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North American Council on Adoptable Children [1]
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North American Council on Adoptable Children [1]
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FROM: COMMUNICATION CONSORTIUM
TO: 4562878
MAY
2.
1997
6:00PM
#206
P.02
Adoptalk
A Publication of the North American Council on Adoptable Children
Spring 1997
Federal Adoption Initiatives
To address the most common problem
that lands children in care-parental sub-
Move Forward
stance abuse-the Senate's new legislation
also requires that states give priority to
by Joe Krull, Executive Director
parents who are referred by the state or a
local child welfare agency for substance
P
ermanent families mean everything to
"Reasonable Efforts" to Reunite
abuse treatment. Timely provision of
children in foster care. If federal
Families
treatment should accelerate permanency
adoption reform is truly to benefit
As amended in 1996, the Child Abuse
planning decision-making (for reunifica-
children, and double the number of foster
Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
tion or another alternative), and conse-
children who find permanence by the year
requires that "reasonable efforts" must be
quently shorten the length of time that
2002, families must be enabled and
made 10 keep families together, unless a
children spend in care. Because data sug-
empowered to provide homes for children
child's parents are found to have killed or
gests that many parents whose children are
who wait. Happily, several federal initia-
seriously injured one or more of their chil-
in care have abused drugs and/or alcohol,
tives are giving rise to new hope.
dren (or to have contributed to those
this provision is particularly important.
actions). A conviction for murder,
NACAC has not officially endorsed pend-
manslaughter, or serious injury is grounds
Expediting Permanency
ing legislation, but we welcome existing
for termination of parental rights (TPR).
To speed the rate at which states make and
action, and applaud the direction in which
review permanency plans for children in
the House of Representatives and Senate
While HHS has been working on adminis-
care. all three plans-H.R. 867, S. 511. and
are heading. Below are highlights of three
trative guidance for CAPTA (due out by
HHS recommendations issued carlier this
current plans from the House, Senate, and
April 14, 1997), the House and Senate have
year in response to the President's Adop-
Department of Health and Human
developed legislation that also addresses
tion Initiative-set a time limit of 12
Services (IIIIS) that could make a signifi-
issues of child safety. The Adoption
months after entry into care (versus 18
cant difference to children in foster care.
Promotion Act of 1997 (H.R. 867), intro-
months) for states 10 hold dispositional or
duced February 27th by Representatives
"permanency planning" hearings. Both
Inside
David Camp (R-MI) and Barbara Ken-
HHS and the Senate bill also suggest that
nelly (D-CT), provides that efforts to keep
status reviews be conducted at 6 month
2 NACAC Introduces New Board
a child in or return a child to his or her
intervals, instead of the 12 month time-
Members
home are not required in cases involving
frame set by the Adoption Assistance and
"aggravated circumstances"-if, for exam-
Child Welfare Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-272).
3 Going and Growing through Grief
ple. the child has been abandoned. tor-
and Loss: Parenting Traumatized
tured, or chronically abused. Children's
S. 511 language carefully emphasizes "per-
Adopted Children
safety is also a theme of the Senate's Safe
manency" in the planning process for fus-
5 Family Group Decision Making:
Adoptions and Family Environments
ter children. If enacted, the bill would re-
Implications for Permanency
(SAFE) Act (S. 511). introduced on March
place existing references to a child's "future
Planning
20th by a bipartisan group of Senators.
status" (which include options such as
short- and long-term foster care) with a
8 23rd Annual NACAC Conference
Funding for Reunification Efforts
list of "permanency plans" that specify if
9 NACAC Honors
In cases where reunification efforts are fea-
and when a child might return to his or her
sible, children sometimes spend unneces-
parent(s), be referred for TPR, be placed
10 Taking Flight
sary time in care while their birth parents
for adoption. or be "referred for legal
12 National, State, and Provincial News
await required services (and agencies await
guardianship, or other planned permanent
the funds to provide the service). To assure
living arrangement" (§ 302; 10-17).
14 Conferences
that local agencies can provide services in
16 NACAC Publications
a timely fashion, the Senate's SAFE Act
When a state's goal for a child is adoption
allows states to collect reimbursements for
or another permanent placement, the Sen-
17 Resources
reunification services that occur within a
are bill requires states to make "reasonable
19 How Are We Doing?
year from the date a child enters care.
continued on page 2
FROM: COMMUNICATION CONSORTIUM
TO: 4562878
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2,
1997
6:01PM
#206
P.03
NACAC Introduces New Board
They have one grown son and a new
granddaughter. Kathy is also stepmother to
Members
two more grown children and step-grand-
ma to five additional grandchildren.
$ we extend a sincere thank you to
A
A resident of Calgary, Alberta, Barrie
departing board member Jim
Shibley is a treaty-status Indian and mem-
Cadwell (who served NACAC
ber of the Carry-The-Kettle First Nation in
faithfully for eight years), NACAC is
Saskatchewan. He combines interest in his
pleased to announce the addition of two
heritage with a background in investment
new board members who are already prov-
management at the newly established
ing themselves to be valuable contributors.
Aboriginal Investment Management Cor-
When Kathy Deserly began working with
Kathy Deserly
Barrie Shibley
poration, and also spends time working
with Aboriginal and adoption-related
tribal education programs in 1973, she was
Child Welfare Specialist for Montana's
organizations. Currently, Barrie is a board
planning on a career in elementary educa-
Department of Public Health and Human
member of the Canadian Council for
tion. That goal changed in 1981 when she
Services-a position created in 1987 to
Aboriginal Business, the Aboriginal
joined the Indian Child Welfare Consor-
promote compliance with ICWA. She
Professional Association, and the Calgary
tium, one of the first Indian child welfare
works closely with seven reservations in
Chamber of Commerce. From 1990 to
programs established after the Indian
Montana and with off-reservation Native
Child Welfare Act (ICWA) became law.
1995, he also chaired the advisory board
American child welfare programs, and
for Adoption Options in Alberta.
Twelve years later. when she left her posi-
believes her most important tasks involve
tion as Assistant Director, the Consortium
listening to people's needs, respecting dif-
Mr. Shibley's interest in adoption is life-
had grown from a small case management
ferences, and looking for common ground
long. He is an adoptee, and the father of
program into a state-licensed foster care
between the state and the tribes when it
three girls-two of whom are adopted.
and adoption agency; it is still California's
comes to making decisions about Native
When asked for additional personal infor-
only Native American adoption agency.
American children's welfare.
mation, Barrie shares that he cannot sing
or dance well, but he believes (even if his
After spending another two years with the
On a personal note, Kathy's husband of 25
friends do not) that he is an exceedingly
National Indian Child Welfare Association,
years is a member of the Assiniboine tribe
gifted golfer.
Kathy secured her current job as Indian
of the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana.
Federal Adoption Initiatives Move Forward continued from page 1
efforts" to place children "in a timely man-
gives birth parents fair opportunities to
To help state agencies, courts, and commu-
ner" and finalize all adoptions or legal
reclaim kin without robbing children of
nities reach heightened adoption goals, all
guardianship arrangements. Some juris-
their chance for timely permanence.
three initiatives provide for "technical
dictions-like Jefferson County in Ken-
assistance" in the form of grants and/or
tucky--already conduct post-TPR reviews
Adoption Incentives
guidelines. Both HHS and H.R. 867 call for
every six months 10 make sure workers are
The "bottom line" in the adoption initia-
a three-year period of assistance funded by
live President Clinton announced late last
actively pursuing adoption plans for chil-
an annual $10 million budget appropria-
dren in their case load.
year centers around dramatically increas-
tion-during which IIIIS can issue adop-
ing (doubling from 27,000 to 54,000) the
tion-related guidelines, training curricu-
The House bill contains a more controver-
number of foster children who are adopt-
lum, and best practice models; facilitate
sial provision to expedite permanency. If
ed from the child welfare system each year.
information exchange; and/or award
the current version of H.R. 867 were enact-
To reach that goal, HHS has proposed that
grants to collaboratives that promote spe-
ed, states would be required to initiate TPR
numerical adoption and guardianship tar-
cial needs adoption. S. 511 includes a $50
actions for children under the age of 10
gets be set by September 30, 1997.
who have been in state care for 18 of the
million "innovation grant" allotment for
past 24 months. States could avoid initiat-
Taking a slightly different tack, the House
projects that promote adoption (or other
ing TPR actions under those circum-
bill proposes that $108 million be allocat-
permanent placements) and child safety.
stances only if the child were in a relative's
ed over five years to fund "adoption bu-
HHS also proposes a means by which to
care or a state court determined that TPR
nuses" for states that increase adoptive
reinforce exemplary work on behalf of
were not in the child's best interest.
placements of foster children. For place-
ments that exceed a state's annual "base
adoption: an annual awards presentation
to coincide with the commemoration of
Ideally. this House provision should apply
number" of adoptions, each state would
National Adoption Month in November
to all foster children, not just those
receive a $4,000 bonus for each foster child
deemed "more adoptable" by virtue of
who is placed for adoption. and an addi-
Title IV-E Amendments
their relative youth. Fortunately, both HHS
tional $2,000 for every special needs child
Title IV-E adoption assistance agreements
and the House bill also endorse concurrent
whom the state places in an adoptive
strongly impact adoptive families' ability
planning-a practice which allows for the
home. States must then use the bonus
to care for children with special needs. As
simultaneous provision of reunification
monies to cover foster care expenses
currently written, the Senate's SAFE Act
and alternative permanency planning ser-
and/or fund adoption subsidies and other
proposes two significant improvements to
vices within a structured framework that
post-adoption services.
continued on page 15
FROM: COMMUNICATION CONSORTIUM
TO:4562878
MAY
2,
1997
6:02PM
#206
P.04
Conferences
July 21-25: Hands Around The World
call the Continuing Education program
serving agencies, supporting public policy
(HATW). a culture camp for African
for Penn State University at 717-531-6856.
that affirms and strengthens kinship fam-
American. Latin American, Asian, Korean.
To reach SWAN, write to 5021 E. Trindle
ilies, and working toward excellence in
Chinese, and Filipino adopted children
Rd., Suite 300, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-
kinship care services. To obtain more
and their siblings, will hold this year's
3622; or call 717-766-6449 or 800-445-
information about this event, contact
week-long event at St. Joseph The Worker
2444.
CWLA, 440 First St., N.W., Suite 310,
School in Wheeling, Illinois. The registra-
Washington, D.C. 20001-2085; 202-638-
tion deadline is July 1, 1997 and HATW
August 1-3: A Thai Family Reunion-for
2952/fax 202-638-4004.
cordially invites anyone who has been
people who have adopted children from
touched by a cross-culture adoption to
Thailand-will be held at the Litchfield
participate. To learn more about participa-
Inn in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. A
Teresa
block of rooms has been reserved and the
tion and volunteer opportunities, contact
HATW, c/o Gail Walton, 1417 F.. Miner St.,
reservation cut-off date is July 1, 1997. To
Arlington Heights, IL 60004; 847-255-
learn more, contact Mary Lou and Ernie
8309.
von der Lancken, 287 Kings River Rd.,
Pawleys Island, SC. 29585; 803-237-2541
July 23-25: Sponsored by the Statewide
(home); 803-237-4218, ext. 256 or 800-
Adoption Network (SWAN), Pennsylva-
849-1931, ext. 256 (work).
nia's Sixth Annual Adoption Conference
will take place at the Holiday Inn-
August 13-15: The Fairmont Hotel in San
Harrisburg East in Harrisburg. Pennsyl-
Francisco, California is hosting the Child
vania. Scheduled workshops will feature
Welfare League of America's (CWLA)
both philosophical and practical informa-
National Kinship Care Conference, "Kin-
tion about taking care of children as they
ship Care: A Natural Bridge." Participants
who attend the conference will focus on
move through the adoption process. For
more information about the conference,
improving relationships between family-
Federal Adoption Initiatives Move Forward continued from page 2
Born in July of 1984. 12-year-old Teresa
current adoption assistance practice. First.
and IV-E programs. HHS proposes to
has a fun sense of humor and is gener-
S. 511 would make it casier for families to
compile an annual state-by-state report
ally friendly and engaging. She responds
qualify for adoption assistance by climi-
which will provide details on factors such
positively to adult attention, and likes to
nating requirements that link a child's
as the number of foster children who are
help with houschold chores until she
adoption assistance eligibility to his or her
permanently placed, the length of time
figures she has done her share.
eligibility for AFDC (TANF) and SSI. If an
children spend in care, and the degree to
Emotionally, Teresa is a few years
adoptive parent dies, or a child is re-placed
which permanency decisions are made in a
behind her actual age, and though a 6th
for adoption after an initial adoption dis-
timely manner. HHS also plans 10 monitor
grader. she works at a 4th grade level in
solves, the bill also allows for adoption
the outcomes of several subsidized
a self-contained classroom. Because of
assistance to move with the child to his or
guardianship projects made possible
her common sense, "people sense," and
her new adoptive family. Hopefully, this
through the Title IV-E waiver program.
verbal skills, Teresa's mental limitations
transferability can be extended to guar-
are not initially apparent. She tests in
Conclusion
dianship situations as well.
the moderate disability range, but func-
NACAC congratulates the leadership on
rions in the mild to borderline range.
In addition, if HHS recommendations and
capital hill and in the White House for
Teresa needs a family that will accept
certain House and Senate provisions
doing their part to make the safety and
her mental and developmental chal-
become law, five more states will have an
well-being of foster children a true priori-
lenges and her history of abuse, and
opportunity to run innovative demonstra-
ty. We are heartened by the widespread
provide nurturing and structure.
tion projects through the Title IV-E waiver
bipartisan support for child welfare system
Though she is an affectionate child,
program. All three plans propose to raise
changes, because it demonstrates that lead-
Teresa needs time and must be allowed
the number of authorized waivers from 10
ers have come to understand the desperate
to set the pace on emotional closeness.
to 15.
plight of foster children who become lost
She also needs to maintain contact with
Research Studies
in a system that too often elevates parental
a brother who is in residential treatment
rights above children's welfare. With vocal
As is common to many legislative propos-
in another state. While she is relieved to
als, all three initiatives provide for ongoing
support from constituents who appreciate
not be responsible for him anymore, she
the importance of legislation that pro-
studies and record keeping. The House
misses him and feels guilty about trying
motes children's (and thus the nation's)
calls for a study about the use and viability
adoption without him. To learn more
best interests, elected officials can continue
of kinship care as a permanency alterna-
about Teresa, please contact Children
forward with their initiatives and pave the
tive. and the development of outcome
Awaiting Parents, Inc. (CAP #6927), 700
road for positive change.
measures to assess states' use of Title IV-B
Exchange St., Rochester, NY 14608;
716-232-5110.
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
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visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
A
FRAMEWORK FOR
FOSTER CARE REFORM
POLICY AND PRACTICE TO SHORTEN
CHILDREN'S STAYS
North American Council
on Adoptable Children
970 Raymond Avenue, Suite 106
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114
phone: 612-644-3036
JOE KROLL
fax: 612-644-9848
Executive Director
email: [email protected]
NORTH AMERICAN COUNCIL ON ADOPTABLE CHILDREN
WITH SUPPORT FROM THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION