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It
4288 West Dublin-Granville Road
DAVE THOMAS
P.O. Box 7164
FOUNDATION
Dublin, Ohio 43017
(614) 764-3009
Fax: (614) 764-6707
FOR ADOPTION
September 11, 1998
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
R. David Thomas
Rom Olie has singinal
Founder, Chairman of the Board
Mrs. William J. Clinton
Charles W. Rath
First Lady
President
The White House
Gordon F. Teter
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dennis L. Lynch
Secretary
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
Ronald E. Musick
Treasurer
It has been an honor for me to be your guest at the
Donald F. Calhoon
White House on a number of occasions to participate in
Emil J. Brolick
ceremonies celebrating the joys of adoption.
Kathleen A. McGinnis
You have been very generous with your time and
commitment to the cause of adoption. I applaud your
Hon. Evelyn Stratton
Supreme Court of Ohio
efforts and thank you for your passionate support.
Pamela Thomas Farber
Mrs. Clinton, another opportunity has arisen to promote
Larry Fleming
awareness of the thousands of foster children
desperately awaiting adoption. Our foundation is
Nancy Near
leading an effort to ask the U.S. Postal Service to issue a
Hon. Yvette McGee Brown
stamp celebrating the joys of adoption.
Franklin Co. Court of Common Pleas
I know that U.S. Postmaster General Bill Henderson
truly enjoyed spending time with you at the recent
unveiling of the new breast cancer awareness stamp.
There is much anticipation for the success of this stamp.
I believe there is an equal need to raise awareness for
the many children stuck in the foster care system.
I am writing to ask your support of this effort and for
you to make a personal call to Mr. Henderson endorsing
the need for an adoption stamp. The next meeting of the
Citizen Stamp Advisory Committee is scheduled for Oct.
1st and 2ⁿᵈ. I am committed to do whatever I can to
Jann Heffner
Executive Director
-2-
convince the postal service to approve the issuance of an adoption
stamp. I have also asked both houses of Congress to sign letters of
support, and our team has collected 10,000 signatures from the general
public in support of the stamp. In addition, I have a scheduled phone
call with the Postmaster General on Friday, Sept. 18th, at 9:30 am.
I know you share my passion for the children in need of loving families
and permanent homes. I hope you agree that a postal stamp is one way
that the federal government can raise positive awareness of adoption
and help achieve the goals of the Adoption and Safe Families Act which
you supported last year. I also hope you can find time in your busy day
to call Mr. Henderson and encourage his support.
I would consider your help on this issue a personal favor and I look
forward to hearing from you. If you need more details, please call
Denny Lynch, president of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption,
at 614/764-3553.
Sincerely,
Dave
R. David Thomas
SEP 23 '98 17:44 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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P.02/19
WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
R. DAVID THOMAS
WENDY'S
Senior Chairman of me Board & Founder
OLD FASHIONED
HAMBURGERS.
September 18,1998
Hon. William J. Henderson
Postmaster General
United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.
Room 10022
Washington D.C. 20260-1010
Dear Mr. Henderson:
I really enjoyed speaking with you this morning about the creation of a
commemorative stamp celebrating adoption.
Enclosed is our formal proposal along with over 11,000 signatures from
people across the United States who support the idea.
As I mentioned on the phone, an adoption stamp could raise a tremendous
amount of awareness for the thousands of children waiting for a permanent
home and loving family. I am ready to do whatever I can to make our
adoption stamp dream a reality.
Thank you for your support, and I look forward to hearing from you after the
Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee meeting on October 2ⁿᵈ.
Warm regards,
Dave mornas
R. David Thomas
enclosures
4288 WEST DUBLIN GRANVILLE ROAD. DUBLIN, OHIO 43017 TELEPHONE (614) 764-3100
SEP 23 '98 17:48 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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P.18/19
INI
WILLIAM J. HENDERSON
Copiesto: Donny L.
POSTMASTER GENERAL CEO
RECEIVED
mary 3.
Kristin in
$
UNITED STATES
POSTAL SERVICE
September 15, 1998
Mr. R. David Thomas
Senior Chairman of the Board
and Founder
Wendy's International, Inc.
4288 West Dublin Granville Road
Dublin, OH 43017-2093
Dear Mr. Thomas:
Thank you for your recent letter expressing your continued support for the development of a
commemorative stamp that would serve to heighten public awareness of the vast number of
children available for permanent adoption.
The nomination of adoption will be resubmitted to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee for
reconsideration at the October meeting. As you know, the Committee is responsible for reviewing
stamp proposals and making subject and design recommendations to me. We will advise you
of the Committee's recommendation regarding your proposal following the meeting in October.
Once again, your interest in our stamp program is very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
William J. Henderson
475 L'ENFANT PLAZA SW
WASHINGTON DC 20260-0010
202-268-2500
FAX: 202-268-4860
SEP 23 '98 17:48 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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P. 19/19
nul - 10're
S. DAVID FINEMAN
Cupiest Denny Lynch
GOVERNOR
mary Schall RECEIVED
UNITED STATES
Kristin Marshalls 18 1998
POSTAL SERVICE
September 11, 1998
R. David Thomas
Senior Chairman of the Board & Founder
Wendy's International, Inc.
4288 West Dublin Granville Road
Dublin, OH 43017
Dear Mr. Thomas:
I am in receipt of your letter of September 3, 1998 in support of a United States Postal stamp
regarding adoption.
I am sending a copy of this letter to William Henderson, the Postmaster General, and to Azeezaly
Jaffer, the Manager of Stamp Services who is responsible for stamp activities.
I am also very much in support of a stamp which, in your words, would " celebrate the joys of
adoption and to create awareness for the thousands of children who are awaiting loving familics and
permanent homes." You should be aware that I am the proud parent of two adopted children. I can assure
you that our family, without the process of adoption, would never have been complete. For your
information, our two boys -- Ben, age 12, and Sam, age 8, are doing well. Along with them, I would look
forward with you to celebrating the issuance of a stamp honoring the institution of adoption.
As you might know, the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service plays no role in
the sclection of stamp subjects but, rather, it is a function of the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee. I
want to take this opportunity to thank you for your letter and hope that the Citizen's Stamp Advisory
Committee will notify us shortly about the issuance of a stamp honoring the process of adoption.
Thank you again, for your letter and it is my honor to join with you in this most noble causc.
Very 20H
truly
S. FINEMAN
SDF/mkr
CC:
William Henderson
Azeezaly Jaffer
P.S. Blouse to feel call. eall ime office me if -8701
475 L'ENFANT PLAZA SW
WASHINGTON DC 20260-1000
215-893-8701
FAX: 215-893-1161
Pree at Phila. my law at 215-893-
** TOTAL PAGE. 19 **
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Why An Adoption Stamp?
The Need
One hundred thousand children in this country desperately need our help. They
are often passed from home to home. And they dream of getting to stay some day.
Of attending the same school year after year. Of making friends and not saying
good-bye. Most of all, they dream of having a permanent family who loves them.
They are America's waiting children. They are waiting to be adopted.
In America today, more than 600,000 boys and girls are in the foster care
system an estimated 100,000 of them are waiting to be adopted. That's
100,000 too many. And with the passage of the 1997 Adoption & Safe
Families Act, experts predict that number will double within the next few
years. Even one child without a permanent home is wrong.
Waiting children come in all shapes and sizes, colors and ages. Some may be
medically fragile or want to be adopted with a brother or sister. But they all have
such wonderful potential They want nothing more than the millions of other
children growing up in America. a chance for love, protection and support in a
busy, scary world.
The Celebration
There are literally thousands of joyous families formed every year through
adoption. And there are more successes every day.
Adoption organizations throughout the United States work hard to help waiting
children and adoptive parents find each other. Here are some of the ways they
help and their recent successes in raising awareness about the joys of adoption:
Nearly 172 million people have seen the current television public service
announcement promoting the National Adoption Center's toll-free hotline and
Web site.
The National Adoption Center received more than 30,000 calls to their 1-800-
TO-ADOPT number in 1997, and more than 1.2 million hits to their Faces of
Ado prion web site in the last six months.
65% of the Fortune 1000 companies now offer some form of adoption benefits
to their employees.
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P.05/19
Why a Stamp?
Adoptive parents and children tell us that the most important thing we can do to
help other waiting children is to continue to raise awareness among Americans about
the children who are available. Because many potential parents give up. And many
children lose hope.
A postal stamp can help those who are waiting serve as a way to understand that
there is a family for them. Adoption does bring joy to moms, dads, children, and
grandparents every day. As a matter of fact, according to current estimates,
approximately 2% to 4% of American families include an adopted child.
Now is a great time for the United States Postal Service to help bring national
attention to this important issue-the needs of America's waiting boys and girls—
and at the same time, help America celebrate the joys adoption brings to thousands
of families every day.
An adoption postage stamp would help communicate these important messages on a
personal level to every man, woman, and child the postal system serves-and
perhaps even help a child find a permanent, loving home.
We've got to make life better for these children. And together we can do it. one
child at a time. Because adoption works.
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4288 W. Dublin Granville Road
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Dave Thomas
Foundation
for Adoption
Fax
To:
Nicole Rabnor
From: Kristin Marshall, Assoc. Dir.
Fax:
Phone: (614) 764-8406, Fax (614) 764-6707
Phone:
Date:
Re:
CC:
Urgent
For Review
Please Comment
Please Reply
Please Recycle
Comments:
Nicole:
If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call.
Kristin
SEP 23 '98 17:44 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
them
R. DAVID THOMAS
WENDY'S
Senior Chairman of the Board & Founder
OLD FASHIONED
HAMBURGERS
September 18, 1998
Dr. Virginia Noelke
Chairperson
Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee
475 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W.
Washington D.C. 20260-2435
Dear Dr. Noelke:
I am please to submit a proposal to create a commemorative stamp celebrating adoption. Also, I've
included over 11,000 signatures from people around the United States who support our idea.
Did you know that there are 600,000 children in foster care, with over 100,000 of them currently
waiting for adoption? Almost a year ago, Congress enacted the Adoption and Safe Families Act of
1997 which limits the amount of time children can spend in foster care. As the new law is
implemented, thousands more of these children will move out of foster care and become available
for adoption.
I know the importance of growing up in a permanent home with a loving family because I was
adopted.
By issuing a commemorative stamp celebrating adoption, the United States Postal Service can play
an important role in raising awareness about these children.
Over the past few months, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption along with many members
of Congress and several national adoprion organizations have joined together in gathering support
of a postal stamp to celebrating the joys of adoption and to create awareness for the thousands of
children who are awaiting loving families and permanent homes.
While there are many noble causes and historic occasions deserving of such an honor, the
awareness that an adoption stamp would create could find permanent homes for many of these
deserving children. The two or three years it takes to initiate this process is a lifetime to some of
these waiting children. I hope that you will give our idea special consideration and join us in our
mission of finding a home for every waiting child.
If you have questions about this submission, please don't hesitate to call me, or Denny Lynch,
President, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption at (614) 764-3413.
Warm regards,
Dave
momes
R. David Thomas
4288 WEST DUBLIN GRANVILLE ROAD. DUBLIN. OHIO 43017 TELEPHONE (614) 764-3100
SEP 23 '98 17:45 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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Adoption Stamp Campaign
Mission
The mission of creating a postal stamp is to celebrate the joys ado ption brings to
everyone; and to create awareness for the thousands of children in the United States
who are waiting for a permanent home and a loving family.
Campaign Objectives
Create awareness of the joys ado ption brings to everyone through a special
stamp issuance.
Increase awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care awaiting a
permanent home and loving family in the United States today.
SEP 23 '98 17:45 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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(1) Adoption Stamp Design Contest
Generate awareness for the Adoption Stamp by hosting a national contest for
children touched by adoption to create a design that demonstrates the feeling of joy
and celebration that adoption has brought to their lives. Since specific stamp
designers create the visuals for each stamp, use the contest submissions as
inspiration for the final stamp design by the postal service.
How The Contest Works
Invite children waiting for adoption, children who have been adopted, siblings
of adopted children, and children or grandchildren of adoptees to participate.
-
Place entry forms/contest information in post offices nationwide, as
well as online at the National Adoption Center, Dave Thomas
Foundation/Wendy's and other adoption Web sites.
Work with a fulfillment house to serve as the central receiver of entries.
-
Fulfillment house reviews entries and narrows them down to a
specified number (for example 25 to 50) for review by judges.
Panel of judges including stamp designers, Postal Service officials, government
officials and famous adoptees select five finalists; from those finalist, select
one winner.
-
Winning artwork is used as the "inspiration" for the ultimate stamp
design created by Postal Service designers or is used as the actual
stamp.
Publicity Opportunities
Choose five major markets to hold contest kick-off parties inside or in front of
local post offices.
-
If timing permits, kick-off during November, National Adoption
Month and host one event as the DTFA's November adoption event.
-
Arrange for Dave Thomas to visit one of the local post office events.
-
Coordinate groups of children waiting for adoption to draw their
stamps and enter the contest at the post office stamp party.
SEP 23 '98 17:45 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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P.08/19
-
Other party activities will include creating a mural to hang in that post
office depicting an adoption visual, and/or a letter writing campaign to
the postal service in support of the stamp.
Conduct a publicity campaign to generate awareness of the stamp and the
contest, including activities such as:
-
Generate broadcast publicity around local post office events by
inviting media to attend and providing b-roll to outlets unable to be
on-site. Pitch the event featuring Dave Thomas for national
publicity.
-
Distribute press materials to a comprehensive list of national and local
market print media. Offer telephone interviews with Dave and
postal service spokesperson(s).
-
Utilize adoption Web sites to spread the word, including contest
information, updates, rules, etc.
-
Develop an awareness tool kit to provide to other national adoption
agencies, local adoption partners and local post offices, including "fill-
in-the-blank" press materials, instructions on working with media, etc.
-
Create tumkey press materials and ideas for promoting the program
through adoption agencies and the Wendy's partners.
Select five "finalist" designs to be put on display at a high-profile children's
museum (in New York or Washington, D.C.) and at post offices across the
country.
-
Based on the process for the actual stamp design, select one winner
whose artwork serves as the inspiration for the final stamp design.
-
Invite the five finalists and/or the winner to attend the official
unveiling ceremony of the final stamp design.
Conduct a stamp design "unveiling" event at a prominent post office in New
York City or Washington, D.C., featuring the finalists and/or winner, Dave
Thomas, postal officials, and celebrities and/or government figures with a
connection to adoption.
-
If timing permits, hold during National Adoption Month in
November.
-
Invite high-profile people with a connection to adoption, including
nationally-known celebrities if held in New York or White House
officials/government leaders if held in Washington, D.C.
-
Provide a tool kit to local adoption agencies, Wendy's system and local
post offices to replicate events in local markets nationwide.
SEP 23 '98 17:46 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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(2) Adoption Stamp letter Writing Contest
Create awareness for the Adoption Stamp by hosting a national contest for children
touched by adoption asking for letters on why they support the Adoption Stamp
and have reason to celebrate adoption. Use the winning letter as inspiration for the
final stamp design.
How The Contest Works
Invite children waiting for adoption, children who have been adoption, siblings
of adopted children, and children or grandchildren of adoptees to participate.
-
Place contest information/entry forms in post offices nationwide, as
well as online at the National Adoption Center, DTFA/Wendy's and
other adoption Web sites.
Work with a fulfillment house to serve as the central receiver of entries.
-
Fulfillment house reviews entries and narrows them down to a
specified number (for example 25 to 50) for review by judges.
Panel of judges including stamp designers, Postal Service officials, government
officials and famous adoptees select ten finalists; from those finalist, select one
winner.
-
Winning letter is used as the "inspiration" for the ultimate stamp
design created by Postal Service designers.
Publicity Opportunities
Choose five major markets to hold contest kick-off parties inside or in front of
local post offices.
-
If timing permits, kick-off during November, National Adoption
Month and host one event as the Dave Thomas Foundation's
November adoption event.
-
Arrange for Dave Thomas to visit one of the post office events to
read letters written in advance by waiting children on the joy adoption
holds for them; provide letters to spokespersons for events in other
markets.
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Coordinate groups of children waiting for adoption and recent
adoptees to be the first contest entrants by writing their own letters at
the post office stamp party.
Conduct a publicity campaign to generate awareness of the stamp and the
contest, including activities such as:
-
Generate broadcast publicity around post office events with by
inviting media to attend and providing b-roll to outlets unable to be
on-site. Pitch the event featuring Dave Thomas for national
publicity.
-
Distribute press materials to a comprehensive list of national and local
market print media. Offer telephone interviews with Dave and
postal service spokesperson(s).
-
Utilize adoption Web sites to spread the word, including contest
information, updates, rules, etc.
-
Develop an awareness tool kit to provide to other national adoption
agencies, local adoption partners and local post offices, including "fill-
in-the-blank" press materials, instructions on working with media, etc.
Select ten finalists whose letters will be put on display at post offices across
the country.
-
Based on the process for the actual stamp design, select one winner
whose letter serves as the inspiration for the final stamp design.
-
Invite the ten finalists and/or the winner to attend the official
unveiling ceremony of the final stamp design.
Conduct a stamp design "unveiling" event at a prominent post office in New
York City or Washington, D.C., featuring the finalists and/or winner, postal
officials, Dave Thomas and celebrities and/or government figures with a
connection to adoption.
-
If timing permits, hold during National Adoption Month in
November.
-
Invite high-profile people with a connection to adoption, including
nationally-known celebrities if held in New York or White House
officials/govemment leaders if held in Washington, D.C.
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25TH ANNIVERSARY
NATIONAL ADOPTION CENTER
A
LIFETIMED
1500 Walnut St. Suite 701
Carolyn L. Johnson
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Executive Director
215.735.9988 Fax 215.735.9410
www.adopt.org
e-mail: [email protected]
July 2, 1998
Jann Heffner
Executive Director
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
PO Box 7164
Dublin, OH 43017
Dear Jann,
I was delighted to learn that you and Dave Thomas are working on the creation of a
National Adoption Stamp. I believe that such a stamp will bring the needed national
awareness to the issue of adoption. As you know, we need to make people aware that
adoption is a joyful and natural way to build a family. My understanding is that one out
of three people in the U.S. are touched by adoption in a very personal way...as an
adoptive parent, birth parent, adoptee or by having a close friend or extended family in
one of these circumstances.
The National Adoption Center applauds and supports your efforts. Please let me know
if there's anything more we can do to be supportive.
Sincerely yours,
Carolyn Johnson
Executive Caralyn Director
CLJ:pp
"There are no unwanted cbildren.. just unfound families"
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aask
AMERICA
July 1, 1998
Ms. Jann Heffner
Executive Director
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Box 7164
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Dear Jann,
We are pleased to endorse the creation of an Adoption Stamp by
the U.S. Postal Service.
Every day the Postal Service delivers 630 million pieces of
mail. That represents 630 million opportunities to remind the
American public of the desperate need millions of children have for
permanent, loving adoptive homes. Commemorative stamps are a
wonderfully effective, inexpensive way to raise the public's
consciousness about important issues that otherwise might go
unnoticed.
It's amazing to consider that something as simple as a stamp
could convey such a powerful message. We believe this project will
do just that.
Good luck.
Sincerely,
Maureen K. Hogan
Executive Director
Adopt a Special Kid
226 - 4th Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 388-3888
Fax (202) 544-9034
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P.13/19
970 RAYMOND AVENUE SUITE 106
ST. PAUL MN 55114-1149
NACAC
612-644-3036 FAX 612-644-9848
July 8, 1998
Jann Heffner
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
4288 West Dublin Granville Road
Dublin, OH 43017
Dear Jann:
The North American Council on Adoptable Children endorses efforts of the Dave
Thomas Foundation on Adoption to encourage the U.S. Postal Service to print a
postage stamp featuring adoption. The stamp would increase awareness among the
general public regarding adoption. We would be happy to advertise its availability
through our publications and encourage our members to request it when they
purchase stamps.
Sincerely
Jolicall Joe Kroll
Executive Director
NORTH AMERICAN COUNCIL ON ADOPTABLE CHILDREN
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THE
6 EAST 94TH STREET NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10128 IEL 212 360.0280 FAX: 212 360.0293
EVAN B. DONALDSON
ADOPTION
INSTITUTE
July 3, 1998
Ms. Jann Heffner
Executive Director
The Dave Thomas Foundation
PO Box 7164
4288 W. Dublin-Granville Road
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Dear Jann;
It is with pleasure that I write this letter of support on behalf of your efforts to have created a
commemorative United States postage stamp recognizing and celebrating adoption.
Like The Dave Thomas Foundation, The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute is deeply
committed to promoting public awareness of adoption. The need for such effort was made
quite clear when our Institute conducted a national public opinion survey about adoption.
We found that a significant percentage of Americans have no personal experience with
adoption and often turn, as a result, to news and other media coverage of adoption - sources
likely to concentrate on bitter adoption disputes and tragic outcomes. There has been little in
the way of positive promotion of adoption as an important and viable form of family to
counteract the negative images of adoption that the media conveys.
An adoption postage stamp would provide such positive recognition. As the number of
children who need adoptive families continues to grow, both in this country and abroad, it
would highlight our society's commitment to these children and the families who embrace
them. It is difficult to image a more effective or positive tool than a stamp acknowledging the
value of adoption for children and families alike.
We join your organization in urging the United Stamps Postal Service to create a postage
stamp recognizing and celebrating adoption. Please let us know if we can be of further
assistance in this very worthy endeavor.
Sincerely,
Onadely Fundlich
Madelyn Freundlich
Executive Director
SEP 23 '98 17:47 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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P.15/19
NAIC
National Adoption
information Clearinghouse
July 3, 1998
Ms. Jann Heffner
Executive Director
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
P.O. Box 7164
Dublin, Ohio 43017
Dear Ms. Heffner:
The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse is delighted to confirm our support of your initiative
to arrange with the U.S. Postal Service for the design and dissemination of an "Adoption" postage
stamp. A commemorative postage stamp featuring adoption would help to raise America's awareness of
the positive benefits adoption provides to children who need families. According to current estimates,
approximately 2% to 4% of American families include an adopted child. Additionally 6 out of 10
Americans polled in a 1998 study funded by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute claimed a
personal connection to adoption, either adopting themselves or knowing a relative or friend touched by
adoption.
The timing for an adoption postage stamp could not be better. On December 14, 1997, President
William Clinton announced his Adoption 2002 initiative directing the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services to work collaborative with states to double the numbers of children adopted from the
public child welfare system. In addition, in 1998 the U.S. Congress passed Federal legislation entitled
the Adoption and Safe Families Act (P.L. 105-89) which requires states to pass state laws which will
reduce the time that children spend in foster care and will encourage adoption and other permanency
options for such children.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's lead in this initiative will help to bring together other
adoption organizations supporting the creation and dissemination of such a stamp, including adoption
agencies, adoptive parent support groups across the United States, and national adoption organizations.
We wish you every success in your meeting with U.S. Postal Service.
Sincerely yours,
Mary Suceivan
Mary Sullivan
Project Director
330 C Street. $W L Washington. DC 20447 L (703) 352.33884 (8$S) 251-0075
FAX: (703) 352-32064 e-mail: [email protected]&world Wide web: http://www.calib.com/naic
SEP 23 '98 17:47 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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P.16/19
Faces of Adoption
http://www.adopt.org/adop
cap
Peggy Soule
On the Internet
Executive Director
-
Publisher of
The CAP Book®
R
Children Awaiting Parents, Inc.
700 Exchange Street Rochester, NY 14608 / 716-232-5110 / Fax 716-232-2634 / E-Mail: [email protected]
July 1, 1998
Ms. Jann Heffner
Executive Director
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
P.O. Box 7164
Dublin, OH 43017
Dear Jann:
We at Children Awaiting Parents were excited to learn of the idea of creating an
adoption stamp. This would be a wonderful way to celebrate adoption and to give a
message to our country that adoption plays a significant role in many people's lives.
The birth parents who make an adoption plan, the parents who adopt, the children and
adults who have been adopted and the waiting children could all benefit from this
reminder that adoption is part of our culture.
We at CAP are always looking for appropriate stamps to use as we mail to our
constituents. This would be a wonderful reminder that adoption is always with us and
something to be considered by all. A stamp brings endorsement, acceptance and
celebration to a process that has benefitted thousands upon thousand of people in our
country.
We send our full support to you as you pursue this idea. I can think of no
greater tribute from the U.S. Postal Service than to honor all those who not only live
adoption but support it as a way to build a family and find homes for waiting children.
Sincerely yours,
Peggy Socle
Peggy Soule
Dedicated To Finding Adoptive Homes For Waiting Children
SEP 23 '98 17:47 FR WENDYS CORP COMM
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P.17/19
HILDREN
SINGHAMICHS
Spaulding
for Children
Judith McKenzie, M.S.W.
President
The National Resource Center for Special Needs Adoption
YEARS
1968-1998
Friday
July 10, 1998
Ms. Jann Heffner
Executive Director
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
4288 W. Dublin Granville Rd.
Dublin, MI 43017
Dear Ms. Heffner:
Spaulding for Children believes every child is adoptable and never gives up on the
children and families they serve. We believe all children should be in a permanent,
nurturing environment. Our mission is to expedite strong and lasting relationships for
special needs children who have lost or are at risk of losing their families. We
successfully blend adoption and foster care services with training and follow-up services.
Because of our unprecedented success in placing children with special needs, the Federal
government named Spaulding for Children as the National Resource Center for Special
Needs Adoption.
Currently there are over 100,000 children in foster care nationwide who need permanent,
adoptive homes. This number has tripled since 1985 and is a serious and growing
national problem. We believe if more people knew about this national concern, they
would be more responsive to needs of adoption. A stamp, bringing attention to the
adoption needs of children in America, would help public awareness of the efforts of all
adoption agencies - to get these children out of the foster care system and into permanent,
supportive and loving families.
Spaulding for Children supports the Dave Thomas Foundation and their goal to get a
United States Adoption Stamp into the United States Postal circulation.
Sincerely,
Judith K. McKenzie
President and CEO
Main Office: 16250 Northland Drive, Suite 120 Southfield MI 48075 Phone (248) 443-7080 Fax (248) 443-7099
Satellite Office: 2301 W. Lafayette. Ste. A
Detroit, MI 48216
Phone (313) 962-2670
Fax (313) 962-2543
Web Site: www.spaulding.org
FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
VIDEOTAPED REMARKS TO
THE INAUGURAL SYMPOSIUM
DAVE THOMAS CENTER FOR ADOPTION LAW
CAPITAL UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
COLUMBUS, OHIO
FEBRUARY 5, 1999
Good morning. I'm so pleased to join you as you begin this important symposium on
adoption. From groundbreaking research to advocating on behalf of children in foster care, each
of you brings an important voice to today's discussion. And no one has done more to advance
the cause of adoption in America than my friend, Dave Thomas. Your vision, your leadership,
your commitment, and your generous spirit serve as an inspiration to us all.
Those of us who care about strengthening our nation's foster care system and improving
adoptions have much be proud of. Under my husband's leadership, we passed the Family and
Medical Leave Act, which gives time off to parents who adopt a child. We provided a tax credit
for families who adopt. We've worked to eliminate discrimination and delays based on race and
ethnicity. And just over one year ago, the President signed into law the Adoption and Safe
Families Act -- a landmark piece of legislation that was the result of the hard work and
dedication of so many of you here today. That law holds out the promise that we can make the
foster care system work better for the children it serves, and secure permanent placements for
children across our country.
But, of course, achieving the President's goal of doubling the number of adoptions by the
year 2002 will take all of our help. Not only the sustained commitment of federal, state and local
governments. It will take private partners. It will take the skill, care, and commitment of all of
those working on cases involving vulnerable children. Above of all, it will take all sectors of
society -- including employers, lawyers, and concerned citizens -- to do everything we can to
promote adoption throughout our communities.
Thank you for your commitment to addressing the important legal issues that will bring
together adoptable children and loving families. I hope you have a wonderful conference.
CAPITAL
Noa
UNIVERSITY
LAW SCHOOL
Preparing Tomorrow Leaders
To Noa
December 10, 1998
5pgs total
Hiliary Rodham Clinton
White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
Thanks for having me and Capital's Dean, Steve Bahls, at the White House National Adoption
Month celebration. It was a wonderful event.
As I believe Nicole Rabner told you, I've finally escaped Washington and am now focusing
substantial time and attention on the adoption issue back home in Ohio. I certainly never
planned for my commitment to help with the transition for six weeks in 1992 to turn into a six
year stay in Washington. Still, my time as Chief of Staff at the DNC and my work at the Justice
Department implementing the Brady Law, establishing the COPS Office, coordinating Youth
Violence Policy, and working as Janet Reno's Counselor were all extraordinary opportunities.
This year I have been given the exciting challenge of directing the newly funded Dave Thomas
Center for Adoption Law here at Capital Law School. We are already engaged in a wide range
of education, research, advocacy, and outreach efforts all aimed at removing unnecessary legal
barriers to adoption.
One of the Center's major projects for this year will be to host the nation's first national, multi-
disciplinary symposium on Adoption Law issues. I cannot tell you how excited we would be if
you would consent to acting as the keynote luncheon speaker for this historic symposium.
Already, the symposium. "Adopting More Kids: Barriers and Solutions" will feature
Harvard's professor Betsy Bartholet delivering Capital's annual Sullivan Lecture to kick off the
day. Madeline Freundlich, Executive Director of the Evan B. Donaldson Foundation for
Adoption will be presenting a paper on "The Benefits and Risks of Expedited Parental Rights
Termination". Other prominent academics, practitioners, judges and advocates from the
"Adoption Community" will be both presenters and attendees at the Symposium. And of course,
Dave Thomas will be there too, to encourage and inspire us all.
303 14.1 BROAD STREET COLUMBUS OHIO $200
in 130,000.00 " " " ...
We certainly hope you can join us on February 9 in Columbus. Were you able to be with us
that day, we would certainly welcome you as our luncheon speaker or at any other time that your
schedule would allow. In addition, I have been authorized by the President of Capital University
to indicate that were you to be able to join us that day, the Capital University Law School would
be pleased to confer upon you an Honorary Degree. (You might be interested in knowing that
Capital is one of a small number of midwestern law school's originally founded in conjunction
with the YMCA. The so called "YMCA Law Schools" were created to provide the opportunity
of a legal education to everyday working people in the communities in which they are located, a
proud tradition Capital continues to this day.)
If you are able to join us on the 9th. we would also like to know whether you are willing to have
the luncheon serve as a fund raiser for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Dave
Thomas Center for Adoption Law, or even for an affiliated children's organization here in Ohio
like the Ohio Children's Defense Fund. If fund raising in association with this kind of visit is
agreeable, we would love to raise some money to help the cause. On the other hand, if fund
raising activity at such an event makes the invitation less attractive, please forget that we ever
mentioned the subject and know that fund raising activity is very much a secondary interest for
us.
I sincerely hope that you can help us launch the inaugural symposium of the Dave Thomas
Center for Adoption Law in its inaugural year. It would mean a great deal to me. to Mr. Thomas,
and to the national array of adoption advocates who will be in attendance to witness yet one more
manifestation of your commitment to this issue through your attendance on February 9th. I will
be in touch with your staff shortly to discuss whether you may be able to come to Ohio in
February and if so, the terms and circumstances under which you would like to do so.
Sincerely,
Kent Markus, Professor and Director
Davc Thomas Center for Adoption Law
KM/cg
P.S. While dictating this letter to you I got a call from Bill Marshall. He's doing fine in Chicago
and says hello.
Cc: Melanne Verveer
Nicole Rabner
Neera Tanden
Adopting More Kids: Barriers & Solutions
The Inaugural Symposium of the Dave Thomas Center for Adoption Law
At Capital University Law School
Conference Site: The Columbus Athenaeum
32 North Fourth Street, Columbus, OH
Conference Date: February 9, 1999
Welcome (8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.)
Dean Steven Bahls, Capital University Law School
Prof. Kent Markus, Director, Dave Thomas Center for Adoption Law
Mr. Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy's International
Real Reform or Incremental Revisionism (9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.)
Presenter of the Sullivan Lecture:
Prof. Elizabeth Bartholet, Harvard Law School
Commentators:
Prof. Catherine Brooks, Creighton Law School
Dr. Cassie Bevans, Professional Staff, Subcommittee on Human Resources,
Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives
Facilitator:
Prof. Donald Duquette, University of Michigan Law School
Break (10:30 a.m. . 10:45 a.m.)
Benefits & Risks of Expediting Termination of Parental Rights (10:45. a.m. - 12:15 a.m.)
Presenter:
Madeline Freundlich, Executive Director, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Commentators:
Mr. Jess McDonald, Director, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Judge Max Baer, Allegheny County Juvenile Court, PA
Facilitator:
Prof. Jane Spinak, Columbia Law School
Lunch (12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
No luncheon program has been scheduled. A box lunch will, however. be available at a cost of
$8.50 and must be ordered by the January 26th deadline. Several fast service restaurants are
within walking distance of the conference location.
Improving the Process (1:45. p.m. - 3:15 p.m.)
Presenter:
Nancy Miller, Administrator, Citizen Review Board, Oregon
Commentators:
Ms. Kristin Brewer, Director, Office of the Guardian Ad Litem/CASA, Utah
Judge David Grossmann. Presiding Administrative Judge (Retired), Hamilton County Juvenile
Court, OH
Facilitator:
Mr. Mark Hardin, Director, Child Welfare, ABA Center on Children & the Law
Break (3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Developmental Evidence Regarding Attachment: A Neglected Element of "Best
Interests"? (3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Presenter:
Dr. Greg Keck, PhD., Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio
Commentators:
Dr. Sheryl Brissett-Chapman, Executive Director, Baptist Home for Children and Families,
Bethesda, MD
Judge Patricia Masias, Children's Court, El Paso, TX
Facilitator:
Prof. Susan Brooks, Vanderbilt Law School
THE DAVE THOMAS CENTER FOR ADOPTION LAW
CAPITAL UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
CAPITALIS
I
n July of 1998, The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Capital University Law
School established The Dave Thomas Center for Adoption Law (the Thomas Center).
STATE PACADEMIAE MATTIDIS
The Thomas Center is the first institution in the country exclusively dedicated to the
field of adoption law. Its goal is to ease and facilitate the adoption process through
educational, advocacy and research efforts.
Education
The Thomas Center seeks to provide educational opportunities for law students, lawyers, judges, clinicians, children's services
workers, medical professionals, and others working in the field. As part of this objective, the Center will conduct an annual
educational symposium on adoption law. calling together the leaders in the field to discuss and debate issues of major concern.
Under the auspices of the Thomas Center, Capital University Law School is currently offering the first course offered to American
law students devoted solely to adoption law. Later this year, the Center will make the course syllabus and reading materials
available to other law schools in hopes of encouraging them to offer such a course. Starting next academic year, the Center plans
to host a National Adoption Law Moot Court Competition at Capital Law School and is in the preliminary stages of producing
a comprehensive, educational CD-ROM for use by academics, practitioners and advocates as a research and reference tool.
Advocacy
The Thomas Center has assisted in the design of several states statutes passed in order to bring those statcs into compliance with
the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. The Center has played a particularly substantial role in the passage and early
implementation planning for Ohio's HB 484. The Center works regularly with U.S. House and Senate staff members to refine
and develop support for key federal legislation in the adoption field, including current efforts to seek passage of the
"Strengthcning Abuse & Neglect Courts Act of 1999". The Center has also established a partnership with the Association of
Trial Lawyers of America aimed at increasing the pro bono representation of children in abuse, neglect and dependency
proceedings and at passing state laws aimed at better assuring the availability of such representation Future plans include amicus
participation in selected litigation, and establishing a referral hotline for those seeking legal assistance.
Research
The Thomas Center has provided research support for the development of a national model rule for expedited appellate adoption
proceedings and is currently developing a series of proposals for funded multi-disciplinary research. In particular, the Center
hopes to obtain funding for scholarly and empirical research conducted in
collaboration with various non-profit groups.
service providers. and academicians from a range of disciplines. In
March of this year, the Center's Director,
Professor Kent Markus, will study the perspectives other countries
bring to this subject area when he serves as
one of ten delegates representing the United States
at an international conference in
Great Britain examining "The Role of the
Family in Public Policy".
February, 1999
WENDY'S AND BUSCH GARDENS RAISE
WENDY'S THREE-TOUR
$125,000 FOR THE DTFA
CHALLENGE
TOUR
RAISES $925,000
CHALLENGE
nce again, Wendy's and Busch Gardens proved that their
partnership is about more than offering their customers
great food, fun and value- it's about raising money for a
T
he sixth annual Wendy's Three-Tour challenge golf tourna-
cause that counts.
ment held this past November raised $925,000 for the
Throughout Florida and South Georgia, $6.00 admission
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
ADOPTINFO
coupons to Busch Gardens were distributed at Wendy's. And over
Played at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada, just min-
several months, with every redemption, almost $1.00 went back to
utes away from the Las Vegas strip, the Wendy's Three-Tour
the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. 440 Wendy's restaurants
A QUARTERLY UPDATE FOR FRIENDS AND CONTRIBUTORS OF THE DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION FOR ADOPTION
Challenge continues to be one of the finest events in golf.
participated in the promotion raising $125,000 for the Dave Thomas
The PGA team, Phil Mickelson, Tom Lehman and Fred
Winter 1998
Foundation for Adoption. Thanks Wendy's and Busch Gardens.
Couples, cinched the title on the last hole winning the tourna-
ADOPTION AND SAFE FAMILIES ACT OF 1997
ment by a ½ point over the LPGA team Annika Sorenstam,
WENDY'S HALLOWEEN COUPON
Karrie Webb and Nancy Lopez.
BOOKS BENEFIT SEVERAL
It was an exciting day of golf, not only for spectators, but
BECOMES LAW
also for local foster children like Damion, Hugh and Aaron.
ADOPTION ORGANIZATIONS
Damion. Hugh and Aaron, from Las Vegas. were the stan-
ong after The masks and the costumes are packed away,
dard bearers in this year's tournament. Each child was paired with
A
fter months of anticipation, the
step in moving children into permanent
reaching a set number of adoptions over
Wendy's Hallo
3 are just beginning to benefit
a team and carried the team's leaderboards. Their participation
Adoption and Safe Families
homes. however, more work is needed to
the previous year.
L
several adoption organizations across the country.
represented the thousands of children waiting for adoption in the
Act of 1997 was signed into law
improve the system."
Eliminates geographic barriers.
This past October, almost 1,000 Wendy's across the
United States. And is truly the reason for which the tournament
on November 17, 1997. Dave Thomas
Throughout the year, Thomas
In some cases, states have not easily
U.S. and Canada sold Halloween Trick or Treat Coupon Books.
was created.
joined President and Mrs. Clinton along
provided Congress with information and
approved adoptions by out of state resi-
Each coupon book included coupons for free Wendy's Frostys and
Wendy's considers waiting children to be an important part
with a host of adoption supporters for
emphasized the necessity to streamline
dents. States are now required to consid-
fries. The promotion raised over $325,000 for several adoption
of the Wendy's Three Tour Challenge, so every year Wendy's
the celebration at the White House.
the adoption system.
er adoptions from different counties and
organizations across the country and in Canada.
invites local waiting kids to be a part of the tournament. Having
This new legislation makes cru-
Highlights of the new bill
states.
Damion, Hugh and Aaron participate brings the cause a little
cial changes in the Adoption and Foster
include:
Continues support services.
MORE CORPORATIONS OFFERING
closer to home.
Care Act of 1980. By requiring stricter
Ensures that children's health
This provision ensures that adopted
The Foundation would like to express a special thank you to all
time limits, It will move children out of
and safety are primary concerns. This
children keep health insurance coverage
ADOPTION BENEFITS
of the people who make the Wendy's Three-Tour Challenge a success
foster care into permanent homes more
is the most important concept in work-
once they are adopted. Support to adop-
n 1990, when Wendy's International teamed up with the
year after year. To the sponsors, players, and volunteers we extend our
quickly. And for the first time, financial
ing with an abusive or neglectful family
tive families is a critical factor when
I
National Adoption Center (NAC) to encourage employ-
heartfelt appreciation. And a special thank you to Denny Lynch, Pam
incentives will be made available to the
when reunification is the goal.
encouraging more adoptions.
ers to add adoption benefits, only 15% of the Fortune
Stockhoff. and Valerie Koch who spend an entire year planning for this
states to find permanent homes in a
Establishes tighter timelines.
President and Mrs. Clinton both
1000 offered adoption benefits.
big day that means so much to all of us.
timely fashion.
New timelines require the courts move
recognized Dave Thomas and his tireless
Today, that number has increased to 65%. The Foundation
"I'm very glad to see this bill
more swiftly to decide where a child will
efforts for America's waiting children at
would like to recognize companies who have recently implemented
signed into law," said Thomas. "Foster
ultimately live (usually within 15
the White House celebration.
adoption benefits: Mitsbushi Motor Sales of North America, Inc.;
care was never intended to be a perma-
months).
"Businesses can make it easier for
Mercedes Benz of North America; The Gap; Bell South
nent solution for children, only a tem-
Creates financial incentives.
their employees to adopt a child. And I
Corporation; New York Life Insurance: AMOCO Corporation;
porary safe place. This is a great first
States are eligible for a $4,000 bonus per
want to single out Dave Thomas of
State Farm Insurance; Target Stores.
foster child adopted, plus an additional
Wendy's, who has led the way in show-
$2,000 for a special needs child upon
ing all of us how that can be done," said
DAVE THOMAS
BULK RATE
Hillary Clinton.
US. POSTAGE
44
FOUNDATION
PAID
FORADOPTION
Columbus OH
P.O. Box 7164
Permit No. 3374
"I'M VERY GLAD
4288 W. Dublin-Granville Rd.
Dublin, Ohio 43017
TO SEE THIS
BILL SIGNED
INTO-LAW.
BUILDING
STRONG
FAMILIES
DAVE THOMAS
AUTO *MIXED AADC 430
Nicole Rabner
5
Office of the First Lady
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Dave Thomas
Washington DC 20500-0003
witnesses President Clinton signing the Adoption and
Safe Families Act into law.
FOUNDATION NEWS
ADOPTION 2002 AWARD
FOUNDATION FUNDING
RECIPIENTS HONORED
A NOTE FROM JANN HEFFNER
AT WHITE HOUSE
A NEW FACE FOR
NAE ONLINE is funded by a federal
GRANTS Awarded TO
he Federal Department of Health
grant from the U.S. Department of Health
T
and Human Services (HHS) pre-
FACES OF ADOPTION
and Human Services and the Dave Thomas
DEVELOP TRAINING
sented their first annual "Adoption
NATIONAL ADOPTION CENTER
Foundation for Adoption.
FOR JUDGES
t's hard to believe we just celebrated our fifth
2002 Excellence" Awards at the
DEBUTS NAE ONLINE
If you would like more information
anniversary. Supported by thousands of loyal
he Foundation believes the judi-
White House prior to the new adoption bill
aces of Adoption, the premier
on NAE ONLINE. please contact Megan
Wendy's employees, vendors, franchisees and
signing last November.
F
Internet photo-listing book of
Hickey at the NAC at 215-735-9988 or visit
T
clary, the lawyers and staff who
work with the courts are critical
friends, the Foundation has made a significant impact on
waiting children. a program of
HHS recognized a total of 12 recipients
the Faces website at www.adopt.org.
finding homes for the thousands of waiting children nation-
the National Adoption Center
partners in the quest to ensure
for their outstanding accomplishments in the
ally.
(NAC) has undergone a make-over.
children find permanent, loving families. As
adoption community.
The NAC recently merged its popu-
ADOPTION COUNCIL OF
As I review the past five years several highpoints
a result, the Foundation has funded projects
The Foundation would like to congrat-
come to mind. First and foremost. the support of the
lar website, Faces of Adoption, with the
CANADA AND WENDY'S
with the National Judicial College (NJC)
ulate fellow Adoption 2002 Excellence recipi-
member-driven services of the National
Wendy's system. Over the past five years. we've grown
and the National Council of Juvenile and
ents:
Adoption Exchange (NAE). Together. they
OF CANADA LAUNCH
together. Thanks to the entire Wendy's family we would
Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ).
are now part of a larger on-line Internet
not be where we are today without your commitment to
"Support for Adoptive Families"
application- NAE ONLINE.
NATIONAL ADOPTION
In 1997. the NCJFCJ received
this cause and support of the Foundation.
North American Council on Adoptable
$100,000 to develop model courts to serve
"Faces will offer even more informa-
Our partnership with the National Adoption Center has resulted in an
Children: Resources for Adoptive Parents;
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
as examples for expedited adoption and the
tion," explains MariAnne Clarke, deputy
award winning Internet site Faces of Adoption. And today. 65% of the Fortune 1000 corporations
Athens County Children Services
he Adoption Council of Canada
development of model court guidelines.
director of NAC. "Now member agencies
and social workers who have used our ser-
"Public Awareness"
T
(ACC) and Wendy's of Canada
now offer adoption benefits to their employees versus around 15% at the start of the decade.
Twenty judges serve on the project commit-
teamed up this past fall to
We've enjoyed a close relationship with the North American Council on Adoptable
vices for years will be able to access our pri-
tee. The project will be complete and the
National Adoption Center. PA
address the needs of their coun-
Children by funding the development of parent support groups across the country placing almost
vate confidential family/child database
guidelines disseminated nationally in 1999.
try's waiting kids by launching a national
200 children with new families.
"Individual Contributions"
directly through the Interner."
While NCJFCJ serves as the major
awareness campaign.
National public service announcements were produced and distributed and millions of
Jack Williams. Anchor. WBZ-TV4. MA
More than two years ago, Faces made
training vehicle for juvenile law, general
Currently. there are 48,000 children
television watchers viewed the spots, creating awareness about waiting children.
Sherry Cov, Adoptive Mother. NE
its debut on the Internet, featuring photos
in foster care in Canada. At least 14,000 of
jurisdiction judges often receive training at
and descriptions of waiting kids from all
Training of juvenile judges and the best practices for courts is critical. child will find a
these children are legally available to be
the NJC. To ensure these judges have the
"Family Contributions"
over the United States. Faces has made it
home without the order from a juvenile judge and that's why we've funded the National Council of
adopted. Every year. the number of children
chance to learn about child welfare and
The Badeau Family, Philadelphia. PA
more convenient for anyone who wants
Juvenile and Family Court Judges to develop model courts and new resource guidelines for judges.
who find permanent homes 15 less than 10
adoption. the Foundation has funded the
The Scott Family, Scottsdale. AZ
information on adoption and the adoption
None of these projects would be possible without the steadfast support of the Wendy's
percent.
development of curriculum for use in the
The Neal Family, Greensboro, NC
process to easily access it. And they can
Three-Tour Challenge, Wendy's Ski Family Challenge, many donors. franchisees, and friends.
Over two years ago. Wendy's of
introductory course for new judges.
"meet" hundreds of children on-line who are
"Philanthropy"
Canada was approached by the ACC to
Since Dave Thomas addressed the State
Our heartfelt thanks to Dave, our Board of Trustees. our grantees and the Wendy's family.
waiting for permanent families.
Wendy's International
begin a partnership addressing the needs of
The need is urgent, the challenge is great but we know there are families out there for the thou-
NAE ONLINE. while similar to
Supreme Court Justices last summer and shared
their country's waiting children. Realizing
sands of children who are waiting. And together we'll work to find them.
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. OH
Faces in its listing of children, offers a data-
our video "Through the Eyes of a Child," the
the Foundation's interest in the cause,
base of waiting families as well. Professionals
Foundation has fulfilled over two thousand
"Judicial or Child Welfare System
Wendy's of Canada began to work with the
Sincerely,
have the added benefit of being able to learn
requests for copies of the video. Our special
Improvement"
DTFA to coordinate their efforts.
about practical issues on-line and to directly
thanks to all of you who have shared this mes-
Jana Hiffner
South Carolina Families for Kids. SC
In 1997, the Foundation awarded a
make "matches" between the waiting chil-
$30,000 grant to the ACC to become the
sage with your local adoption agencies, CASA
Jann Heffner
"Decrease in Time Children in Foster Care
dren and approved families that are listed.
national adoption clearinghouse across
programs. judges and adoption leaders in your
Wait for Permanency"
The NAE provides information. refer-
Executive Director
Canada.
communities.
ra! and the services of NAE ONLINE to 108
Lucas County Children's Services. OH
As part of the grant. a toll-free num-
public and private adoption agencies and
NEW TRAINING
ber was established and a staff person came
NATIONAL ADOPTION
DAVE DEBUTS NEW
exchanges. The private membership side is
on board to respond to the various inquiries
PACKAGE DEVELOPED
available for a fee to social workers around
MONTH POSTER HAS
PSA ON ROSIE SHOW
and follow-up with agencies to ensure fami-
the country who match waiting children
new training package focusing
t only makes sense that two of
Dave, adopted as a child. and Rosie
lies and children are being formed.
FOUND HOMES FOR
with families.
being an adoptive mother of two, both
A
on the needs of children who
America's most loved televi-
The awareness campaign, which was
Workers who register their children
have lived in the foster care SVS-
introduced into the Wendy's restaurants last
18 CHILDREN
sion personalities would team
know the joy adoption can bring to a per-
on NAE ONLINE can automatically have
tem has been created for foster.
November, consisted of posters and traylin-
hroughout November,
up to talk about what means so
son's life. Together, they created a powerful
them listed on Faces, as well. By incorporat-
ers featuring two families that have adopted
adoptive, and kinship parents.
T
National Adoption Month,
much to them personally-the cause of
message and call to action for America's
ing this feature, the NAC hopes to make it
special needs children.
Spaulding for Children, the National
Wendy's restaurants, public
adoption.
waiting kids Thanks Dave and Rosie!
easier for social workers to register available
Since November, over 1,500 calls to
Training Center for Special Needs
libraries. and adoption agencies
So, in December Dave teamed up
The new PSA is available for televi-
children and to therefore increase the num-
the newly created 1-888-54 ADOPT num-
Adoptions, recently released Parents as
across the U.S. displayed posters and tray-
with Rosie O'Donnell to share his new
sion and radio and is free
ber of children who have the potential to
ber have been received.
Tender Healers (PATH). PATH will serve as
liners featuring waiting children.
public service announcement (PSA) on air
of charge to non-profit
find stable, loving homes.
"This IS a big milestone for our orga-
a resource for agencies, social workers and
roSie
"Faces has proven to be a very SUC-
Since November, over 1,200 calls and
with millions of viewers.
organizations. It you
nization, and our system welcomes this cause
cessful way of finding families for children
parents.
over 2,000 e-mail requests have been received
The PSA featured the 1-800-TO-
would like a copy, please
with open arms," said Mary Ann Pilotte.
who have special needs-siblings. adolescents
The curriculum, funded by the
at the National Adoption Center. A total of
ADOPT number and drove over 800 calls
tax a written request to
regional marketing director, Wendy's
and those with multiple challenges," says
McGregor Fund and the Dave Thomas
18 children on the poster have already found
to the National Adoption Center from
the DTFA at (614) 764-
Restaurants of Canada.
ODONNELL
Clarke. "We anticipate that the enhanced
Foundation for Adoption, includes trainer's
homes as a result of the campaign.
interested viewers wanting more informa-
6707.
services of NAE ONLINE will provide even
manual, participant's handbook. and a two
tion on the adoption process.
SHOW
greater opportunities for these children."
hour videotape.
THE FIRSTfiveyears
DAVE THOMAS FOUNDATION FOR ADOPTION CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF FINDING PERMANENT LOVING HOMES FOR WAITING KIDS
How It All Started
Mission
The Beginning
In 1990, Dave Thomas, founder of
The Dave Thomas Foundation
Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers
for Adoption was established to
Restaurants, launched
raise public awareness about the
a program to promote
1990
thousands of children awaiting
adoption awareness.
The message,
PRESIDENT
adoption in the United States; to
"Adoption
BUSH
educate prospective parents about
Works For
the adoption process; and to form
ASKED DAVE
Everyone." reached
TO BE
public and private partnerships to
millions.
SPOKESMAN
help make the adoption process
For two years,
easier and more affordable.
Wendy's took a corpo-
Message from the
rate leadership role in the cause of adop-
tion. To recognize these efforts,
Founder
President Bush asked Dave to be the
History of the
spokesperson for a national adoption
awareness campaign. But Dave and
Foundation
Dear Friends:
Wendy's wanted to do even more to
Five years ago, I could only imagine
help children become adopted.
the personal joy of helping a child
1992 - 1993
So. in July 1992, the Dave Thomas
become adopted. Today, my greatest
The Charter Years
Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) was
heroes are the children and parents who
established as a public, non-profit
The Foundation's first focus was to
come together and become new fami-
501 (c)3 organization. The cor-
encourage corporate adoption
lies. As we recently celebrated the
nerstone was Dave's goal to make
benefits. Dave Thomas wrote to
Foundation's fifth anniversary, I'm filled
1992
adoption work for children and
the CEOs of Fortune 1000 com-
with these memories of happy children
DAVE WRITES
parents.
panies encouraging them to
who have found permanent homes.
The Foundation formalized
TO FORTUNE
establish adoption benefits for
But, I'm keenly aware of the thou-
Dave and Wendy's commitment
1000
their employees. Wendy's adop-
sands of children who SO desperately
to finding homes and permanent
"ADD
tion benefits program was used as
want a permanent loving home. As a
families for waiting children
ADOPTION
a model by several Fortune 1000
Foundation, we are committed to con-
BENEFITS"
across the United States. More
companies implementing adop-
necting these children with loving fami-
than 100,000 are in the public
tion benefits programs.
lies. As an adopted person, these chil-
child welfare system where they await
After extensive conversations with the
dren hold a special place in my life.
new families. These youngsters may be
adoption community, the Board deter-
Particularly committed to our mis-
older; siblings who want to be adopted
mined a lack of awareness of waiting chil-
sion is the Wendy's family. I can't begin
together; children from minority cul-
dren discouraged adoption, SO another
to thank them for their unwavering and
tures; and children who are physically or
early project was the creation of
personal support of our mission. As well
mentally challenged.
"Adoption Works For Everyone: A
as our Board of Trustees for their knowl-
Today, the Foundation provides
Beginner's Guide to Adoption." The ini-
edge and direction.
direct support for adoption programs by
tial printing and distribution of 500,000
Many of us have felt the personal
contributing funds to charitable organi-
copies makes the "Beginner's Guide" the
rewards of seeing a child find a home
zations and developing innovative ini-
most commonly used adoption
and family. I'm joyful about the
tiatives with diverse partners.
guide in the country. This spe-
Foundation's accomplishments over the
The Foundation is based in Dublin,
cial guide, written by adoption
past five years. And very enthusiastic
Ohio and is overseen by a 13-member
experts for prospective parents,
1993
about what the future holds.
Board of Trustees.
was reproduced in every paper-
BEGINNER'S
Sincerely,
The Foundation is guided by Dave's
back edition of Dave's Way.
GUIDE TO
personal belief that every child deserves
Wendy's restaurants also
ADOPTION
Dave Thmas
a permanent home and loving family.
supported the awareness cam-
CREATED
This was formalized in the Foundation's
paign. Wendy's U.S. restau-
Dave Thomas
mission statement.
rants displayed posters and
Founder
trayliners in their stores dur-
ing November, National Adoption
The National Council of Juvenile
would make adoption more affordable.
Month. In addition, Dave was featured
and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) also
His efforts paid off when the tax credit
in nationally distributed televi-
received a grant from the
was signed into law.
sion public service announce-
Foundation to develop guidelines
During 1997. the Foundation com-
ments (PSAs). The posters, tray-
and training for juvenile judges.
pleted its fourth PSA and a series of
liners and PSAs all featured a
1995
The 1995 Adoption Month
micro-documentaries for public televi-
toll-free hotline, 1-800-TO-
GRANT
event was held at the White
sion. To enhance the judicial education
ADOPT, operated by the
AWARDED
House and hosted by Dave and
initiative, the video "Through the Eyes
National Adoption Center
TO NACAC
First Lady Hillary Rodham
of a Child" was developed and pre-
(NAC).
Clinton. By transmitting the pro-
miered during Dave's speech to the
The Foundation's charter
gram via satellite, hundreds of
National Association of Supreme Court
years made their mark. Louis W.
communities got to see their
Judges.
Sullivan, M.D., former U.S. Secretary of
waiting children at the White House
As a result of this great teamwork, the
Health and Human Services, lauded
and adoptions resulted!
Foundation received both the
their efforts. "Few Americans have given
The Foundation was now being rec-
International Resolve 1997 Barbara Eck
more to the cause of adoption than Dave
ognized for its efforts, as well as
Menning Award and the
Thomas. It was truly a pleasure working
being acknowledged as a national
1997
Presidential Adoption 2002 Award
with Dave and the Wendy's organiza-
funding source for the adoption
for best use of philanthropy.
tion I'm certain that as a result of these
community. But, more impor-
RECIPIENT
As we celebrate the fifth
efforts, the dream of a loving home has
tantly, national attention was
OF
"ADOPTION
anniversary of the Dave Thomas
come true for countless numbers of
being focused on the thousands
2000
Foundation for Adoption, we are
America's precious children."
of children in the U.S. who are
EXCELLENCE"
gratified by the opportunities
waiting for a permanent home
AWARD
we've had to make a positive
and loving family.
impact on the lives of thousands
1994 - 1995
of children. We also salute and
thank our terrific board members, vol-
Building Strength
1996 - 1997
unteers, donors, grantees and partners.
The Foundation hired an executive
director and staff in 1994 and developed
Banner Years
its first strategic plan and grants pro-
In 1996, additional public service
Board of Trustees
gram.
announcements were produced and dis-
R. David Thomas
The PSA distributed in 1993 contin-
tributed. "Johnny Watkins," created to
Founder, Chairman of the Board
ued to air in 1994 and generated 600
focus on the successful adoption of minor-
Gordon F. Teter
million impressions by the American
ity teens, was extremely successful in gen-
Charles W. Rath
television viewing public.
erating calls for older waiting kids.
President
Wendy's U.S. restaurants again
The Foundation also developed a
Donald F. Calhoon
displayed posters and trayliners
1996
video to support a speech by Dave
Emil J. Brolick
encouraging adoption. These
to the National Association of
Dennis L. Lynch
efforts had generated over 10,000
ADOPTION
Attorneys General. He urged the
Secretary
calls from prospective parents to
DECLARED
Attorneys General to support
Ronald E. Musick
the NAC's 1-800-TO-ADOPT
AS WENDY'S
adoption as a crime prevention
Treasurer
hotline.
"CHARITY
technique "If you put your money
Kathleen A. McGinnis
In 1995, with the advent of
OF CHOICE"
in the playpens, you won't need to
Judge Evelyn Stratton
additional funding, the
put it in the state pens!"
Supreme Court of Ohio
Foundation began providing
To encourage more companies
Judge Yverte McGee Brown
even more grant money to qualifying
to provide adoption benefits, DTFA
Franklin Co. Court of Common Pleas
adoption organizations that presented
partnered with NAC and the Kellogg
Pamela Thomas Farber
innovative ways to reach and recruit
Foundation to initiate "Adoption in the
Larry Fleming
prospective parents.
Workplace." A video, model programs
Nancy Near
One of the first grants was to the
and guidelines were produced and dis-
North American Council on Adoptable
tributed to corporations large and small.
Children (NACAC). for
This project continued in 1997 and now
Executive Director
development of adoptive par-
65% of the Fortune 1000 provide adop-
Jann Heffner
ent support groups around the
tion benefits to their employees.
1994
U.S. This two year grant
It became apparent after only
GRANTS
found homes for over 200
a few short years that the
Dave Thomas Foundation
PROGRAM
children.
Wendy's family was making a dif-
1996
for Adoption
ESTABLISHED
Another early grantee was
ference in the lives of many chil-
P.O. Box 7164
the NAC which developed an
dren. A formal commitment
DAVE
4288 West Dublin-Granville Rd.
Internet photolisting book
came in the fall of 1996. Wendy's
TESTIFIES
BEFORE
Dublin, OH 43017
featuring waiting children
declared adoption as its "charity
CONGRESS
614-764-3009
from all over the United States. The
of choice."
614-764-6707 Fax
website, Faces of Adoption, lists hun-
Then Congress became inter-
dreds of waiting children and provides
ested in developing adoption-
information about them. Dozens of chil-
friendly legislation. Dave was asked to
If you would like information about the
dren have found families on this award
testify before Congress and urged enact-
Foundation's grant program, please call
winning site.
ment of an adoption tax credit that
614-764-3009.
Nicale
DAVE
file adoption
THOMAS
ast year R. David Thomas received his high school diploma. He
Thomas
was crowned king of the senior prom and was voted "Most Likely
to Succeed." But after graduation he went back to his job at a
the founder
hamburger joint. "Since I was eight years old, I've wanted to be
of Wendy's,
in the hamburger business," says Thomas. Flipping hamburgers
may not seem like a promising career to many, but to Thomas it
is a-tireless
has become a multibillion-dollar fast-food empire. R. David
spokesperson
Thomas, the recent high school graduate, is also known as 62-year-old
Dave Thomas-founder of the Wendy's hamburger chain, best-selling
for adoption
author, tireless spokesman for adoption awareness, and champion of spe-
awareness
cial needs children.
Childhood was a challenging time for the hamburger king. He was born
and a
in Atlantic City, New Jersey, but never knew his birth parents. Although he
was adopted when he was six weeks old, his adopted mother died when
champion
Thomas was five and his adopted father had to move from state to state look-
of special
ing for work. "This wasn't easy," says Thomas. "No roots, no sense of belong-
ing." His adopted grandmother, Minnie Sinclair, provided some of the much-
needs
needed stability during those early years. "She was very inspirational in my
children
life because she's the one who really would talk to me," recalls Thomas.
Sinclair was a God-fearing woman who raised pigs and chickens and kept
a sprawling vegetable garden. She used her small farm to cultivate a system
of values in her grandson. "Have you ever weeded a garden?" asks Thomas.
"I hated it. I mean absolutely hated it. But she'd pay me to do it. She really
believed
in incentives She encouraged me a lot. She didn't really preach to
you We had a lot of fun. You know, fun is an important thing."
Thomas spent summers with Sinclair, who worked in a local restaurant.
She would often take him
with her to work. "She'd go
up there and she'd wash
dishes or help the cooks,"
remembers Thomas. This
was his first taste of restau-
rant life and the side order
of hard work that comes
with it.
At age 12 Thomas lied
about his age to secure a
Courtesy of Dave Thomas
job at the lunch counter at
a restaurant in Knoxville,
Thomas is a major supporter of a number of
Tennessee. Posing as a 16-
children's charities and is a national spokesper-
year-old, Thomas began
son for the advantages of adoption.
TODAY'S
WEATHER
TEMP. 35°
SNOWLURRIES
THIN enjoy! ICE
Courtesy of Dave Thomas
Thomas has appeared in close to 300 radio and television commercials and public service announcements pro-
moting adoption. Here, Thomas is with Olympic medalist Kristi Yamaguchi.
flipping hamburgers. He dropped out of school
agement, the restaurants began to prosper. He
after the 10th grade to work full time as a busboy
even added four new locations. In 1968 he sold the
at another restaurant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. "That
stores back to KFC for $1.5 million. Dave Thomas
was a big mistake. I should have never done it,"
had become a millionaire at 35.
says Thomas. He encourages young people to stay
Peddling fried chicken was profitable, but
in school-to get an education. His words, howev-
Thomas remained drawn to hamburgers. "I
er, rang hollow for some teenagers. "If education is
thought there was a big opportunity for a freshly
so important," they would say, "why didn't you
made hamburger-something that tasted good."
ever go back?" He did, and last year Thomas
In November 1969, he opened the first Wendy's
received his GED. "I'm not a dropout anymore," he
Old Fashioned Hamburgers restaurant in down-
says proudly.
town Columbus, Ohio. In 1973, Thomas began
In 1956 Thomas and his boss at the Fort Wayne
franchising the Wendy's concept. Today there are
restaurant opened a new barbecue restaurant.
more than 4,000 Wendy's restaurants in the US
There Thomas met Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
and in 29 countries. Annual sales have grown to
founder Colonel Harland Sanders. The Colonel was
more than $3.6 billion with a workforce of some
traveling around the country to promote his fried
130,000 employees.
chicken franchises. Thomas's boss obtained four
Pursuing a dream to create a better hamburger
failing KFC restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, and
has carried Thomas to the top of a multibillion-
proposed a deal to Thomas. If he could turn the
dollar, multinational corporation. But it's the flavor
outlets around, erase a $200,000 debt, and make a
of his work away from the grill and "Biggie Fries"
profit, his boss would give Thomas 45% ownership.
that now satisfies his generous appetite.
"The Colonel told me not to do it," remembers
Thomas is a major supporter of a number of
Thomas. "The stores were practically bankrupt. I
children's charities, including St. Jude's Research
had four kids and a wife, and I was making $135 a
Hospital in Memphis, the Ohio State University
week." But it was the opportunity he had been
Cancer Research Institute, and Recreation
waiting for; he jumped at it. Under Thomas' man-
Unlimited-a year-round camping and recreation-
46
TALL 94
and
Angie Halamandaris
al center for disabled children. He also serves as
to $4,000 in fees and legal costs when one of its
an honorary member of the board of the
employees chooses to adopt $6,000 for special
Foundation of the Children's Home Society (CHS)
needs children. "We help cover the costs of the
of Florida, a child advocacy group. Thomas and
adoption process, including the individual and
his wife have donated more than $500,000 to CHS
family counseling sometimes needed to help chil-
and have helped establish a 24-hour kid's crisis
dren make a smoother adjustment into their new
hot line and emergency home for young victims of
families." In the first three years, Wendy's con-
abuse and neglect. "He's our guardian angel,"
tributed about $39,000 for 18 adoptions. During
says CHS's Pat Sizer.
that same period, the company spent $4.5 million
In the 1980s Thomas became president of the
in maternity benefits. Thomas insists that the cost
Horatio Alger Association-a club of sorts for so-
called "rags to riches" entrepreneurs. Under his
leadership the association was transformed from
"My recipe for success
a social club to a public service advocacy group.
He launched a nationwide leadership program to
bring together Alger members and high school
is hard work, patience,
students from around the country-a program
that continues to benefit thousands of young
honesty, and total
people each year.
The cause that is perhaps closest to Thomas'
commitment."
heart is adoption. "There are SO many children out
there They don't have a home, and some of them
go from foster home to foster home and institu-
of the new adoption program is small compared to
tions," says Thomas. "I know some kids who have
its social benefits. "It's not the most costly thing
been to 10 different foster homes. And, you know,
we could do," he says. "Profit is not a dirty word
everyone deserves a home and love."
with any of us but we have to give something
In 1990 President Bush asked Thomas to
back. That's where responsibility comes in."
become national spokesman for the Presidential
Wendy's founder recently created the Dave
Initiative on Adoption, called "Adoption Works
Thomas Foundation for Adoption-a nonprofit
For Everyone." The project was designed to
organization dedicated to the tenet that every child
encourage the adoption of nearly 100,000 special
deserves a permanent home and a loving family. "I
needs children-youngsters who are older, emo-
hope someday that anyone privately,
tionally or physically disabled, part of families
publicly whatever, will have adoption benefits in
wishing to remain together, or part of minority cul-
the same breath you have maternity benefits, to
tures. Thomas, with his personal link to adoption,
give people incentive to adopt," says Thomas.
readily agreed to head the campaign and commit-
In 1991 Thomas pledged the profits from his
ted his restaurant chain to the effort. He intro-
autobiography, Dave's Way, to help fund adoption
duced adoption benefits to Wendy's standard
programs. More than 350,000 copies of the book
employee benefits package. Like maternity bene-
have been sold. Proceeds have been used to pro-
fits, the new policy provides financial assistance
duce 500,000 copies of a Beginner's Guide to
and paid leave for company employees who
Adoption-written with the assistance of well-
choose to adopt. "It's real simple," explains
known adoption experts and distributed to adop-
Thomas. "People said, 'Well, why didn't we think of
tion agencies around the country. "I'm trying to
it?' So I wrote letters and we got a lot of different
take my awareness and do something," says
companies to put adoption benefits in."
Thomas. He recently published a second book, Well
Thomas has appeared in close to 300 radio
Done!-a best-selling inspirational guide to achiev-
and television commercials and public service
ing success the honest way. Profits from the new
announcements promoting adoption. He grants
book are also being donated to adoption programs.
hundreds of interviews each year as part of a
Dave Thomas will continue to lead by example.
national interview campaign to raise public aware-
"Just work hard and apply yourself," he says. "My
ness about the thousands of children awaiting
recipe for success is hard work, patience, honesty,
adoption and to educate prospective parents about
and total commitment." The man who started out
the adoption process. He travels around the coun-
flipping hamburgers will continue doing what he
try urging fellow CEOs to "adopt" adoption bene-
loves making money and sharing it with people
fits. His message is simple: "It's working for us,
who need it most. "There's never been a luggage
and it can work for you, too."
rack on a hearse," says Thomas. "You can't take it
Thomas explains that Wendy's contributes up
with you." <>
47
MORLE
FALL 94
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a publication.
Publications have not been scanned in their entirety for the purpose
of digitization. To see the full publication please search online or
visit the Clinton Presidential Library's Research Room.
vol. 7:ho:1/
CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
fall 1997
03/67/96 18:08 FAX 1 312 266 4548
002
KETCHUM PUBLIC RELATIONS
file
WORLDWIDE
adoption
MEMORANDUM/February 27, 1996
312/
TO: THE WHITE HOUSE/OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
883-4974
Evan Ryan
FR: Kristi Dunn
RE: "FRIENDS OF ADOPTION" NATIONAL ADOPTION EVENT
312/989-6788
Hi Evan. Thank you for taking the time to discuss our next adoption awareness project.
Our White House Adoption event was such a huge success, even with a hurdle like the
government shutdown, that we would like to invite Mrs. Clinton to work with the Dave
Thomas Foundation for Adoption at a second national event. Dave Thomas would be
honored to have the opportunity to work with her again.
I've attached a one-page proposal for your review. We faced the dilemma of what to do
after such a successful and high-profile White House event. To maintain our momentum,
we decided to turn to the people (outside of Washington) who have the most influence
on America. We have learned of an increasing number of high-profile key influencers
who have recently adopted or have been adopted. We feel that by inviting these famous
personalities to band together in support of a cause that has touched their very own lives,
we can take adoption awareness to a higher level. To avoid getting lost in the large
number of charity requests these people get on a regular basis, we would like to enlist
the help of Mrs. Clinton. We feel that her involvement will be the impetus we need to get
these key influencers on board with our cause.
We have designed the event to require a minimal time commitment from Mrs. Clinton,
and as a keynote speaker, she is welcome to craft her own personal key message. We
are also willing to work around her schedule to find a time frame that is convenient for
her.
The attached proposal is very preliminary, and we are open to any suggestions you may
have. 1 have already contacted a celebrity recruiter and charity event planner who is
interested in our cause. After you have had a chance to review our proposal, please feel
free to call with questions at (312)266-4531. I look forward to hearing your feedback or
any ideas you may have. Thanks for your time and consideration.
-
142 EAST ONTANIO STREET
CHICAGO. ILLINOIS 60611 PRONE/312-266-4550 FAX/31Z-266-4564
^ UNIT OF KETCHUM COMMUNICATIONS: INC./ OFFICES THROUGHOUT TILE WORLD.
03/07/96 18:09 FAX 1 312 266 4548
003
KETCHUM PUBLIC RELATIONS
W
0
A
L
D
W
I
D
E
"Friends of Adoption" National Event
Benefiting the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Objectives:
To help place kids In homes; to take adoption awareness to a higher level and make It a
mainstream issue; to raise money for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Who:
Key influencers including members of the entertainment industry, community leaders, adoption
advocates, members of the media, famous personalities
Speakers:
Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton (keynote speaker)
Dave Thomas and key influencer with adoption connection (i.e. Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer
or Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman) will make a few additional comments and Introduce Mrs. Clinton
Location/Timing:
Los Angeles (or New York) to attract celebrity attendees
Late Spring/early Summer (or close to California primaries)
Key Messages:
Every child deserves a home and a loving family including special needs children (older children,
siblings, minorities and children with disabilities)
Urge a call to action to America to make this cause a priority to everyone; urge people to share
in the responsibility to find a home for every child
Concept:
Create a "Friends of Adoption network that includes every willing high profile person or couple that has
adopted; has an adoption connection or simply wants to support the cause. Invite this network of key
influencers and children awaiting adoption to attend an afternoon interactive, fund raising media event in
Los Angeles or New York. Invite Mrs. Rodham Clinton to be the keynote speaker and address the crowd
about the importance of finding homes for all children. Top celebrities, Mrs. Clinton, Dave Thomas and
waiting children will be very appealing to the media; and generate tremendous positive coverage for
everyone involved.
Visuals & Activities:
The afternoon fund raiser will have an interactive format that includes children waiting to be
adopted from a local adoption agency. Sample activities include a dunking booth and/or some type
of lighthearted "Circus of the Stars" competition. Other ideas include celebrity-donated items to
be auctioned off at a silent auction, the creation of an "Adoption Walk/Hall of Fame", and a
"Helping Hands of Adoption Mural", which entails attendees contributing their handprints to the
mural, which will then be used as a travelling exhibit.
###
142 EAST ONTARIO STREET
CHICAGO. ILLINOIS 60611 PHONE/312-266-4550 FAX/312-266-4564
A UNIT OF KPTCHUM COMMUNICATIONS. INC./ OFFICES THROUGHOUT TRE WORLD.
$, NOV-14-96 18:05 From: WENDY'S CORPORATE TRAINING DEPT
6147663919
T-876 P.03/18 Job-742
To:
Nicole Rabner
From:
Date:
November James 1996
Jann Heffner
Re:
Thoughts about adoption initiatives
Nicole:
Sorry these are a little late - I had a sick kid at home! I've done a brief list of
critical questions which should be valuable to answer as you chart out the
adoption initiatives over the next few months. They break out into the following
areas:
A. Child welfare specific
B. Funding
C. System reform
D. Technical/reporting issues
A. Child Welfare Specific
1. What is the current status of foster children in each state?
a. Total number "in care" (i.e. on rolls) in each state
b. Average length of time spent in foster care and average number
of foster placements
C. Number of children in long term foster care and average length of
time in long term foster care. Average age of those children in
long term foster care and racial composition of those in long term
foster care. Percentage of those under age six in long term foster
care.
d. Number of children in "independent living". Average age and
racial composition of those in "independent living."
e. Percentage of children in "foster-adopt" placements
1 NOV-14-96 18:05 From:WENDY'S CORPORATE TRAINING DEPT
6147663919
T-876 P.04/18 Job-742
f. Number of children in psychiatric/treatment facilities in state and
out of state
2. Juvenile corrections/child welfare data
a. Percentage of children in juvenite corrections populations who
were first involved in child welfare system
b. Percentage of children in juvenile corrections who were initially
involved in children's mental health or mental retardation/dd system
3. Education system/foster care/adoption relationship
a. Are special arrangements made for foster children with regard
to tutoring, class placements, special ed/behaviorally handicapped
accessibility?
b. For adopted children, are specialized classes, programs or
private educational opportunities available?
4. Children's mental health system and foster care
a. Are specialized therapists available to work with both foster
and adopted children? Are the therapists available limited to
those provided within the Medicaid system or are specialists
in grief, attachment, post-traumatic stress, etc. allowed to work
with more traumatized youngsters?
b. Are there substance abuse counselors and programs available
for foster and adoptive children?
C. Are pre-adoptive children provided with adoption preparation?
d. Are prospective parents provided with adequate tools to understand
adoption issues?
e. Are post-adoption services, especially counseling, available to
families?
5. Training issues
a. Are child welfare workers trained in a multi-disciplinary mode
along with court and mental health workers?
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b. Is there emphasis placed on child development and on permanency
planning (not just foster care)?
C. Is there specialized training for supervisors in area of adoption?
6. Accountability issues
a. Are workers tracked to determine appropriate outcomes for
kids, i.e. indicating adherence to timelines, movement toward
adoption?
b. Are supervisors being held accountable for permanency
outcomes all the way to the top?
B. Funding Issues
These are some of the funding streams which are potentially available for
investment in reducing barriers for adoption because they either directly relate to
the issues as a prevention tool or provide important supportive capacities.*
Department of Education:
Title I
Health and Human Services:
SAMSA
NIOA, NIAA
Child Development Programs
ACYF
Department of Justice:
OJJDP
VOCA
NIJ
State Justice Institute
* I have another list I'll send you later; I can't lay my hands on it this minute.
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C. Systems Issues
1. Legal and Judicial
a. State legislation can often stand in the way of expediency - i.e. some
states require that a home must be found before termination of parental
rights can occur, but "legal risk" adoptions are often turned down by
prospective parents, thus creating a catch 22.
b. Judges. court administrators, GALs and attorneys need a much
stronger education in child welfare issues generally and adoption
specifically.
C. Jurisdictional issues, including vertical administration of cases, present
grave barriers to court efficiency.
d. Court improvement plans will be emerging rapidly and should present
some very explicit recommendations. In the meantime, I've enclosed a
draft executive summary for you.
2. Mental Health/MR/DD/Education
Community mental health, MR/DD, education, substance abuse and juvenile
corrections are operating, in the main, on parallel tracks, rarely becoming
synchronized in mission, philosophy, funding or outcome for children. This
creates unconscionable confusion for funders, workers, families and children.
This is a topic on which much has been written, but little has been done until
mission and funding integration takes place we're wasting tremendous amounts
of energy and dollars...see funding and welfare specific topics.
D. Technical and Reporting Issues
1. Integration of data bases concerning services to children and families is
critical, otherwise the accountability for "who spent what on whom, for what and
what difference did it make?" won't be resolved.
a. This is particularly critical when it comes to the child welfare system. As
we have spoken at length - the SACWIS/AFCARS information systems
have the capability of truly connecting and reporting much of this data.
With some technical re-evaluation and an extension to court and
mental health information systems, a much more useful tracking
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system could occur.*
EDS, CASA and the Dallas Juvenile Court will begin a pilot to begin
such an integration system which could serve as a national model.*
b. Also, there is an excellent opportunity for a regional or national
adoption or Internet exchange with the cooperation of several national
partners. HHS has been interested in this and has funded, under
Adoptech opportunities, the beginnings of such a system. By moving
ahead with an advisory group and with another funding year available
under SACWIS, this is a doable project which could bring the latest
technology to the most vulnerable children.**
C. Several courts are currently struggling to get control of the permanency
planning problems through automation and are finally getting a handle
on where the kids are within their system. They are demanding
accountability at all levels of the child serving system and are able to
benchmark human and time resources necessary for each step of the
process.
* I have enclosed a brief summary of a report on a regional Adoption exchange
site.
** I have enclosed national CASA's current grant application schedule for your
information.
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-Final Draft-
Court Improvement Program
Report to the Nation Survey
Sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation
Richard Gable
National Center for Juvenile Justice
August, 1996
Introduction
For the past two years, states participating in the Court Improvement Program of
the Children's Bureau (US Department of Health and Human Services), have bexas
involved in a process to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their ability to adequately
deal with cases of child abuse and neglect in the courts. While a voluntary program. forty
seven states and the District of Columbia have chosen to participate in this effort. In each
instance, the state has developed a plan for assessing the nature and quality of its judicial
practice with the goal of developing a set of recommendations for improvement over the
next three years.
Assessment activities have been varied and innovative. in some states,
responsibility for the assessment has been assigned to staff of the Administrative Office of
the Supreme Court or further delegated to another state agency. In other states, child
advocacy agencies have conducted the survey. In still others, responsibility for the
assessment has been contracted to a local college or university. or has been conducted by
an independent research agency that competed for the work following a request for
proposals.
The innovation evidenced by states in conducting their assessments was aided. in
large part, by a series of pre-assessment meetings held in three locations across the
country in 1994. These meetings. sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation, were designed to
provide both contextual and practical information to state teams responsible for the
assessment process. Included in the program were sessions focused on research method,
survey design, observation techniques and organization of an assessment team. These
regional meetings, available to all participating states were seen as a real asset to the
participants and set the stage for a rigorous assessment of judicial processing of cases of
child abuse and neglect. At those initial meetings, it was announced that a survey of
assessments would be conducted towards the end of the initial phase of the program, This
report is the result of that survey.
Method
The Court Improvement Program Survey was developed using items derived by
Mark Hardin at the American Bar Association Its intent was to assess the results of state
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assessments regarding issues found to be important. and, further, to catalogue
implementation activities that were planned in response to the assessment. Realizing that
states were in various stages of assessment, respondents were asked to identify issues and,
further, to provide a "certainty" score that indicated the degree to which the response was
likely to become a part of the final assessment report. This score proved quite valuable in
computing survey results. Following the initial design, the survey was pre-tested in two
states and changes made to clarify the intent of questions and instructions.
The resulting survey was conducted by mail. using the original list of participants
in the regional conferences as respondents. For each of the participating states, the four
person team attending the assessment conference was notified, with instructions to pass
the survey on to others if appropriate. This 'redundancy' in respondents led to a response
form forty two of the forty seven participating states. At least one, and as many as three
respondents completed the survey in a four week period of time in June and July, 1996.
Follow-up calls to the remaining five states did not produce completed survey forms.
Survey results were analyzed to provide scores for each item and to incorporate
written contextual comments. In assigning rankings to the items, the "oertainty" score
was used as the primary criterion as it was found to provide the best measure of the
solidity of the finding and the best prediction regarding the potential for subsequent
activities in the implementation phase of the program.
Results
Assessment Progress
Respondents were asked two preliminary questions regarding the conduct of the
assessment and its results. When asked about the stage of completion of the assessment,
states, on the average, were two thirds (66.3%) complete. Most had collected data and
were in the stage of analyzing findings and completing the final report. Five states
reported that their assessment was complets, two said they were just in the beginning
(<10%) stage of their assessment.
When asked how many individuals had participated in the assessment (either
through surveys, observation, focus groups, etc.) respondents indicated that, on the
average, 450 persons had been involved. This ranged from a high of 1500 to a low of
150. In total, more than 18,000 people had been somehow involved in the assessment
process.
Issues
Based on the "certainty" scores, the top five issues that have emerged from the
assessment are ranked below. Each of these items represents a "problem area" that was
identified in the assessment:
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1. Quality and timeliness of required reports and assessments by caseworkers,
CASA/GAL and review boards. (36 states, certainty sscore:330)
Sample comments:
"Reports and assessments are not shared in a timely fashion. Unless pre-trial
conferences are mandated, most of these participants share reports and information on the
day of the hearing"
"Citizen Review Boards and CASA's were found to report in a timely fashion, but
7
not caseworkers"
"Deadlines for reports need to be kept...this has significantly slowed the progress
of cases"
"Delays only in terms of Citizen Review Boards"
"Too many players with no timely information for review. We found the Citizen
8
Review Boards to be the least helpful"
"The report by the caseworker is to be studied for specifics on reasonable efforts
This is never presented on time"
"There is significant difference in the response of these parties from county to
county. It seems to be a local, not a state standard"
2. Selection, training and adequacy of attorneys and GAL's (35 states, certainty
score:318)
Sample Comments:
"Inadequate funding for contract attomcys...does not attract high quality. skilled
people"
"Indigent defense system will no longer participate in deprived cases per newly
passed law. Representation will be decided at the local court level."
"All players, excepts for CYS attorneys and caseworkers,need training. Most had
none before their first case"
"There is no training for court-appointed attorneys"
3
P. 4
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"There is great concern over GAL performance and attracting experienced
X
attorneys for this role"
The experience of the attorney does not prepare him/her for the tasks required in
dependency hearings. In some ways, general attorney experience is counter productive to
good dependency outcomes"
3. Caseflow management and court delay (34 states, certainty score 310)
Sample comments:
"We need to know who, what when and how of docketing Need a gatekeeper
for case management"
"Continuances and unprepared attorneys are the main problem at = timely outcome
in these cases"
"One courtroom and one lawyer may the recommendation that will eliminate
calendar conflicts and will maximize the use of time"
"This is a larger problem in our urhan areas"
"The delays in the process and hearings are one thing. but reaching final decisions
is even worse"
"This is the number one problem...the court seems not able to control its own
destiny"
4. Timelines of the initiation and completion of termination of parental rights cases.
(34 states, certainty score 305)
Sample comments:
"Very complex procedure that drag on forever and impede permanency plans"
"Confusion over reunification mandate/philosophy. Lack of understanding by
some parties that parents must demonstrate desired outcome of plan rather than just
complete majority of plan items"
"There is & lack of specific information to proceed with a termination."
"Appeals can be a problem, causing time to be wasted. Courts seem reluctant to
X
proceed with termination cases, thus leaving children without a permanent home"
4
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5. Qualifications, training and knowledge of judicial officers. (32 states, certainty
score 300)
Sample commence:
"Judges, GAL's and Assistant Attorneys General all expressed desire for additional
training, especially regarding placement options and services for children"
"Most of these people knew nothing about these matters before assuming their
job"
"A major set of recommendations involves training for all actors, especially
judges"
"Most judges want to do well. but the volume of cases in other matters takes
priority. Also, the relevant statute changes almost every year and judges don't have time
to study the new law in relation to the old."
Remaining Issues
Other issues that emerged as less troublesome, but worthy of note involved the
thoroughness and quality of hearings, the quality of court information and record keeping.
time required to prepare properly for a hearing, and the adequacy of court facilities.
Implementation Plans
Generally, respondents were less certain regarding the specific plans that would be
implemented or recommended based on the assessment. They were able, however, to
identify a number of general areas that would or should be addressed. The top five arcas
for change are listed in order below.
1. Improving judicial expertise (37 states, certainty score 342)
Sample comments:
"We have identified many areas for future waining"
"Judicial training and on-going education is a big component of our assessment. It
is the primary focus of our implementation"
"Training for judges and attorneys is the first of seven major recommendations
from the assessment"
"Training of judges in child placement options is very important"
5
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"Hopofully education of the judiciary will result in juvenile court seen as a valued
part of the judicial system"
3. Reducing delays through improved caseflow management (33 states, certainty
score: 298)
Sample comments:
"Reduction of calender conflicts and more efficiency in time usage has bean
achieved by blocking judges calendars and assigning a single lawyer to each judge"
"We desperately need to speed up our timeframes"
"We plan to work on developing meaning caseflow management strategies to
reduce delay"
"This is the number one priority, will require the will to see it through"
3. Developing process to ensure meaningful permanency planning hearing. (31
states, certainty score: 293)
Sample comments:
"The key to this for us is permanency...our hearings are not bout this now"
"Permanency hearings will be recommended at 10-12 months. The form and
substance of those hearings will be developed during the carly stages of implementation"
"We don't have a designated permanency planning hearing...we need one"
"A tickler file will be developed to monitor when the permanency planning hearing
is due so that proper preparations can be made"
4. Ensuring quality representation for all parties (34 states, certainty score:292)
Sample comments:
"Plans call for training and evaluation of judges, DSS attorneys and GAL's. We
will develop ways to compensate appointed attorneys"
"GAL training and reducing their caseloads is a priority"
"Increasing the number of defense lawyers"
"We will develop contracts for GAL's"
6
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"The judges are the most interested in seeing this one adequately addressed"
5. Improving the quality of court information (31 states, certainty score:275)
Sample comments:
"Until the rapid turnover of social workers decreases and DHS training addresses
the needs of the court and the child rather than just federal regulations. court information
will not improve."
"Disposition codes will be changed to more accurately reflect what happened at
the hearings"
"We will develop waining to impose a consistent format for information sent to
and from the court"
Other Plans
In addition to these implementation plans, respondents noted additional items
including improving coordination and relationships with outside agencies. developing
processes to ensure more thorough hearings, reducing waiting time for hearings, and
improving the "user friendly" name of the court process.
Summary
The assessment process of the Court Improvement Project has produced a great
deal of detailed information describing flaws and omissions in the processing of cases of
child abuse and neglect. These findings have led to a wide range of implementation plans
for improvement. In most instances respondents reported widely differing conditions
across their state, with major differences between rural and urban settings. Clearly the
challenge for the future will be to press forward with the implementation while
recognizing and responding to the diversity existing within a state.
7
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name out & cut sint in dontent m wrfedence Special
Needs Adoption in
April 4, 1996
has but I be
Key Facts
FY95 the state spent more than $4 million on the purchase of special needs
adoption.
FY96 it has reduced that amount to $3.5 million
FY97 the proposed allocation for adoption services is down to $ 3.2 million.
From May 1995 to January 1996, no new referrals from DSS were sent to any
private agencies in the state. Very few have been sent since.
Some private agencies that rely on referrals from DSS have laid off more than 40%
of their staff and/or are considering going out of business this summer.
The backlog of children, especially special needs adoptions, in need of permanent
homes remains at 4,500 which is an all time high.
The new managed care system of reimbursement to adoption services providers,
on a fixed fee basis, is a disincentive for service providers to recommend all the
necessary services that children who have been in state care typically need.
especially the large number of older children.
The capacity to supply special needs adoption services throughout the private sector is
being seriously depleted. The state's public/private partnership, a model for the rest of the
country, has been seriously compromised. The immediate cause of this crisis and
disintegration is the suspension of referrals of children by the state to private sector
agencies commencing in May 1995 continuing into April 1996 (a complete suspension
from May to January and thereafter a resumption at a drastically reduced rate). This
suspension has both short and longer term serious financial ramifications for both the
service providers and the State. When combined with the more fundamental
shortcomings of the state's system for payments (not based on actual needs of children but
a fixed fee) to private agencies for adoption and permanent placements - a crisis has been
created for the State adoption service providers in their ability to carry out their mandate
of serving the interests of the children least able to advocate for themselves and most in
need in the State of
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I. The Two Main Issues:
1.
The private sector agencies, because of the suspension of referrals, no longer have
the cash flow to sustain their adoption services beyond the cases that will be
generated in the next few months (from referrals made prior to May 1995).
2.
The capitated system of reimbursement does not start with needs but attempts to
cap costs with fee incentives. In the case of special needs adoptions this approach
may prove to be not only short sighted and more expensive in the long run to the
State as well the larger society, but in addition the growing literature and data on
trauma and the consequences of attachment disorder show a strong correlation
between children who grow up outside healthy permanent family relationships and
their propensity towards committing violent offenses as adults. The capitated
system definitely increases risk of failure in placements from poor preparation.
II. How Did We Get Here?
Adoption of children under state protection is not just a process of legalization. In most
cases, adoption cannot go forward successfully unless certain needs are addressed. First,
it is critical to address the child's physical/medical needs because it is essential that a new
family fully understand the challenges they will face with their child. Second, even
before matching a child with a family, the child needs to begin to understand past
relationships, abusive as well as supportive. That understanding is a life task that echoes
throughout a person's growing-up years and beyond. Violence, sexual abuse and severe
neglect that is prevalent in the lives of most of these children, leave major gaps in
development that need to be addressed, but often need post adoption services to ensure
long term adjustment to the family. Thirdly, adoption means fighting for the child's
movement through the court/legal system to a new family. All of this is true whether the
state provides these services directly or purchases the service from a private agency.
has always been a leader in purchasing service from the private sector
(privatization as it is now called). There has always been a strong private/public
partnership. In the last seven years, however, the state has had three different purchase
systems for adoption services. All have been designed with the hope that children would
move most efficiently into stable, permanent families. None of the systems have taken
into the account the full and actual costs of providing the service. This problem of
properly accounting for actual cost needs an extremely careful and realistic examination.
To address the new model's shortcomings the state hired a consulting firm to evaluate it.
In the Spring of 1995 it suggested a number of improvements including improvements in
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the payment structure for the oldest children and those who face the most challenges, a
better post adoption payment system and a stronger public/private partnership.
Agencies were encouraged to expand their services and develop in niches where they can
contribute most effectively. A number of agencies increased their contribution of private
services and dollars to the mix. Private, non-profit agencies used grants and other
donations to move into new and/or expanding markets. As a result successful efforts by a
number of agencies and the
K to bring in additional
federal dollars as well as the
have improved the
system.
Despite these problems and limitations, the private sector continued in an effective
partnership with the state. A degree of stability was established even if at an inadequate
level of reimbursement. The assumed stability allowed the agencies to plan for staffing
and gave them a somewhat clearer target for making up the shortfall from the chronic
underpayment inherent in the system. They knew what they needed to make up through
fund raising, grants and in-kind donations. This assumed stability provided a stop-gap
until the system could be thoroughly analyzed and reformed in the future.
Stopping the flow of children's referrals in May 1995 brought this strained system to the
breaking point. This system that needs reform and improvement instead received a
destructive blow. With referrals stopped and the resultant cash flow problems created,
the private agencies cannot be expected to continue to make this system work for the
children who are waiting.
Resumption of referrals will only begin to improve cash flow for private service providers
no earlier than a year from the time they will resume in earnest. No less than a year gap
is thus created during which little new income from the state will be forthcoming. To the
extent that agencies depend on revenue from the state based on referrals, there will not be
adequate cash flow to sustain daily operations. Beyond the one year gap, a further period
of six to eighteen months of waiting is required for some, if not most, of the revenue that
new referrals will generate, because any payment by the state only comes to the agency
after the child has been permanently placed or legally adopted. Typically it takes 6
months to 2 years after referral toiplace a child permanently. Private agencies therefore
are left with few choices, all of which are seriously destructive to their ability to continue
providing special needs adoption services. They can refuse to accept referrals, since they
will not have the income to pay salaries to perform needed services. They can either shift
their social workers to other endeavors, if available; or they must continue to lay off these
experienced social workers and concentrate the remainder of an agency's efforts on other
activities where receipt of immediate payment is possible, if such can be found. Final
alternatives are for agencies to attempt to find already badly stretched private donations
adequate to fill this large cash flow gap or go out of business.
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III. The Results
For almost 1/4 of the children in the state's protection, who need adoption, the current
crisis has meant 8 additional months of waiting. Child welfare experts agree that the
longer a child stays in foster care, the more harmful it is to him/her. Beyond even the
effects of impermanence in foster care is the multiplier effect of time that it takes to place
an older child or a child who has special needs. The older a child. the longer it takes to
get him/her settled into a permanent family. On top of these waiting children there are
those who will come after. The erosion of the system will have lasting effects. Even for
children with moderate needs it can take 12 or 24 months or more to achieve legal
permanence.
Agencies that don't or cannot add sufficient funds to maintain quality of service will
either compromise that quality or stop delivering the service. When that happens, the
state will not just lose the benefit of the service dollar that it has been expending, it will
lose the value added by private agencies, the additional services, support, in-kind
contributions and community involvement that go with a private agency based service.
There is a general lack of understanding of the value added by private agencies. For
example, the multi-million dollar
grant for adoption systems reform
was made to a coalition of public and private agencies, led by private agencies. In the
process of budget cutting, if the state unknowingly dismantles the existing system of
private/public partnership it will have to add millions of additional dollars just to get back
to the level of service that is currently being provided as a result of the partnership built
up over years between various foundations, private donors, grants, the private agencies
fund raising and the State.
IV. Solutions
1.
The immediate design and implementation of an emergency financial plan to
preserve the state's capacity to provide special needs adoption through the private
sector.
2.
A follow up to this emergency plan should be the establishment of executive
commission at the highest level to perform a thorough review and refinement of
the existing product based system to achieve a fair, realistic, cost effective and
sustainable public private partnership based on actual needs & costs, as well
as the State's budgetary constraints.
page 4
COUNT CM. THE
THE STATE STATE OF THE THE
The Supreme Court of Ohio
EVELYN L. STRATTON
JUSTICE
30 EAST BROAD STREET, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43266-0419
(614) 466-2926