information and Resources
  • Workshops [PDF 144K] for prospective and current adoptive parents, highlighting the adoption process and available support systems and resources
  • Parent-to-parent discussion groups featuring families who will share their experiences in adoption, both domestic and international
  • Information about children available for adoption in the Washington metropolitan area and beyond
  • Renowned adoption authors and a wide array of resource materials
  • Entertainment for children throughout the afternoon.

Click here to visit their website.

CCAI celebrates our 12th annual Angels in Adoption gala

Last Wednesday, October 6th, CCAI’s 12th annual Angels in AdoptionTM gala took place to celebrate individuals across the country working to improve the lives of children in need of families.

There were 142 Angels in Adoption honored by their own Member of Congress.  Many of these Angels traveled to DC for three days of events meant to educate and further inspire their work.  2010 Angel in Adoption™, Martha Allen of California, said of attending the event, “I’m looking forward to coming home full of ideas, inspiration and awe after hearing about each Angel and the wonderful things they have accomplished.”  For a complete list of Angels and their states visit http://bit.ly/bCEMEI.

The events culminated in the gala where three celebrity National Angels in Adoption were honored for their work on a national scale.  National Angels in Adoption™ honorees include Tony and Emmy Award winning actress Kristin Chenoweth, Four-time Emmy Award winning actress Rhea Perlman and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Kristin Chenoweth
Rhea Perlman
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Executive Producers Anthony Dominici and Diane Korman

As part of the event, Country music artist Jimmy Wayne performed his song “Elephant Ears” about his own experience as a foster child.  He shared, “One of the great things about the Angels in Adoption™ program is the level of awareness it  brings to an option people don’t always consider, and that’s adopting a child or teen who is in the Foster Care system.  There are so many kids there, just waiting for a loving family to give them a home.”

Jimmy Wayne

Kristin Chenoweth was honored for her willingness to use her own personal story to raise awareness about adoption and the importance of individuals stepping forward to impact the lives of children. “Being adopted myself,” says Chenoweth, “I understand what impact adoption has on the life of a child. I was lucky that my parents gave me unconditional love and support, and I don’t think I would be where I am today without them.”

Over the years, Rhea Perlman played an important role in the media and television industry’s advocacy for improvements to foster care, and in particular the need for reform throughout California.  There are over 67,000 children in the California alone, accounting for one-eighth of all children in the U.S. foster care system.  She is also outspoken about adoption for older youth in care.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was awarded for its efforts to feature foster and adoptive families on their show, thereby raising awareness of the needs of waiting children and the joy adoption can bring to a family.  Since the show began, there have been three Angel in Adoption™ families, from various parts of the country, featured on the show.  “We are honored to receive this award for the 33 episodes in which we presented homes to adoptive or foster families. While our efforts to provide these families a beautiful new home are intended to make a difference in their lives, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is pleased to learn that these episodes are also making a difference in the fight for every children in the world to have a safe and loving home of their own,” says the show’s Executive Producer, Diane Korman.

Kathleen Strottman, Executive Director of CCAI states, “Statistically speaking, it is possible for each and every child to have a safe and permanent family to call their own.  Because of Angels celebrated by this program, we are much closer to achieving that goal. Almost across the board, each Angel’s extraordinary journey started with a single step forward – saying count me in.”

Kathleen Strottman

Visit www.angelsinadoption.org for more information.