Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
24822556
label
National Adoption Center
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
24822556
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
National Adoption Center
citationUrl
collections
Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Nicole Rabner's Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
24822556
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
42-t-7763278-20121035S-023-006-2015
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
834671816f401009
ocrText
NATIONAL ADOPTION CENTER
1500 Walnut Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 (215) 735-9988
"There are no unwanted children just unfound parents.'
CAROLYN L. JOHNSON
Executive Director
NATIONAL ADOPTION CENTER
1500 Walnut St., Suite 701, Philadelphia, PA 19102
PHOTOCOPY
(215) 735-9988
FAX: 735-9410
PRESERVATION
CLINTON LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY
NATIONAL ADOPTION CENTER
Carolyn L. Johnson
1500 Walnut Street
Suite 701
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 735-9988
Fax (215) 735-9410
Executive Director
neide
mel
Pis
me
pus
March 27, 1997
Melanne Verveer
Deputy Chief of Staff to the First Lady
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Melanne,
The National Adoption Center is delighted with the leadership that President and Mrs.
Clinton have taken in the adoption of U.S. children who are waiting for permanent
homes. We have reviewed the Adoption 2002 Report, support it and view it as a
valuable blueprint for much-needed change. We were especially pleased that the issue
of geographic boundaries that keep children from being adopted has been addressed.
It is critical to keep emphasizing that states do not "own" these children and must be
willing to place them across state lines with interested and appropriate families. It is no
longer acceptable to use geography--any more that it is to use race-- as a barrier.
We do have a couple of concerns that we'd like to share with you: Although the
President's directive, issued on December 14, 1996, pointed out the need for public
call
awareness and the use of Internet technology, the Adoption 2002 Report makes little
mention of either of these activities. Even the modest sum of $1 million that the
President requested in the Administration's budget for a public awareness campaign was
not spelled out in the Report.
As a result of having created families for waiting children for the past 25 years, we know
that the public responds to a strong, thoughtful message about the children's availability.
The message must include a response mechanism (a toll-free telephone number and
URL) and be directed to audiences likely to include potential adopters. When we place
waiting children on national television shows, for instance, we receive anywhere from
several hundred to several thousand responses. Our most recent TV show which Maury
Povich aired in November, 1996 during National Adoption Month brought 13,000
responses through the telephone and the Internet. More public awareness is critical if
we are going to find homes for the waiting children.
Page 1
"There are no unwanted children
just unfound parents." "
Our FACES of ADOPTION site on the Internet, which provides a wealth of adoption
information as well as pictures and descriptions of waiting children, receives an average
of 1.5 million hits each month from prospective adopters. We are especially pleased that
14 children have found homes as a direct result of families seeing them on our Internet
site. One child--a teenager from Pennsylvania who has cerebral palsy and mild mental
retardation and who is legally blind--found a permanent home with a family from
Anchorage, Alaska. Last month, four children from Missouri were placed in adoptive
families--a 14 year old girl whose new home is in lowa and a sibling group of three who
are now living with their adoptive parents in the state of Washington. (see attached
photos)
We would be happy to work with anyone you designate to share our ideas and help
design productive public awareness programs, using traditional techniques as well as
new technology. We appreciate our ongoing relationship with the First Lady and with
your office, and look forward to talking with you about how our ideas can become a more
substantial part of the President's initiative.
Best regards,
Carolyn L. Johnson
Executive Caulge Director
CLJ:pp
CC: Nicole Rabner
Attachments
Page 2
Adoption 2002
Submitted by:
Carolyn L. Johnson
National Adoption Center
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 701
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone:
215-735-9988
Fax:
215-735-9410
1. CREATE AND MAINTAIN A PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM
In order to double the number of adoptions by 2002, people must know that they
exist, who they are, how to go about the adoption process, what life in an adoptive
family will be like, and what benefits and other resources exist to support adoptive
families.
A pitfall to avoid is a public awareness campaign that raises interest, but gives little
valuable information or creates awareness without providing a responsive
mechanism.
A successful public awareness and education program should be all of the following:
*
Involve a team of people in the planning, support and visibility of the
program: President and Mrs. Clinton are in a position to convene a top level group
of people from the corporate, media, religious, entertainment, advertising and child
welfare arenas. The Ad Council can be approached for support. Highly visible and
well respected spokespeople can be asked to be involved. Suggestions include:
Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey and Bryant Gumbel. Dave Thomas and Wendy's
International has made a tremendous contribution in public awareness, are focusing
on the kinds of children who are waiting, and have some new minority initiatives.
*
Targeted to the appropriate audience: The message, the media, the format
and the timing will be different for reaching the Latino community as opposed to
recruiting families for developmentally disabled teenagers. A variety of resources
should be utilized, including collaboration with existing local and state adoption
agencies and parent groups. Existing adoptive and foster families and even children
who have been or are waiting to be adopted are excellent and credible
spokespersons and often have access to the targeted audiences. A public awareness
program should not be limited to a mass marketing appeal.
*
Continuous and repetitious: Some of the best campaigns visible today
come out of the Partners for a Drug Free America. Drug use in the overall population
has declined. Their message is continuously and repetitiously heard. Marketing
National Adoption Center 1/10/97
experts remind us that an average person has to hear something at least seven times
before even thinking about responding to it. Thus, a one-shot, or seasonal media
blitz will not serve our purposes well.
*
Educational in focus: People need real, usable information about the actual
children that are available and how to move ahead in the process. They also need a
realistic presentation of the issues and challenges they will face. Adoption
information can be provided in a diverse array of venues, making use of materials
and resources already in existence. Adoption agencies are an important, but not the
only gatekeepers the information. Offering adoption seminars through church and
community groups, on public television, over the Internet, and through community
continuing education programs and community colleges are all viable options.
Adoption information can be as available at the community level as driver's ed or
family planning.
*
Interactive: When a person's interest in adoption is sparked, they need a
resource to turn to ask their own specific questions and receive personalized
responses in a timely, friendly and efficient manner. The toll-free number at the
National Adoption Exchange and state and regional adoption exchanges are excellent
resources. However, adequate funding must be provided for appropriate staffing to
allow for timely and efficient responses.
* Make all the children visible via the internet: The numbers of people
using the internet is growing exponentially as more people access it at home, in the
workplace and in their communities. Photolisting on the internet is replacing or
augmenting photolisting books because of the timeliness of updating and the wide
exposure for the children. All states need to make their waiting children visible
throughout the country to increase their chances of placement by establishing their
own websites and/or listing their children on the national website, FACES of Adoption.
II. REMOVE GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS TO THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN: Just
as the Multiethnic Placement Act (MEPA) addressed the removal of racial and ethnic
barriers preventing permanency for children, strenuous efforts must be made at the
federal level to remove geographic barriers to the placement of children. Many of the
barriers are created at the home study phase of the adoption process and can be
remedied by the following steps:
* Home study portability and reciprocity: A home study completed and
approved by any licensed adoption agency in the country should be available to and
recognized by any other adoption agency in the country. Public agencies should not
be able to claim "ownership" of home studies. Currently, most public agencies will
not share their home studied, approved families across state lines, or even across
county lines. Public and private agencies should be provided with incentives to share
families and penalized for a failure to do SO. It makes no sense for an enthusiastic
National Adoption Center 1/10/97
and approved Missouri family to become frustrated as their home study expires a
year later with no child placed in their home while just up the river in Illinois a child
continues to wait for permanence.
* Expedited home studies: Families who make inquiries about adoption in
response to public awareness campaigns are often frustrated and lose heart when
their overburdened local public agency is not able to engage them in a home study
process for weeks, months or even years. The federal government can play a role by
providing incentives to states for providing home studies to all inquiring families in a
timely manner. While the social work and legal aspect of a home study needs to be
completed at a local level, regional and national exchanges can be a resource to
assist families in preparing for adopting and creating the file of required
documentation. With the use of technology, several stages of the home study could
be completed at the regional or even national level, which would both expedite and
standardize the process.
* Better use of regional and national adoption exchanges: Children's
caseworkers, CASA and GAL volunteers should all have training and knowledge
about how to register their children on their state, regional and national exchange;
and how to complete an interstate or intrastate cross-county placement. Caseworkers
should be required to document recruitment efforts that are not confined within
geographically restricted areas and rewarded for doing so. Agencies across county
or state lines who cooperatively work together towards effecting the placement of a
waiting child should be acknowledged and rewarded. Those agencies who keep
children waiting in their caseload without aggressively pursuing cross-jurisdictional
placement options should be penalized.
III. PROMOTE INNOVATION AND REWARD SUCCESS: Some of the greatest
barriers to providing permanence for waiting children lie in worker attitudes (i.e.
"These children are unadoptable"; or "There are not any families") and in "turf"
issues. The federal government has the opportunity, particularly by innovative use of
a fully-funded Adoption Opportunities Act, to promote innovation and reward success.
Grants could be given to programs - including large public agencies as well as small,
private, specialty agencies and exchanges, which demonstrate successful outcomes.
Allow states to "do what works" and then reward them for it. If states know that their
pool of money will be increased as they demonstrate success in the placement of
children, they will find innovative ways to motivate workers, shape worker attitudes
and break down artificial "turf" barriers. As these innovations are publicly
acknowledged and rewarded, they will become the models upon which other states
and agencies will build.
IV. INCREASE ACCESS TO AND AVAILABILITY OF POST ADOPTION SERVICES:
Permanence for children is not achieved when a child is placed into an adoptive
home if that adoption ultimately disrupts. Adoptive parenting children who have
National Adoption Center 1/10/97
experienced multiple moves, abuse, neglect, and/or other traumas in their lives is
uniquely challenging. Post placement services are vital to the success of any
adoption plan. As more and more emphasis is placed on recruitment of families and
placement of children it is critical to provide a corresponding increase in the
availability of and access to quality post adoption services. Once again, incentives
and rewards can be offered to states demonstrating the creation and maintenance of
successful post adoption services.
V. INCREASE ACTUAL PLACEMENTS OF CHILDREN, NOT JUST FINALIZATIONS
OF ADOPTIONS: Whenever the focus of an adoption initiative is on numbers, there
is a temptation to get those numbers up by simply finalizing the adoptions of children
already in permanent settings. There is, indeed, a value to legally completing
adoptions. Permanence remains an illusion for many children who remain in foster
care simply because no one has the time or resources to tie up the legal loose ends
required to legally recognize their place in their family. Yet we must avoid the pitfall
of scrambling around to finalize a lot of foster parent adoptions simply as a means of
getting numbers up, while the children who have no permanent resource at all
continue to wait and to move from one temporary placement to another. The goal of
the president's initiative should be to double the actual number of permanent
placements for children, not simply to double the number of finalized adoptions. We
need to be careful how we count success.
VI. ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR ADOPTION BENEFITS FOR FEDERAL
EMPLOYEES: An executive order that would implement adoption benefits for all
federal employees would be the most efficient way to provide equity for government
employees, whether they choose parenting through adoption or birth. Presently,
there are no provisions for the reimbursement of adoption-related expenses for
federal employees and there are inconsistencies in what is received by those who are
entitled. An executive order would obviate the need to go through the lengthy
process of legislative approval. An order would mandate a designated level or
reimbursement to cover adoption costs, paid and unpaid leave time and resource and
referral services which are offered prior to and following an adoption. By issuing this
order, the President clearly makes adoption a top priority, joins with employers in the
private sector who have already made the commitment, and encourages state
governments and others to follow suit. It is a bold move that will garner much
positive feeling from families, at a minimal cost to the government.
VII. PROMOTE CORPORATE ADOPTION BENEFITS AND INVOLVEMENT IN
FINDING HOMES FOR US WAITING CHILDREN: The National Adoption Center has
a plan through the Kelloggs Families for Kids initiative to name and recognize
corporations who are "Champions of Adoption." Criteria to receive this award include
1) providing the entire array of adoption benefits (paid leave, pre and post adoption
resource and referral services and reimbursement for adoption expenses) and 2)
support and involvement in adoption services for US waiting children on the local,
National Adoption Center 1/10/97
state and/or national level by, for example, financial or in-kind contributions to
adoption agencies or adoptive parent groups recruiting families in their company,
taking a leadership role in their corporate community in promoting adoption benefits
and providing employees access to the internet to gather adoption information.
VIII. PROVIDE FULL FUNDING ($30 MILLION) FOR THE ADOPTION
OPPORTUNITIES ACT: Many of the above suggestions can be carried out if there
are additional funds offered through the Adoption Opportunities Act. The incentives
to states can be done on a demonstration basis with a limited number of states
participating to see if this is an effective way to increase adoptive placements.
National Adoption Center 1/10/97
Faces of Adoption
http://www.inet.net/adopt/placed/502227.htm
Faces of Adoption
Next
PLACED
AdoptionQuest
Home Page
E-Mail
PLACED
Steven is a cheerful, energetic young man who thoroughly
enjoys outside activities, especially those which utilize his
large motor skills. He is very sports oriented. All of his
interests help him release his energy, yet leave him very
bouncy and upbeat.
Steven has Cerebral Palsy, is considered Legally Blind,
and has mild to moderate (trainable) Mental Retardation.
He has difficulty expressing himself and his problem
solving skills are impaired. He also wears a brace on one
leg.
In school he attends special education classes where he
Steven
functions below his age level, but is cooperative and
ID# 502227
cheerful. He is most comfortable with children younger
DOB7/80
than himself, adores babies, and is not aggressive.
Download Picture
Structure and medication have helped Steven focus his
Steven
attention and control his impulses. At times he has to be
reminded to think before he acts. He will continue to need
Born:
July, 1980
special education to learn life skills, but hopefully he will
Age:
15
be able to work as an adult in a semi-supervised
Ethnicity: Caucasian
environment and live in a community living facility.
None of his setbacks have had an effect on Steven's spirit.
He is animated and playful and enjoys affection, especially
DISABILITIES
from his foster mother. His social worker is looking for a
Physical:
Mild
one or two-parent family with the energy to keep up with
him. Steven is eligible for financial subsidy.
Emotional: None
Mental:
Moderate
Learning:
None
Residence: Pennsylvania
ID Number: 502227
Updated: 12/30/95
If you are interested in adopting, please call one of the numbers listed below or send us
e-mail. Make sure you refer to the child's ID Number.
1 of 2
3/27/97 12:41 PM
Faces of Adoption
http://www.inet.net/adopt/placed/346802.hm
Faces of Adoption
Next
Previous
AdoptionQuest
Home Page
E-Mail
PLACED
Christina is a friendly, talkative young lady who likes to
help her foster mom with the other children in their home.
A typical adolescent, Christina likes clothes, going
shopping and talking on the phone. She enjoys playing
video games and her favorite television show is "Sister,
Sister".
Due to her premature birth and poor care, Christina spent
extra time in the hospital after she was born and was also
hospitalized for failure to thrive when she was about one
and a half. At that time, she attended a day treatment
program to help overcome some developmental delays.
Christina
Christina is in special education classes. She presents
ID# 346802
behavioral difficulties at school. Christina gets into fights,
DOB 2/82
uses inappropriate language, and does not like to do her
Download Picture
school work.
Christina
Christina has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder and she takes medication to
Born:
February, 1982
mediate some of the symptoms. She is also small for her
Age:
14
age and receives medication on a daily basis for this
condition.
Ethnicity: Caucasian
As a result of many kinds of abuse, Christina will need
ongoing counseling to help her deal with her past
DISABILITIES
experiences. She would also like to be able to keep in
Physical:
Mild
touch with her siblings who have already been adopted.
Emotional: Moderate
This young girl needs a stable, committed family who has
Mental:
None
some knowledge of the ramifications of early abuse and
Learning:
Mild
neglect. While she needs the love and stability that all
children need, Christina also needs structure and limits
that are consistent. As an adolescent, she is probably
struggling with defining who she is; being part of a family
Residence:
Missouri
who values and cares for her could help her in this
ID Number: 346802
struggle.
Updated:
10/16/96
If you are interested in adopting, please call one of the numbers listed below or send us
e-mail. Make sure you refer to the child's ID Number.
1 of 2
3/27/97 12:45 PM
Faces of Adoption
http://www.inet.net/adopt/placed/mo285203.hm
Faces of Adoption
Next
Previous
AdoptionQuest
Home Page
E-Mail
PLACED
These three beautiful children need to be placed together.
Jariel is a little guy with an impish grin that could win
over anyone. He is currently attending a Head Start
program and has been doing very well. Jariel was a
full-term baby; however, he was born exposed to cocaine.
During his infancy, he experienced frequent ear infections,
but they became less frequent and eventually presented
few problems. Currently, Jariel is healthy, except that he
needs a circumcision to correct a condition called
phimosis which is an extremely tight foreskin. Jariel has
not experienced any adverse reactions to this condition.
Thomas
Jariel
ID# MO314833
ID# MO285203
Jariel is a friendly, playful child who is very inquisitive
DOB 10/92
DOB 5/91
and asks a lot of questions. Jariel needs a family that can
Dianna
nurture his curious nature. While he does not exhibit any
physical needs, he has a continued need for counseling to
ID# MO346091
DOB 3/94
deal with the separation, loss, and grief issues related to
his placement.
Download Picture
Thomas
Thomas, has sparkling brown eyes and a gorgeous smile.
He is a loving child who is bonded to his brother and
Born:
October, 1992
sister. Thomas was born drug exposed and there is little
Age:
3
information about his early developmental history.
Ethnicity: African
Thomas has a heart murmur that was recently diagnosed as
American
Ventricular Septal Defect which is an abnormal passage
between the left and right ventricles of the heart. The
diagnosing physician assured that Thomas will have a
DISABILITIES
normal, active life and that 60% of Ventricular Septal
Defects close spontaneously.
Physical:
None
Emotional:
None
Thomas needs antibiotics prior to any dental work or any
Mental:
procedure that might result in infection. Thomas also
None
needs a follow-up with a cardiologist around his 5th
Learning:
None
birthday. Otherwise, there is no evidence of any other
medical problems.
Residence: Missouri
He is an affectionate child who requires a lot of attention.
Thomas' new family needs to provide some structure in a
ID Number: MO314833
positive and reassuring manner.
Updated:
02/18/96
Dianna, is a beautiful little girl with short, brown, curly
hair, big brown eyes and an adorable smile. She has a
terrific personality and is a happy child. Dianna enjoys
playing with her brothers as well as playing games. She
loves "ring around the rosy", and she even tries to sing as
she plays.
1 of 3
3/27/97 12:43 PM
Faces of Adoption
http://www.inet.net/adopt/placed/mo285203.htm
Diana has a great appetite and loves food. She is a pleasure
to be around and her favorite things are coloring and
books.
Dianna was a full-term, healthy infant who is
developmentally on target. She began sitting up by herself
at six months and took her first steps at approximately ten
months. Dianna really began walking at thirteen months.
She has recently begun talking quite a bit. Dianna gets
along extremely well with both of her brothers.
It is important for these three children to be placed
together. They need a secure, stable family who can
provide Thomas with the structure and reassurance he
needs. Dianna with the tenderness she requires, and Jariel
with a place to explore his curiosity in all areas. All of
these children need a caring, supportive and loving
environment in which to grow into healthy adults.
Dianna
Jariel
Born:
March, 1994
Born:
May, 1991
Age:
2
Age:
5
Ethnicity: African
Ethnicity: African
American
American
DISABILITIES
DISABILITIES
Physical:
None
Physical:
None
Emotional: None
Emotional: Mild
Mental:
None
Mental:
None
Learning:
None
Learning: None
Residence: Missouri
Residence: Missouri
ID Number: MO346091
ID Number: MO285203
Updated: 02/18/96
Updated: 02/18/96
If you are interested in adopting, please call one of the numbers listed below or send us
e-mail. Make sure you refer to the child's ID Number.
Next
Previous
AdoptionQuest
Home Page
E-Mail
206 of 237
2 of 3
3/27/97 12:43 PM
FACES OF ADOPTION
FACT SHEET
Faces of Adoption is an exciting new way for families to learn about children
waiting to be adopted. This easy-to-use, computerized "photo listing book"
located on the World Wide Web of the Internet enables families to read about
children who need permanent homes.
A special section of the web site called AdoptionQuest provides families with
information on adoption-related topics including: How to adopt; issues in
adoption; lists of corporations offering adoption benefits; financial assistance
available and book reviews.
Faces of Adoption went on line in October, 1995. Since then:
The site has received over 1.5 million "hits".
While hits are primarily from the United States, Faces of
Adoption has been accessed in 44 other countries.
The average daily hits has increased to over 15,000 hits.
Usage in March increased by 46% over February.
265 Children have been featured.
The number of children added in March more than
doubled the number added in any prior month.
NetGuide Magazine gave Faces of Adoption a FOUR STAR
Rating: "Outstanding in its field. A must-see if you're interested
in the topic at hand."
Several children have placements pending as a result of being
seen by families on Faces of Adoption.
What People Are Saying About Faces of Adoption
"This is a very well done site and very impressive. I have recommended your site to other
webmasters as an example of how to do things right. You not only are doing a good technical
job but it is a good 'human job' also!"
A Technology Consultant
"Very good informational sections on disabilities, subsidies, etc. Keep up the good work!"
Prospective Adoptive Parent
"I think that this is a great service to provide and I'm glad to see this available. After reading
several of the children's profiles, I find myself wishing I was in a situation where I could adopt
one of these wonderful children. I want to help spread the word about your service."
A Friend of Adoption
"I'd like to see every child in America who is waiting for adoption to be listed on the Internet."
Adoptive Parent
"
The children's stories are poignant, but the copy is never sensational or sentimental. The
descriptions of the children and the challenges prospective parents would face are detailed with
honesty This is a welcome online home for kids who are looking for a 'forever' family."
Net Guide Magazine
"I have learned so much from your adoption information and have told many people in our
foster parent/adoptive parent association about this service. Thanks very much for your help
and your effort to bring families and children together."
Member of Parent Support Group
"You're doing a great job, keep up the good work! Not only are we actually getting solid and
detailed information on children we inquire about, the timeliness of the contacts with children's
caseworkers is unbelievable. Pat yourselves on the backs!
Adoptive Parent
"Just wanted to commend you for this page. Its a bright spot in a sometime darkened
world."
A Surfer
LOOKING
OR LOVE
Dave Thomas
with some of the
kids he wants to
help find homes.
never thought of myself as
I
anybody special. As a child, I
Full Circle
Through the Dave Thomas Foundation for
Adoption, I'm working to raise awareness
mostly thought of myself as
and to make adoption simpler
alone. You see, I was born out
of wedlock and adopted when
Every Child
and more affordable. The aver-
age adoption costs $9,000. most-
I was 6 weeks old. I never got to
ly because of legal fees. In Janu-
meet my birth parents because by
the time I learned who they were,
Deserves a
ary I testified before the House
Ways and Means Committee in sup-
they had passed away.
port of a $5,000 tax credit for parents
My adoptive mother died when I
was 5. I lived with my adoptive father
Family
who adopt. I also asked Congress to
support an additional $5,000 tax cred-
then, but the person who influenced
it for families that adopt children with
me the most was my adoptive grand-
special needs. This initiative passed the
mother-Minnie Sinclair.
FC
By Dave Thomas
House and is now in committee in the
She taught me early on about doing the
Senate. I encourage all of you to write your
right thing, working hard, doing a job well and hav-
senators and ask them to support this legislation.
ing fun, all values I have instilled in my own five children,
Believe me, I know how important it is for every child
as well. Most of all, she taught me that everyone has an
to have a loving family. Because without a family, I would
obligation to put back into life more than they take out.
not be where I am today. I was lucky. And I know it.
That's why I feel SO strongly about adoption, especially
For a free copy of A Beginner's Guide to Adoption, call the
now, since November is National Adoption Month. There
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption: 614-764-3009.
are 650,000 boys and girls in the foster-care system in this
country. Their stories could break your heart.
What do you think? Send letters to: Full Circle, FAMILY CIRCLE,
110 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011.
Recently I met a little boy in South Carolina. He had
been in so many foster homes that he literally couldn't re-
member his own name. In Chicago I met another boy who
Can You Open Your Heart
was only 9 years old and had lived in 17 foster homes.
The children pictured here are all in the foster-care
Unfortunately, these children are not unusual. In the
system and are waiting for loving homes and fami-
Chicago area alone, 36,000 children entered the child wel-
Photo. Robert Levit (top).
lies to call their own. For information on these and
fare system this year. and just over 1,000 were adopted.
other children who are eligible for adoption
Many of these kids have "special needs"-that is, they're
nationwide, call the National Adoption
older, have disabilities or were abused. Chicago's children
Center: 1-800-TO-ADOPT.
have counterparts throughout the country.
At the same time, there are thousands of families who
would love to adopt, but they either can't afford it or they
have given up after months of red tape. Even sadder, some-
times they just don't know these children exist.
The problem is that adoption laws vary from state to
state, and states and counties don't have the resources to
Julisa, 4; Jennie, 3
share information. This means that families may not
Jerry, 8
James, 10
know about kids just a state-or even a county-away.
Dave Thomas is founder of Wendy's Old-Fashioned Ham-
burgers. Proceeds from his books, "Dave's Way" and "Well
Done!" go to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
Rick, 14
Sarah, 14
176 Family Circle
Paul, 10; Keith, 13
In Depth
Making a difference
FINALISTS FOR THE1998
COMPUTERWORLD
SMITHSONIAN AWARDS
Every June we take a break from
Computerworld Smithsonian
Business and related
services
reporting on technology as a purely
7th Annual
Awards, which honor applications
Boll Atlantic
money-saving, productivity-
Computerworld
that improve society and our lives.
Information Systems
Diagnosing bhone network
enhancing, competitive advantage-
Smithsonian
Information technology is helping
problems Defore they happen
FedEx Corp.
creating bunch of bits that can rocket
Awards
the innovative heroes among us do
Tyle into the customer
fulliliment process
a company to fame and fortune.
the awe-inspiring. And when all is said
MCI Communications Corp.
Round-the-Clock telecom
On the next three pages, you'll meet six
and done, perhaps that is technology's
network caliability that
borrows public voice network
of the 50 finalists for the Seventh Annual
greatest gift.
capacity as needed
SpeakEZ
Usingvoice patterns to
identify individuals for credit
GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFITS
cards. security systems and
automated toller machines
Wal-Mart Stores. Inc.
Sharing delated sales data
with 10,000 veryfors
Database pairs kids
Education and academia
Saginaw Valley
State University
High school students access
supercomputers to can out
and adoptive families
environmental research
Stevens Institute of
Technology
Making computing vasive
atty, a 4-year-old African-American girl, was prenatally ex-
throughout Its college
posed to cocaine and other drugs. Her birth mother was HIV-
curnculum
positive, though Patty is not. Like other children locked in the
The Computer Museum
Exhibits that provide
foster care system. Patty was labeled "difficult" to adopt.
perspective on the impact of
Patty was in foster care for two years before she was
computers on our planet
matched with a family via the computerized database system of the
University of California.
Los Angoles
National Adoption Exchange (NAE), a program of the National Adop-
Computer simplation of
tion Center Typically, a child/family placement takes from several
apparatus such -
telnscones and
months to a few years, but the NAE was able to place Patty with her
spectromers
permanent family in only three months. No longer the withdrawn, tim-
Warren Consolidated
id child she was two years ago, Patty today participates in choir, jazz,
Schoois/Amoritech. Inc.
See story, page 102
ballet and tap dancing.
Environment. energy and
The NAE's database enables social workers to bring up possible
agriculture
matches quickly. "In no more than 10 seconds, I was able to print out
Adam Opcl AG
five prospective children for Patty's adoptive mother to review," says
Reducing use of hazardous
COUSINE materials
Karen Colalongo, regional child adoption coordi-
Consortium for International
nator at the NAE and Patty's social worker.
Earth Science Information
"When we first started out. we actually had a rec-
Network
Providing "1 PATEWAY to
FINALIST
ipe file box where we kept color-coded index cards
databases to help with public
on families, children and
ponevdension-aking
National
matches," says MariAnne
Marine Environmental
"
Technology Operation
Adoption
Clarke, deputy executive di-
Monitoring to protect the
aquatic ecosystem
Center
rector of the NAE. Now, the
L
Unix system has expanded
Chosapeake Bay Program
See sto V. page 102
to bulletin board services
Weyerhouser Co.
and electronic mail for social workers nation-
Modeling 30-year trees-
wide to access.
vesting S to
protect Owls an keep jobs
Via E-mail, social workers can easily find in-
Finance, insurance and
formation about interstate adoption. nontradi-
real estate
tional adoption (such as single parents and
Bank of America
transracial parents), disabilities and child wel-
Automating the handling of
Split-second database searching enabled
8 million transactions They
fare. They can also look beyond their local ju-
social workers to match Linda Bates Jones'
BIRTHDATE
Chicago Board of Trade
risdiction and place children in other states.
profile (see screen above) with that of Patty
Handheld units let traders
The NAE is working on an on-line program
write in trade data, reducing
(see screen at right). In just three months,
paper
called "Faces of Adoption," which will be avail-
Patty (above, center) joined her newadoptive
Fannle Mae
able on the Internet this summer at http://
family (from left to right), Jones, Sherita and
On-line financial analysis for
www.adopt.org/adopt.
low-income clients who want
Raquel.
to buy nomes
- By Joyce Chutchian-Ferranti, managing
Continued on page 102
editor, special projects
Making a difference, page 102
COMPUTERWORLD
JUNE 5, 1995
101
Welcome To
Faces of Adoption
America's Walting Children
Welcome Photolisting What's New Adoption Quest About NAC About CAP
Text Only Browsers
Welcome to Faces of Adoption
NetCuide
Rating in
Faces
EXTRAI
News Flash
@
D
Adoption Information
Children
:
Guest Book
New Photo Listings of Children
This site is enhanced for Netscape 2.0. Download Netscape Now
N
NETSCAPE
Now!
Edited by: Sue Flaxman ([email protected])
Supported by:
Net
DAVETHOMAS
FOUNDATION
KPMG
For ADOPTION
Communications
The Global L eader
Faces of Adoption
Next
Previous
AdoptionQuest
Home Page
E-Mail
29 of 102
Joey, born February 1982 is an adorable, bright eyed young man
with beautiful blonde hair, a winning smile and an enviable tan
after some time in the sun. Joey very much needs a permanent
family to call his own.
Joey has symptoms of a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. This
probably accounts for his small head and petite stature. His facial
features also appear characteristic of someone with fetal alcohol
syndrome.
Joey takes medication for seizures and has been diagnosed with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is in a class
D#:346542
for children with behavior problems and functions between the
second (2nd) and fourth (4th) grade level. Joey does not yet know
how to tell time and school and homework are a challenge.
Download Picture
He likes to watch television and loves outdoor activities. He
Joey
especially enjoys going camping and taking trips to the lake with
his foster family.
Born:
February, 1982
Age:
13
He has a good appetite! Joey even loves vegetables.
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Joey functions best in an environment with alot of structure. He is
used to a large family but would also adjust well to being part of a
small family.
DISABILITIES
Physical:
None
Subsidy and purchase of service are possibilities.
Emotional: Moderate
Mental:
None
Learning: Moderate
Residence: Kentucky
ID Number: 346542
Updated:
10/09/95
If you are interested in adopting, please call one of the numbers listed below or send us e-mail.
Make sure you refer to the child's ID Number.
Faces of Adoption
Next
Previous
AdoptionQuest
Home Page
E-Mail
42 of 121
Nicole, born November 1986, is a pretty little girl with a
bright smile. She has been in foster care since she was 9
months old and has had a number of placements including
an adoption disruption.
Her severe behavior problems have improved somewhat,
but she continues therapy and recently began taking
medication at the request of her therapist. She has been
diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Behavior.
Nicole is an excellent student. She can be sweet and loving
Nicole:
and is helpful with younger children and has done volunteer
work in a senior citizen home with her previous foster
*DOBAIL
mother.
Download Picture
Nicole likes to sing in her church choir. She is artistically
Nicole
inclined and loves to draw. In her leisure time, she enjoys
watching cartoons and the Fresh Prince of BelAir on
Born:
November, 1986
television.
Age:
9
Ethnicity: African
This little girl deserves the permanency and consistency of
American
a warm, loving adoptive family which can provide structure
and be tolerant of her behavior problems.
DISABILITIES
Subsidy and purchase of service are possibilities.
Physical:
None
Emotional: Moderate
Mental:
None
Learning: None
Residence: Georgia
ID Number: 346729
Updated: 02/18/96
If you are interested in adopting, please call one of the numbers listed below or send us
e-mail. Make sure you refer to the child's ID Number.
CyberGuide
SMILING FACES
NRA Firearms Page
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Just what do the gun laws say? Check
out federal
U.S. National Debt Clock
regulations on
You won't believe how fast the national
interstate transport of
A
toddler smiles shyly at the
debt is rising! The longer you wait
camera. He's wearing a
firearms or click on one
World Wide Web: http://www.brillig
crisp white shirt with a
of the 50 states, Washing-
.com/debt_clock
round collar, a plaid bow tie,
ton. D.C., or New York City.
and a blue vest.
World Wide Web: http://www.nra.org
His is among the many faces
/NRA-FALAWS.html
How Would You Spend the
of children registered with the
National Budget?
National Adoption Center, a non-
Want to cut defense and give all
profit group working to expand
The File Room Censorship
your tax money to
adoption opportunities for kids
Archives
the National Endow-
with special needs.
The Center's Web site,
This logically organized, easily acces-
ment for the Arts?
Faces of Adoption: America's
sible archival site was developed to
This interactive
Waiting Children, co-spon-
promote discussion and bring attention
poll lets you do
sored by the like-minded orga-
to censorship throughout history.
the allocating.
nization Children Awaiting Par-
World Wide Web: http://fileroom
World Wide Web:
ents, contains photos and bios
aaup.uic.edu/FileRoom/documents
http://ux1.cso.uiuc.edu
of hundreds of children, most
/homepage.html
/~kundert//taxes/taxdollar.html
between the ages of 7 and 16.
Legislation of the 104th Congress
Institute for Better Education
Faces of Adoption
Scan all legislation introduced since
Through Resource Technology
January 1993, accessible by date, sub-
Peruse line-item details of the federal
ject. sponsor, chamber and type, words
budget, and afterward-if you're
in title. words in text, or what's hot.
angry enough-you can download
America's Waiting Children
Internet: gopher gopher.legislate
IBERT's budget simulator and submit
.com/hh/legislation/104
your own.
World Wide Web: http://ibert.org
Many are siblings who need to
stay together, and some have
physical, emotional, or learn-
RELATIONSHIPS
Third Millennium
ing disabilities.
See the national debt updated every
The children's stories are
Leslie's Guide to
minute and learn its history, test your
poignant, but the copy is never
Wedding Planning
sensational or sentimental. The
perceptions of the national budget,
descriptions of the children and
With Leslie's big day
and e-mail fellow citizens to help mo-
the challenges prospective par-
only 3 few months
bilize them to solve our country's
ents would face are detailed
away. she knows what
problems.
with honesty.
she's talking about! It's
World Wide Web: http://www
While the Faces of Adoption
a virtual wedding
ssitespecific.com/3m/index.shtml
home page could be better orga-
checklist.
nized, it also contains valuable
World Wide Web: http://
adoption information, such as
acm.vt.edu/-Ifowler/wed
NRA's Eddie Eagle Program
how to interview an agency, per-
/wedding.html
The National Rifle Association-spon-
sonal stories of adoptive par-
sored Eddie Eagle gun safety program
ents, and pending legislation.
This is a welcome online home
aims 10 teach kids who come across a
Help Me Harlan!
for kids who are looking for a
firearm 10 "Stop! Don't touch! Leave
"forever family."
Hurlan will try his best to help love-
:he area. Tell an adult."
World Wide Web: http://www
-1.k or confused college students.
World Wide Web: http://users
.inet.net:80/adopt
a guy!
Laol.com/Tavares/Eddie-Eagle-f
World Wide Web: http://ezinfo
eddiemain.html
Indiana.edu/-hdcohen/
NetGuide Feb.
See back
for fun
Alphonso, 13 and Evette, 11.
kids
Alphonso dreams of growing up
games.
to be a carpenter or mechanic.
Can you find a
Evette yearns to be a nurse,
in her pursuit to
help people.
place in your heart
for these children?
Antonio, 15,
loves roller-blading,
playing video games,
and watching movies when he
isn't pursuing his real love; art.
LaQuinta, 4 & Travis, 3.
When LaQuinta isn't singing and
Marie, 12,
enjoys watching
When people think of
dancing, she can be found with
her dolls. Her brother, Travis, is
Nickelodeon;
adoption they often think of
typical of most boys his age with
riding her bike
newborns. Well, the fact is,
his love of cars and trucks.
and playing
with dolls.
there are thousands of older
kids and special needs children
who need the love and security
only a family can provide.
I should know, I was adopted.
So, if you've ever considered
adopting, consider adopting a
Matthew, 11,
special child. They grow up to
is a diehard
be special people.
Dallas Cowboys
fan, although his-
talents; so far, lean towards
basketball and baseball.
Carole, 6,
Michael, 5
is a bright, engaging,
is currently living on
WELLDONE!
and talkative little girl.
a farm and loves to
take care of the
animals.
DAVE THOMAS
FOUNDATION
FOR ADOPTION
"READ My NEW Book"
NATIONAL ADOPTION CENTER
For more information on adopting these,
DAVE TROMAS DAVE
Now at your favorite bookseller!
or other special needs children, please call
1-800-TO-ADOPT
All Dave's proceeds donated to the
8 6 2
3
6
8
Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption
printed on recycled paper
1994 Wendy's An Rights Reserved
MANY
WHAT'S THE WEATHER?
How does a meteorologist (a profes-
sional weather watcher) know we're
going to have a sunny, rainy or snowy
day? He or she uses these instruments!
1. A barometer to méasure atmospheric
SUPER STORMS
pressure.
Search the puzzle below to find some storms that can
2. A wind vane to indicate which
pack a tremendous punch.
blizzard
cyclone
hail
direction the wind is blowing.
hurricane
monsoon
tornado
3. A thermometer to measure
CLOUD
typhoon
rain
temperature.
ENACIRRUHP
WATCHING
NKHNDHVEAN
4. A rain gauge to
On lazy summer days,
OBJABXSOIM
indicate the amount
Carrie-Ann loves to look
LLCMADWALT
of rain that has fallen.
CITBOFRZNE
for cloud shapes. Can
Y Z O D A N R O T M
5. An anemometer to
you help her spot the
CZEBVXSLID
measure wind speed.
following items?
LARMDEOOLR
6. A satellite to watch
U R U N H Y T F 0 M
storm movements.
KDATYPHOON
Hamburger,
from space.
is
fries,
Frosty Dessert, Dairy
WACKY WEATHER RIDDLES
Use the spellings of the words
pictured to solve these riddles.
spoon,
potato
1. What grows in winter, dies
-e+
-e+
-g
in summer, and grows roots
upward?
2. What can blow on a balloon
og
ell +
-p+
all day and never get tired?
3. When it's raining cats &
dogs, what can you find
6
mn+d+
-ig+ +
on the ground?
-g+
un
CI 1994 Wendy's International Inc. All rights reserved
1. Icicle. 2. Wind. 3. Poodles.
THE WASHINGTON POST
Thursday, March 21, 1996
CyberSurfing
Faces of Adoption
4
DD
A
A
X
Mm
Where the
Faces of Adoption
Eas
I'reins
Children
alsouss Xexe
EMAIl
of
121
Jahus is 333 attractive resultle, and directionate child
Are
who loves buskettall animals, and planning 01:12:00
lesting is presently to & das for children with brbance
premiems His cogning functioning : its the
educationally handcapped to horderline 131124 He zia
Perturbations, pleasures and pre-
receives speech shi occupational therapy
dicaments on the information super-
This child was J within of severe shuse and negleor His
highway:
daily is copartedly excellent. tourter, Inshus
120 intrums when tio it 211gty and 02:3 to require with
nce you've made the
CHECKED during those He has made loke progress
profound decision to
Jostins
16 $: seructured family setting
adopt a child, there are
DOBINE
Although Joshus may experience difficulties erch
loads of sub-choices to
emotional attachment, be has the capacity to be a good
make. I've joined an
Denned Permit
family termina 985 will 12.9 it, most activities Joshus
adoption listserv, where I lurk and
Joshua
express the desire for is family of his own is which to
listen to the pros and cons of every-
2016 5 hiss sex Stathers who keye Non
thing adoption-related while I'm fig-
The Faces of Adoption Web page provided photos and blographies of foster
uring it out.
children, such as Joshua, who are available for adoption.
Sometimes in all the talk of Roma-
nia vs. Bulgaria, the benefits of
lists available foster children in the
adopting a 3-month-old vs. a 3-year-
down and study for it in front of your
United States. Only children ages 5
favorite computer.
old, the expense, and how to cope
through 16 are included. Along with
with mental and physical disabilities,
Engineer Pardner Wynn ("Yes,
the pictures are four-paragraph bios
I start to think about maybe just
I'm from Texas, and yes, my parents
that include the children's hobbies,
skipping the whole thing and going
actually named me that") designs
interests, how they relate to others
on my merry way. I sometimes need
and sells SAT prep course software,
to remind myself of what exactly the
and how they are doing in school.
and also puts it all up on the Internet
point is.
All of the sites offer addition infor-
for free. The set-up is funded by the
The Web helps there. I still carry
mation about adoption in general and
sale of CD-ROMs on the site-about
around a picture I cut out of the
how to proceed with inquiries about
one out of a hundred visitors buys
newspaper of kids left at an orphan-
a particular child. Many bios end
one, and he says the site gets
with a variation of "all that is needed
10,000 to 15,000 hits a day. His real
age, watching as a newly adopted
friend leaves them behind. But now
is a stable home and unconditional
return is student feedback, which is
love," and these pictures make you
helping him develop better virtual
there are sites that show pictures of
believe that it is that simple.
test preparation materials.
kids who need to be adopted. One
browse will kill you. Their faces are
-Dianne Weeks
I stumbled around on the site, try-
young and hopeful with agreeable
[email protected]
ing to find the test and see what I'd
smiles and a look of innocence that
score. Thinking I was unconsciously
GETTING THERE: To join the adoption
avoiding finding it (memories of the
belie the information that is often in
listserv, send an e-mail to listserv@
LSAT, twice taken), I called Pard-
their biographies about the neglect,
sjuvm.stjohns.edu. Faces of Adoption is at
long-term institutionalization, men-
ner. "No, you take the sample test at
http://www.adopt.org/adopt. Precious in
your high school," he said. "You then
tal and physical disorders, abuse,
His Sight: http://www.adoption.com.
go to the Web site, type the answers
separations and losses that have
New York State Department of Social Ser-
shaped their lives so far.
vices: http://www.state.ny.us/dss/
in, and the test is scored." Knowing
your weak areas allows you to con-
If you're interested in internation-
adopt. Texas Department of Protective
al adoption, the Precious in His Sight
and Regulatory Services: http://www.dhs
centrate on the most valuable les-
Web Page is extensive and well-or-
.state.tx.us/tdprs/homepage.html. Glad-
sons and practice tests the site of-
ganized. You can designate the age,
ney Center in Fort Worth: http://www
fers, he said. But I didn't go back.
.gladney.org.
-Karen Marrero
country or sex of the children's pic-
[email protected]
tures you would like to view. The
SATisfaction
home page also features one or two
GETTING THERE: Use your Web
children who urgently need adopt-
'Tis the season for all good stu-
browser and http:// www.testprep.com.
ing, such as Nikita, who is 3 and
dents to cough up enough accumu-
Found something intriguing,
needs an operation that is common
lated knowledge to prove their fu-
improbable, insane or especially
in the United States but unavailable
ture value to humankind, and assign
useful on the Net? Write it up and
to him in Russia, without which his
the results a number. We're talking
send it to Karen Marrero,
may be amputated.
about the Scholastic Assessment
marrerok@ washpost.com. or Joel
The Faces of Adoption Web Page
Test. the SAT. And you can hunker
Garreau, garreau@ well.com.
The Center offers information and referral
National Adoption
services and provides written materials on a
Center
variety of topics. Among them are special
needs adoption, single parent adoption,
military adoption and open adoption.
Faces of Adoption:
The National Adoption Center is a non-profit
organization whose mission is to expand
America's Waiting
adoption opportunities throughout the United
About CAP
Children
States for children with special needs and
those from minority cultures.
A computerized "Photo Listing" and Adoption
Founded in 1972, the Center works with social
Children Awaiting Parents (CAP) is dedicated
Information Service
workers and other adoption professionals to
to finding adoptive families for America's
on the Internet
bring children and families together. Through
waiting children. Faces of Adoption is part of
its telecommunications network, the National
its continuing effort to fulfill this mission.
Adoption Exchange (NAE), adoption
Formed in 1969, CAP publishes The CAP
professionals list their available children and
Book, the national photo listing of children
interested families and make "matches"
with special needs, conducts parent
between them. In this way, a child in Oregon,
recruitment and provides adoption information
for example, can be matched with a family in
and referrals for families seeking to adopt
Florida.
waiting children.
The CAP Book contains photographs and
Children registered with NAE are featured in
descriptions of children with special needs
national publications, on television and radio
who can be placed across state lines.
programs. Essence magazine, Healthquest
Subscribers include adoption agencies,
magazine, Wendy's restaurants and the Dave
adoptive parent groups, libraries and
Thomas Foundation encourage families to
individuals.
National Adoption Center
adopt children with special needs. The
National Adoption Center's 800 number is
For more information, contact CAP at (716)
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 701
232-5110.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
listed on a number of public service
(215) 735-9988 Fax (215) 735-9410
announcements that regularly appear on
URL: http://www.adopt.org/adopt
television. Children have also been featured
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
on the Maury Povich Show, Phil Donahue
Show, Sally Jessy Raphael Show and Good
Morning America.
Introducing
The Internet
Who are the Children
Faces of Adoption
Registered on
Adoption has entered the computer age and
Faces of Adoption?
you can take full advantage by going on-line
Faces of Adoption is an exciting, new way for
families to learn about children who need
through the Internet.
The children who are listed are not the healthy
permanent homes. Through this easy-to-use,
All you need is a computer, a modem, and an
infants most people associate with adoption,
computerized "photo listing book" on the
Internet account (either through a local or
but are children with special needs and
Internet, millions of families can "meet"
national Internet service provider, or through
children from minority cultures. Some have
children who are waiting to be adopted. By
an on-line service such as CompuServe,
emotional, physical or learning disabilities.
accessing Faces of Adoption, hundreds of
Prodigy or America Online), and specialized
Many are brothers and sisters who need a
photographs and descriptions of children from
software that is usually provided when you
home together. More than half are African
throughout the United States are at your
sign up with the Internet Service. To cruise
American. They are all legally free to be
fingertips. This innovative program is
the World Wide Web, for example, you will
adopted.
administered by the National Adoption Center
need a browser, such as Mosaic or Netscape.
(NAC) and Children Awaiting Parents (CAP),
To protect each child's privacy, no last names
nationally recognized adoption organizations,
or addresses are listed. If you are interested in
who coordinate the up-to-date listings that
What Is the
learning more about a child, the National
give potential adoptive parents a chance to
World Wide Web?
Adoption Center or Children Awaiting Parents
search for specific types of children or browse
will provide further information.
through the full listing.
In addition, a wealth of adoption-related
How Do the Children Get Listed ?
Faces of Adoption can be found on the World
information is available. Topics include:
Wide Web of the Internet. It is a global
network of documents, including text,
How to Adopt America's Waiting
graphics, video and sound. Each document is
Children who are registered with the National
Children
called a Home Page (actually, it can be made
Adoption Exchange (NAE) and those listed in
Issues in Adoption
up of many pages). Each Home Page has an
The Cap Book are featured in the Faces of
Bibliographies and Book Reviews
address called a URL (Uniform Resource
Adoption photo listing. State adoption
Agency and Oraganizational Resources
Locator).
exchanges, public and private adoption
Financial Assistance
agencies are asked to send descriptions and
Postings of Conferences and Seminars.
photos of available children so that families
Faces of Adoption:
Links to Other Adoption Resources on the
throughout the United States can learn about
America's Waiting Children's
Internet
them.
URL is: http://www.adopt.org/adopt
WHAT ARE ADOPTION
A SPECIAL INITIATIVE
"Children
BENEFITS?
who don't have
comprehensive adoption benefits package
The Adoption and the Workplace project is made
homes or families
will help employees by defraying adoption
possible through a grant from the W. K. Kellogg
aren't somebody
costs. providing leave time with the child and
Foundation through its Families for Kids initiative.
else's responsibility;
offering resources that aid in a smooth transi-
tion for all members of the family.
The National Adoption Center and the Dave Thomas
they're
Foundation for Adoption are working together to
Adoption benefits give employees:
our responsibility.
promote adoption benefits and provide information to
Information and referral services
Supporting
employers committed to supporting adoption.
Adoption is a per-
Reimbursement for adoption expenses
adoption
sonal thing for Dave
Paid/unpaid leave time
Families
ADOPTION
Thomas. Adopted when
is important to
he was six weeks old,
all of us."
he has said, "I wouldn't
BENEFITS
be where I am today
without a family."
The National Adoption Center, created in 1972,
ARE GOOD
ave has a lot of company. Each year, American
is a private, non-profit organization that expands
families adopt more than 100,000 children. They
adoption opportunities for children throughout the
come from the United States and other countries;
United States, especially for children with special
BUSINESS
they may be babies or older children; brothers and
needs and those from minority cultures.
sisters; children with disabilities.
No matter what type of child is adopted, the
adoption process demands time and money, and
creates stress that can affect job performance.
NATIONAL ADOPTION CENTER
"Our daughter
The National Adoption Center and the Dave
Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's Restaurants,
Thomas Foundation for Adoption have launched
has brought
the Adoption and the Workplace initiative to
established the Dave Thomas Foundation for
encourage you to offer adoption benefits. You can
Adoption to help the thousands of children waiting
us great joy.
ease the burden, maintain productivity and provide
to be adopted. The Foundation, a public charity,
equity for all of your employees creating families,
whether through birth or adoption.
works to raise awareness about the children and to
With employer
provide direct support for adoption programs.
And with less than one-half of 1% of any
DAVE THOMAS
support, many
employee population using these benefits in a year,
FOUNDATION
the package is extremely cost effective.
FORADOPTION
more families
The bottom line is
that adoption benefits
could adopt."
are good business.
Marcia Silverberg, Assistant Vice President
A WIN-WIN SCENARIO
Pat Eden. Manager
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
Human Resources at Mutual of New York (MONY)
Corporate Benefits at Fel-Pro, Inc.
"We have received excellent feedback from
EMPLOYERS BENEFIT BY:
The EMPLOYER'S GUIDE TO ADOPTION
"One of the greatest gifts a family can give is
employees about our adoption assistance program.
a home to a child who needs one. Fel-Pro is happy
BENEFITS, developed by the National Adoption
Adoption benefits are cost effective and family
Providing equity for all employees. whether they
to do whatever small part it can for employees
Center, can answer your questions and help you
friendly. All employees. even those unlikely to use
choose parenthood through adoption or birth
who choose adoption. This has been an excellent
implement an adoption benefits package that fits
the benefits. appreciate that MONY is supporting
addition to our benefits package."
your organization's individual needs. This free
adoption as part of its work/life package."
Recognizing that stable families mean responsible.
package includes:
productive employees
The rationale for employer-supported benefits
Becoming an industry leader in a pace-setting.
family-focused effort
Components of a model policy
Generating good will among employees and
Specifics on implementing the plan
throughout the community
Sample adoption benefits policies and recom-
mendations
Lists of employers that provide benefits
EMPLOYEES BENEFIT BY:
To receive a copy of the Employer's Guide to
Receiving financial assistance that can make the
Adoption Benefits and more information, please
difference in their ability to adopt
contact:
Knowing their employer is supportive
Adoption Benefits Coordinator
National Adoption Center
Obtaining leave time to be with their child
1500 Walnut Street. Suite 701
before/after adoption
Philadelphia. Pa 19102
(215) 735-9988
THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS WHEN:
Employers take the lead in supporting adoption
Employers are committed to family/life issues
Families adopt children who live in foster or
group care settings*
*More than 100,000 children are waiting to be adopted
in the United States. Widespread adoption benefits
could encourage more adoptions and bring children who
need homes together with prospective parents.
8A MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1996
USA TODAY
THE NATION
Adoption groups
SOME INTERNET ADOPTION SITES
http://www.adopt.org/adopt
building families
"Faces of Adoption," listing American children, is produced by the Na-
tional Adoption Center in Philadelphia and Children Awaiting Parents
in Rochester, N.Y.
http://www.adoption.com
The "Precious in His Sight" listing was the nation's first, and carries
via the Internet
pictures and descriptions of kids handled by several international
adoption agencies in the USA.
http://www.webstreet.com/cs/orphans
The "Little Friends" directory lists children who mainly come from
Eastern Europe.
Method provides more data on children
http://www/dcb.du.edu/drichard/RMAE/rmae.html
The Adoption Exchange's site now offers information on the Denver-
By Mark Potok
man of the National Adoption Center
based agency's services. Starting April 1, it will carry photo and text
USA TODAY
in Philadelphia, "It is going to demys-
listings on adoptable children from Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico,
tify the process and bring much-
Utah, Nevada, Missouri, Montana and South Dakota.
Adoption advocates across the
needed information into the homes
http://www.america.net/ amrex1/aanaa.htm
country, working to find permanent
of people who are interested in adop-
The Association of American Nonprofit Adoption Agencies, in Jackson-
homes for thousands of hard-to-place
tion. And we think more people will
ville, Ark., lists mainly children from Eastern Europe and China.
U.S. and foreign children, are trying
adopt."
http://www.state.ny.us/dss/adopt/
a new marketing tool.
So far, fewer than 20 children
By Craig Ruttle. The Cincinnati Enquirer
New York's "Adoption Blue Book" lists about 40 of the Department of
They're going on the Internet.
have been adopted through the Inter-
In Independence, Ky.: Joe and Julie Fugazzi hold their 5-month-old adopted
Social Services' hardest-to-place kids, along with general information.
This trend started in late 1994,
net, which allows people to interact
son, William 'Will Fugazzi,' who they found via an Internet adoption program.
http://www.dhs.state.tx.us/tdprs/homepage.html
when a Waco, Texas, homemaker
with other computer users world-
"Dare to Love" is created by the Texas Department of Protective and
became the first to create a comput-
wide. There are 100,000 U.S. chil-
People who find a child can contact
"This gives people (visual) access
Regulatory Services and the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange.
erized photo listing of children up for
dren and uncounted foreign children
the agencies directly.
to many children, and maybe they'll
adoption. Major adoption agencies
http://www.gladney.org/
who need permanent families.
Would-be adopters still must go
think about children they hadn't con-
have since set up listings on the
The Gladney Center, a nonprofit adoption agency in Fort Worth, posts
"The Internet has changed our
through a social worker's study of
sidered before," says Ember Stine of
World Wide Web, a global communi-
lives," says Trish Maskew, of Colum-
text descriptions and some pictures of children from abroad.
their family and meet other require-
the Ethiopia program for Family
cations network that is part of the In-
bia, Tenn. She found the 8-year-old
ments to be approved for adoption.
Connections, a California adoption
ternet.
Vietnamese boy she and her hus-
But once those steps are completed,
agency. "It also allows them to look
vacy Journal, thinks the listings have
Annette Thompson in Waco. The site
Texas and New York were the
band are adopting while on the Net.
the Net listings can make it much
at the information at their leisure."
great potential but worries about
includes kids from several interna-
first states to create sites. By April 1,
"My neighbors came over and start-
easier to find a desired child.
Still, some worry that posting in-
abuse. Besides the dangers of stalk-
tional adoption agencies.
eight Western states will go on line
ed looking at it and now they're con-
The hundreds of children whose
formation about children may cre-
ing or abductions if kids are identifi-
The Fugazzis took their South Ko-
through a photo listing set up by the
sidering a Russian adoption."
faces may be seen on the Internet
ate problems. Typically, only a first
able, he says some people could
rean son home Feb. 11, six weeks af-
Denver-based Adoption Exchange,
Typically, users will find an intro-
generally are not healthy infants
name or ID number is used. "There
download and alter photo images.
ter spotting him on the Internet.
says director Dixie Davis. The states
ductory page on the Internet, which
who are easy to place. Most are "spe-
are a lot of people surfing the Inter-
But none of that bothers Julie and
"Joe was always playing on the
are Colorado, Missouri, Montana,
often includes general adoption in-
cial needs" children. They are older,
net, and not all of them have the best
Joe Fugazzi. The Independence, Ky.,
computer, and it drove me totally ba-
Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota,
formation. From there they can ac-
have physical, mental or emotional
intentions," says Patrick Purtell of
couple spent years struggling with in-
nanas," says Julie Fugazzi, 27. "But I
Utah and Wyoming
cess the main listings, which contain
disabilities, are in sibling groups or
the National Council for Adoption.
fertility treatments before going on
guess I can't complain about it any
"This has the potential to revolu-
photos and text descriptions supplied
come from minority cultures. Many
Like Purtell, Robert Ellis Smith, pub-
line last fall. There, they found the
more. I never dreamed we'd find our
tionize adoption," says Gloria Hoch-
to Net sites by adoption agencies.
are from foreign countries.
lisher of the Rhode Island-based Pri-
"Precious in His Sight" listing run by
child on a computer."
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.
National
Adoption
Center
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.
Adoption Center of Delaware Valley
Annual Report 1994-1995
"There are no unwanted children,
just unfound families."
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.
National
Adoption Center
Annual Report 1994-1995
The
Family waiting to adopt
Introducing Russell Heid:
teenager, siblings
Marketing Specialist
Friendly User
Debra and Michael have always enjoyed
After five years of keeping Russell Heid's
Newsletter of the National Adoption Exchange
the rewards and challenges of parenting.
considerable talents to ourselves, the National
A program of the National Adoption Center
They each bring parenting experience to
Adoption Center has decided to share his abili-
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 701, Philadelphia PA 19102, (215) 735-9988
their marriage, having raised children from
ties with our Exchange members. Russell
Login: (215) 735-9717, (215) 735-9724 at 14,400 baud; E-mail: Admin
previous marriages.
played an integral role in the Center's Finance
Faces of Adoption: http://www.adopt.org/adopt
Together, they are foster parents to two
and Administration Departments and assumes
Volume 36
February 1996
young siblings and are eager to expand their
his new position as NAE's Marketing Specialist
family through the adoption process.
with tremendous enthusiasm.
taining valuable adoption-related information
Debra and Michael have had positive ex-
"I'm looking forward to talking to members
that is frequently updated and expanded. This
periences caring for teenage girls and are
and helping them utilize more of the features of
work is being done in conjunction with CAP
interested in adopting an adolescent girl or
the National Adoption Exchange," Russell ex-
(Children Awaiting Parents), who share this two-
sisters. They are able to consider children
plains. For members who are still feeling ten-
year grant with the Center.
with mild disabilities, excluding mental re-
tative about their first foray into the computer
Sue Badeau, Project Manager of the Ex-
tardation.
world, Russell will be happy to "hold your hand"
changing Technologies Program, has surveyed
Debra is a stay-at-home mom and
and provide technical support as you explore
Exchanges throughout the country to find out
Michael works as a stockbroker. They en-
the many services of the Exchange.
about their use of technology and is sharing that
joy many family activities, such as cooking,
In addition to providing technical support to
information with the Center's Tech Team.
swimming and gardening. Both Debra and
members, Russell will be explaining the inno-
Maggie Marshall, Information Specialist for
Michael come from family-oriented back-
vations to the Exchange that will allow mem-
The "Tech Team" (back I. to r.): MariAnne
the NAE, has been uploading interesting infor-
grounds and have the commitment, support,
bers to use the Internet. Right now, you can
Clarke, Russell Heid, Doug Weber (front
mation the Bulletin Board. Members. are
and stability needed to parent a waiting child
register children on Faces of Adoption, the
1. to Sue Badeau, and Sue Flaxman
encouraged to add information that they would
or children.
Center's Internet site, as well as on the Ex-
like to share; a step-by-step guide on how to do
If you would like further information on
change. This will tremendously expand the
Tech team tuning up
this is included on page 4.
this family, please contact Debbie Spinks at
children's chances of finding a placement.
Russell Heid, Marketing Specialist, has be-
the National Adoption Center, E-mail debbie,
One Church, One Child (from p. 5)
gun contacting NAE members to help with any
or call (215) 735-9988.
New faces abound at the National Adoption
Through a recent grant from the W. K.
problems and discuss new services being de-
Center, as the computer "Tech Team" grows to
Kellogg Foundation's Families for Kids project,
veloped.
meet the Center's expanding use of computers
One Church One Child will be working with oth-
Doug Weber, Management Consultant, is
to create families. Our "techies," who bring a
Technology Conference
p.
ers to establish an African American Adoption
organizing the new database design and instal-
(from
3)
wealth of adoption and computer experience
Center for the recruitment, assessment and
lation plan that will allow the Exchange to be
*
Linda Williams- South Carolina
to their positions and are working together to
seen on the Internet.
approval of adoptive families for special needs
Seedlings & SEEUS (Southeastern
incorporate the Exchange onto the Internet.
children.
United States Adoption Exchange)
MariAnne Clarke, the Center's Deputy Ex-
ecutive Director, has been with the Center for
* Ann Cutler- Kentucky Adoption
Resource Exchange
15 years. Her interest in technology has led the
Placement News
*
The Friendly User is published bi-monthly
Wynn Hollingshead- Ohio Adoption
Center to find new ways to utilize computers to
by the National Adoption Exchange (NAE),
A recent placement has been made as a
Resource Exchange
a program of the National Adoption Center.
match children and families and provide up-to-
direct result of an NAE computer-generated
The NAE is funded by a grant from the U.S.
* Marilyn Panichi-Adoption Information
date information to adoption professionals and
match.
Department of Health and Human Services,
Center of Illinois
Office of Children and Youth Services.
parents.
Jonathan, 6, and Matthew, 9, siblings from
* Kathy Karp- My Turn Now (GA)
Sue Flaxman, Project Manager of Faces of
Texas, were placed with a single mother in
Executive Director: Carolyn L. Johnson
Adoption, is actively adding photographs and
Deputy Executive Director: MariAnne Clarke
Indiana. Jonathan has cerebral palsy. Mat-
NAE Marketing Specialist: Russell Heid
descriptions of waiting children to our Internet
thew is legally blind. Their new mom is a
Editor: Mady Prowler
site. To date, there are more than 125 listings.
Contributors: Sue Badeau, Sue Flaxman, Anna Huston,
physical therapist and has adopted other spe-
Marty Jones, Debbie Spinks and Doug Weber
She oversees AdoptionQuest, a feature com
cial needs children.
6
1
NAE welcomes One Church,
Membership on the Exchange
In
the
spotlight:
The
New
Jersey
What's new in technology?
One Child
has its privileges
Division of Youth and Family Services
by Sue Badeau
We are delighted to welcome One Church One
The New Jersey Division of Youth and Fam-
Membership on NAE has its benefits. You
(Note: This column will be a regular feature of The
Child of South Carolina to the Exchange. For
ily Services has had its most successful year in
have the unique ability to match children and
finding families for many of its hard-to-place chil-
Friendly User, highlighting creative and/or innovative
Edna Faust, the organization's Executive Direc-
families via computer, to communicate with
ideas from members to show that using new technol-
tor, this membership continues a very satisfy-
other members and to access information on
dren. Kay Pride, the state's Adoption Exchange
ogy can be fun, painless, and rewarding. If you have
ing relationship. While working at the South
Coordinator, believes that much of their suc-
various topics of adoption. If you haven't taken
a product, technique, or service that you would like
Carolina Department of Social Services, Ms.
cess is due to their use of all available outlets
to see featured in this column, please contact Sue
full advantage of these services, now is the time.
Badeau at the Center.)
Faust used the Exchange to match their wait-
to find families. They actively seek families
And, you can list your children on Faces of Adop-
ing children. When she accepted her new posi-
tion at no additional cost.
through the NAE, Faces of Adoption, newspa-
tion, she knew the value of NAE membership
per, magazine and television features, match
AASK Midwest creates custom
and advocated joining to list the organization's
"Faces of Adoption"
parties and videotapes and photographs of chil-
calendar
studied families.
dren that are distributed.
One Church One Child was originally estab-
After families have been recruited, Pride
This program is an exciting new way for fami-
In 1994, an AASK Midwest employee and
lished by Chicago priest Father Clements to en-
takes an open-minded approach. "I look at all
lies to learn about children who need perma-
self-described, "computer whacko" ap-
courage churches to recruit adoptive families
the families who've expressed an interest in our
nent homes. Through this easy-to-use, comput-
proached the director with the idea for cre-
for African American children in foster care.
children - many are non-traditional. Like
erized photolisting book on the Internet, millions
Peter's family, for example," she points out.
ating a customized color calendar. The goal
Local organizations work with churches in their
of families can "meet" children who are waiting
Peter, 15, was adopted by the Young family
was to present it as a gift and motivational
community.
to be adopted. Any child registered on NAE
tool for board members and field represen-
Since it inception in 1986, the South Caro-
in Lakeland, Florida, after spending nearly
can be put on the Internet. To access "Faces,"
tatives. The idea caught on and became a
lina group and the state's Department of Social
three-quarters of his life in foster care. "A lot of
the URL is http:/www.adopt.org/adopt
agencies would have automatically disqualified
reality in time for Christmas giving.
Services have joined forces to feature more than
January features a photo of the field reps
200 children in church bulletins. Member
"Search Feature of NAE"
this family because of its size - they have 20
churches have provided financial assistance to
children! But, it's been a successful placement,"
and their families, and the remaining months
Pride explains.
feature photos of children registered with
prospective families to help them meet state
Through this feature of the NAE database,
AASK Midwest. The final product is stun-
guidelines for home heating or to pay for physi-
New Jersey does not hesitate to place chil-
members can search nationwide for a waiting
ning.
cal examinations.
(continued on p. 6)
dren out-of-state, but sometimes it takes a little
child or family. The feature provides extensive
convincing on Pride's part to win the consent of
Everyone loved the calendar. Who
search criteria and detailed information about
the child's social worker. "Some workers have
wouldn't? With gorgeous color photographs
cases. The system will automatically print a let-
legitimate reasons for wanting to keep a child
of children on every page, it is truly a mas-
Twins, 5, need adoptive family
ter addressed to the appropriate social worker
in state. Perhaps they to maintain contact with
terpiece and will not be thrown out on De-
once a match is made.
siblings," Pride says. "But, 'there's too much
cember 31st. Anyone who uses photo-list-
Kandice's routine is the same every school
paperwork' should never be an acceptable rea-
ing books or "Faces" on the Internet clearly
day. She gets off the bus and awaits the ar-
"Communications and Information"
son."
recognizes the value of seeing real kids'
rival of her twin sister Katrice. When she ar-
faces.
New Jersey has been a regular user of the
rives, Kandice helps her with her coat, makes
Through the E-mail component, members
The entire project was created in-house,
sure she has a snack and does her best to
Exchange since January, 1987. Pride's only
can send messages and information to other
using a computer, scanner and color laser-
entertain her.
frustration is not having more time to use the
members or several members simultaneously.
system. Once a match is made, her next step
jet printer. An excellent software package
The most remarkable thing about these twins
Members can access the latest adoption in-
is to advocate on behalf of the placement with
for creating custom calendars is "Calendar
is their bond. Katrice is autistic and she shows
formation choosing from more than 50 topic ar-
the child's social worker, particularly in the case
Creator Plus" version 2 for Windows, pro-
a blank, expressionless face to the world.
eas. Once the information is found, it can be
of non-traditional families.
duced by Spinnaker through SoftKey Inter-
Kandice is extremely protective of "Treecy," as
viewed on screen or printed on your printer.
"I don't want a child to lose a chance at hav-
national. It is "user friendly" and offers a
she calls her twin.
ing a permanent home because of someone's
great deal of versatility.
Kandice is a bright and bouncy little girl. She
Training and walk-throughs are available
A sample will be available for review at
personal biases, says Pride, who notes that
has some developmental delays, but is in a
to any member. If there is a new person in
she has won more than she's lost in advocat-
the "Exchanging Technologies" conference,
regular kindergarten class this year.
your organization or you just need a "brush-
ing for her matches.
September 26-28 in Hilton Head, SC.
For more information, contact National
up" session, call Russell Heid, NAE Market-
Adoption Center Adoption Coordinator Becky
ing Specialist, to find out more about the ad-
Birtha at (215) 735-9988 or via E-mail at becca.
vantages of being an NAE member.
5
2
How can I post items on the Bulletin Board?
A number of Exchange members have expressed an interest in posting information on
the Exchange bulletin board. Here's how to do it go ahead, it's easy!
1. Dial into and log on to the NAE
2. Arrow down to Bulletin Boards
3. With the menu highlight on VIEW, press ENTER (or just press "V" for view)
4. Arrow down to the main (capitalized) bulletin board that represents the primary
topic area under which you want to post an item and press ENTER.
5. Now you need to select a sub-bulletin board topic. Arrow down to the topic and press
ENTER (or "V" for view)
6. To post your item, select the ADD option from your menu. (Either arrow over to "ADD"
and press ENTER, or just press "A" on your keyboard).
7. You will be presented with a screen where the first option is to type in a "Subject"
heading, which becomes the title for your posting on the bulletin board.
8. Once you have entered a Subject title, press TAB to go to the Text Source
choices for creating a posting.
9. Spacebar over to the upload option (so it is highlighted) and press ENTER.
10. Your screen should look like this:
Subject: (You already typed this )
NAE Upload Options
Destination: text
Transfer mode: Xmodem
Conversation: (blank)
Additional Information for Attachments Only
Attachment type: undefined
Attachment Description: (blank)
Number Already Prepared: 0
11. Press ENTER to continue with the upload process.
12. At the bottom of the screen, you are asked to enter a file name. This must
include the "path" to the file, such as C:\dougs\thisone.dos. Type in the file
name, with path if necessary, and press ENTER.
13. Your system will now find the file and proceed with the upload procedure.
You will need to wait until it completes sending the number of blocks of data
representing the total file size (in blocks).
14. The system will return control back to you when the upload is done. You can now see
your the title of your posting among the list of items for the bulletin board you
selected. To look at your results, you can highlight your item title and press
ENTER or "view."
4
User-Friendly Communication:
Taking Exchanges into the
21st Century
Interface
The National Adoption Center and the Adop-
by Sue Flaxman
tion Exchange Association are pleased to an-
nounce the first Exchanging Technologies Con-
(This will be a regular feature in The Friendly User.)
ference to be held at the Radisson Resort in
We are proud to report to you that Faces
Hilton Head, South Carolina on September 25,
of Adoption has been rated!
26 and 27, 1996. This conference will be part
NetGuide Magazine, a "must read" for In-
of the biennial Adoption Exchange Association
ternet users, has announced that Faces of
Conference--one registration fee will apply for
Adoption has received a four-star rating in its
both. This gathering will provide an exciting op-
February issue as a primary resource for on-
portunity for adoption exchanges and other
line users. We know that this recognition will
adoption professionals and advocates from
boost the number of users and bring adop-
around the country to gather and talk technol-
tion information to many who were previously
ogy. Exciting hands-on technology demonstra-
unaware of our website.
tions and exhibits will be offered, as well.
More exciting news! The search feature,
An advisory committee will assist in confer-
that allows users of "Faces" to search for chil-
ence planning and other aspects of the project.
dren based on a specific criteria, is finally up
"I am especially delighted at the diversity we
and running. This much-awaited feature has
have within the committee," Badeau explains.
been eagerly accepted and is being continu-
"We have representation from both public and
ously used.
private exchanges, large and small, from many
Word of mouth travels fast. We are hear-
regions of the country. We really have a range
ing from people who have never used com-
of technological backgrounds, from technology
puters before but who want to get on-line be-
whizzes to true neophytes."
cause they have heard about our cutting edge
The advisory committee met in Chicago in
technology. While computers and technol-
February to define the September conference
ogy can be intimidating, people from all over
and develop the applications for 40 or more
the country are using this medium to learn
travel stipends to be awarded to exchanges
about adoption and to search for children.
needing assistance to attend the conference.
Your E-mail messages let us know that
you like our work and want more. Congratu-
Committee members are:
lations on developing "Faces" and inquiries
about featured children have filled our
* Jennifer Richey - Adoption
screens. The most frequent request is,
Exchange Association
"Please put more children on-line." We are
* Colleen Ellingson - Special Needs
continually working on that.
Adoption Network of Wisconsin
If you have not put your registered chil-
*
Ella Zamora - Texas Adoption
dren on-line, it's time to act. A few minutes of
Resource Exchange
paperwork can make a difference in a child's
*
Kirsta Grapentine - Michigan
life. If you have any questions, please con-
Adoption Resource Exchange
tact me at the National Adoption Center, (215)
*
Anita Ivy - Family Builders Minority
735-9988.
Adoption Exchange
(continued on p. 6)
3
A Special Thank You To..
Adoption
Everyone who helped to make the 12th
The Arcadia Foundation for its generous
The Intelligent Electronics Foundation
Annual Celebrity, Sports, and Vacation
support of the Center's public education
Gala and Auction a success, especially:
and family recruitment efforts.
The Philadelphia Foundation
*
The Dave Thomas Foundation for
superb leadership.
Adoption for enabling us to bring "Faces
of Adoption" to prospective families
Update
Summer/Fall 1995
Auction Chairman Brian Gail for his
Union Benevolent Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
.4 publication of the National Adoption Center &
*
Honorary Chairpersons Dick and
nationwide via the Internet.
the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley
Carol Vermeil.
Wendy's International, Inc.
ARAMARK Corporation for donating
*
Corporate Committee members.
boxed lunches for waiting children and
Wendy's International, Inc.- Eastern
prospective families at the Center's
Division
*
"Faces of Adoption"
Our three fabulous auctioneers-Don
Match Party last spring.
Tollefson, Jack Brayboy, and Stan
A copy of the official registration and
on the Internet
Hochman.
The Connelly Foundation and The
financial information may be obtained from
Philadelphia Foundation for their
the Pennsylvania Department of State by
Interested families have yet another
calling 1-800-732-0999. Registration does
tool in their quest to adopt--their home
The Philadelphia Phillies for donating
support of the Center's campaign to find
not imply endorsement.
computers. An innovative program,
the raffle prize--a trip to Phillies Dream
homes for African American boys.
"Faces of Adoption: America's Waiting
Week in Clearwater. FL.
The following corporations and founda-
The Adoption Update is a publication
Children." allows families to "meet"
of the National Adoption Center and the
children through a computerized photo
Wendy's International, Inc.-Eastern
tions for their generous donations:
Adoption Center of Delaware Valley.
listing book on the Internet. Families
Division, their friends and vendors.
Questions and information for the
can search for specific types of children
Children's Charities of America
newsletter can be sent to the Editor, 1500
or browse through the listing of the
The auction co-sponsors: American
Walnut Street. Suite 701. Philadelphia. PA
Airlines. ARAMARK Corporation.
19102. 215-735-9988
hundreds of available American chil-
Commonwealth Risk Services
Executive Director:
dren.
Centennial Printing. the Philadelphia
Carolyn L. Johnson
In addition, users can find a wealth
Phillies, and Wendy's International,
Independent Charities of America
Deputy Executive Director:
POLO
of adoption-related information,
Inc.-Eastern Division.
MariAnne Clarke
including articles, "how-to guides,"
Superior Restaurants, Inc.
Director of Communications
Celebrities who donated sketches to
and Marketing:
bibliographies, resource lists, and
Gloria Hochman
postings of conferences and seminars.
the auction.
Target Foods, Inc.
Director of Development:
The Inglese family. from Tobyhanna. P.4. L. to R.: Nick. 13. Larry. and Jason. 14.
All that's needed is a computer,
Elaine Angert
Ad buyers. auction item donors and
The Marcus Family Foundation
Director of Finance and
shared their adoption story with families who attended a Center-sponsored Match
modem and an Internet account (i.e.
bidders, sponsors, guests, and the many
Administration:
Party in Allentown. PA.
America Online, Prodigy. CompuServe),
and the specialized software received
volunteers who supported us.
The Claneil Foundation
Jane Ruck
Editors:
Family Talks of Adjustment to Adoption
from the on-line service. "Faces of
The 1995 Planning Committee for its
The Barra Foundation
Mady Prow
Adoption" can be found on the World
Anna Huston
When Larry Inglese saw 12-year-old
This love was tested often during the
Wide Web at http://www.adopt.org/
commitment and ideas.
Jason at a Center-sponsored Match
stormy first months after Jason's arrival
adopt. See you on-line!
Party, he knew immediately that he
at his new home. He was having trouble
National Adoption Center
wanted to make Jason a part of his
following the rules of the house. trouble
Non Profit
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 701
Organization
family.
getting along with his new brother,
Table of Contents
U.S. Postage
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Paid
"I had absolutely no plans of adopting
Nick. and a lot of trouble in school.
Family Talks of Adjustment
/
Phila PA
a teenager two years ago," remembers
"It was a difficult adjustment," says
Permit No.3142
Faces on the Internet
1
Inglese. "I was interested in adopting a
Inglese. "I was getting daily calls from
Executive Director's Message 2
child with severe physical disabilities or
the school telling me that Jason was
Maury Povich Update
2
mental retardation--someone whom I
completely out of control."
Annual Giving Information
3
thought nobody wanted."
He was verbally abusive to his
Post Adoption Conferences
3
But what Inglese found at the party,
teachers and classmates, aggressive and
Dates to Remember
3
where families approved for adoption
disruptive. The school was preparing to
Waiting Children
4-5
met waiting children, was another group
move him out of classes for children
Wendy's Efforts
6
of children--teenage boys who have been
with learning disabilities and have him
Employee Adoption Benefits
6
in the foster care system for too long and
reclassified as "socially and emotionally
Legislative Notes
6
are usually the last to be adopted. From
disturbed."
Center Happenings
7
this group, Inglese spotted Jason. "I fell
During this turbulent time, Inglese
in love with Jason the moment I met
was in constant contact with social
Special Thanks
8
We Bring Special People Together
him."
(continued on p. 2)
1
8
Executive
Florida Family Adopts Five Featured on Povich
Center Happenings
Director's
Last summer. the Center's telephones
rang continuously as families wanted to
Message
know how to adopt an irresistible group
of four sisters and a brother who had
Carolyn L. Johnson
been featured on the Maury Povich
Show:
Dear Friends,
Tears welled up in my eyes as I
The Ludwig family. from Port
listened to Jason, whom you met on p.l,
Richey, FL. had their wish realized as
recount his story of years spent in foster
Monica. Amy, Angela. Carla, and
homes, waiting for a family of his own.
Brandon joined their family just before
He told prospective adopters about his
the winter holidays.
Adoption in the Workplace was on the agenda at the
struggle at a recent adoption Match
According to their proud mother. the
Among the participants at the Region III Minority Adoption
1995 NACAC conference. Working together on this
children are "blossoming" in their
Conference in Virginia Beach (l. to R): Center Communications
Party.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation initiative are (1. 10. r:): Paul
Two years ago. he attended a similar
adoptive family that now numbers 15!
Specialist Marty Jones: Family Therapist Dr: Joseph
Vander Velde, Program Associate. and Valora Washing-
party, sure that no one would be inter-
News flash: A second Maury Povich
Crumbley: Associate Commissioner of the Children's Bureau,
ton. Vice President-Programs. Kellogg Foundation:
ested in meeting him. Who would want
Show focusing on older children who
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dr: Carol
Suzanne Camp. Adoption Benefits Specialist and Mady
a teenager who tested anyone who tried
need adoptive families will be broadcast
Williams: NAC.4C Public Policy Analyst Jacquelyn Bailey-
Prowler. Project Director: National Adoption Center:
to get close? One man decided to take a
this fall. Updates will be given on the
Kidd: and Children Welfare Specialist, U.S. Department of
and Jamn Heffner, Executive Director: The Dave Thomas
chance. Their road has had its chal-
children who appeared last year and
Health and Human Services Delores 4. Smith.
lenges. but they have forged a solid
have since found families. Additionally,
The Ludwig family of Port Richev, FL.
Foundation for Adoption.
a new group of waiting children from
adopted a sibling group of five featured
bond. Jason is one of the lucky ones.
What will happen to the others who
throughout the country will be featured.
on the Maury Povich Show.
remain mired in the foster care system
Jason's Story. continued from P. /
depends, unfortunately, on the mood of
workers seeking their input about how to
problem was, we began trying to fix it,"
Congress. Right now, there is a debate
help.
says Inglese. The therapist had sug-
raging about the block granting of child
"I was really afraid that they would
gested a face-to-face meeting with his
welfare programs.
take him away from us if I said I was
birth mother. but because the adoption
Included is the Adoption Opportuni-
having problems," says Inglese. "But.
wasn't finalized, such a meeting was not
ties Act that supports creative ways of
things couldn't go on the way they were.
advisable. A letter would have to do.
bringing families and children together,
The kid was in a lot of pain."
Jason "poured out his heart" in his
like Match Parties and the Center's
The Adoption Center was honored with a
On the suggestion of the social
letter to his mother. asking her permis-
computerized National Adoption
Smithsonian/Computer World award for its use of
workers, the family began counseling
sion to move on with his life. There was
technology in human services. Pictured (l. to 1:):
Exchange, on which a child from one
and started on the road to healing. It
no guarantee that she would respond,
U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) gets
part of the country can be matched with
Project Officer for the National Adoption Exchange
was during one of his therapy sessions
but there was a noticeable turnaround in
a demonstration of the Center's comput-
Roland Sneed: Exchange Administrator Mary
a family from another.
that Jason, for the first time, spoke
Jason's behavior soon after its writing.
Ehart: Center Executive Director Carolyn L.
erized Exchange during his recent visit.
Funding for the Center's 1-800-TO-
openly of why he was having difficulty
"For the first time, Jason was able to
ADOPT number that allows families,
Johnson, and KPMG Peat Marwick representative
adjusting to his new home. He felt
express what he was feeling," remem-
like the Ludwigs above, to respond to a
Craig Fox.
guilty and disloyal to his birth mother by
bers Inglese. "It was like a giant weight
national television program or public
being happy.
being lifted from the kid." A greater
service announcement and be directed to
Jason's early life was one of constant
burden was lifted when Jason's birth
local services is jeopardized.
uncertainty and change. He was
mother wrote back. giving him her
Also slated to be block granted is the
shuttled back and forth between foster
blessing to move on with his life.
subsidy given to families who have
homes and his birth family. living in
Since that time, Jason has shared his
adopted children with special needs
nearly a dozen different homes from the
story with prospective adoptive parents.
under Title IV-E of the Social Security
time he was a toddler. Ultimately,
urging them to consider older children
Act. The loss of this funding seriously
Jason's birth mother voluntarily relin-
when they think about adoption. He
threatens those caring for challenging
quished her parental rights. but Jason
speaks honestly about the problems he
children.
never had the opportunity to say good-
had and lovingly about his adoptive
KPMG Peat Marwick was awarded the Center's Alison
We've seen how adoption can
bye to her.
father, who never gave up on him.
dramatically change a child's life.
The 12th Annual Celebrity. Sports. Vacation Gala and
Award for its assistance in the development of the National
Jason's therapist believed that he
He also plans to have that face-to-
Jason's story renews our commitment to
Auction raised more than $100,000 for the Center.
Adoption Exchange and "Faces of Adoption" projects.
needed closure in his relationship with
face meeting with his birth mother now
do all we can to maintain the programs
Pictured (l. to r:): Auction Chairman Brian Gail:
Pictured (l. to 1:): KPMG representatives Steven Shear:
his mother if he was ever going to find
that the adoption is finalized. Jason's
that will allow every waiting child a
Center Board President Sally Stetson: Auctioneers
Denise Albrecht. and Allan Frank: Center Deputy Executive
contentment with his new family.
father has promised to do whatever it
chance to know the love and security of a
Don Tollefson. Stan Hochman and Jack Brayboy, and
Director MariAnne Clarke: and KPMG Peat Marwick
"Now that we knew what the
takes to put Jason's mind at ease.
permanent family.
friends.
Managing Partner-Philadelphia Office Charles Hopkins.
2
7
Wendy's Fall Line-Up
Remembrances
Annual Giving Boosts Center's Mission
Dates to Remember
For Wendy's, every season offers a
Thanks to the federal and state
All gifts are acknowledged with a
funds through the Donor Choice
unique opportunity for promoting
card sent to the person or family
employees, and military personnel who
Program. You must request a Donor
Sunday, October 1, 1995:
adoption. This fall is no exception. A
remembered.
generously support the National Adop-
Choice form from your employer and
Wendy's Safe Treat Family
poster featuring the smiling faces of
tion Center through the Combined
indicate that you want to contribute to
Coupon Books go on sale until
children with special needs waiting to be
In memory of Stan Hochman's
Federal Campaign and state employee
the Adoption Center of Delaware Valley
Halloween in Wendy's locations
mother, Rose:
payroll deduction campaigns, the Center
in Southeastern PA. Harris-
adopted will greet Wendy's patrons at
by checking the box marked Specific
restaurants throughout the country. A
is helped to continue its efforts to find
Care and writing the code number
burg. New York, New Jersey.
Fran Metzman
popular decoration, the poster encour-
homes for the thousands of children who
Joan Leof
N00556.
and Delaware.
*
ages interested families to call the
*
Carolyn Johnson
need permanent families.
Center's 800 number for further infor-
Wendy's Inc.-Eastern Division partici-
In memory of Polly Toll's mother:
Here's how you can help. To become
CITY CAMPAIGNS
Wednesday, October 11, 1995:
a donor through:
The 1st Annual Howard Eskin
mation.
pated in Philadelphia's "Welcome
* Fran Metzman
City of Philadelphia employees can
Halloween excitement is doubled
make a contribution through the City of
Golf Challenge, Ashbourne
America" celebration at Penn's Land-
In memory of Sophie Katz:
with the Safe Treat Family Coupon book
COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN
*Don and Mady Prowler
Philadelphia Employees Combined
Country Club. Cheltenham, PA.
that is a special treat for many youthful
ing. raising more than $2,000 for the
Campaign. The code number is
Co-sponsored by Ashbourne
Center:
In memory of Agnes Simko:
The Combined Federal Campaign
tricksters. This year's book. valued at
* Richard W. Nichols
(CFC) asks federal employees and
N00556.
Country Club and Somerton
$60, will be on sale for one dollar at all
PA. This tournament, held during
In memory of Sylvia Granite:
Your pledge through these cam-
Springs Golf Shop.
military personnel to select charitable
Philadelphia, Harrisburg, southern New
National Adoption Month, is sponsored
*
The Metzman and Weirman
organizations to support through payroll
paigns will make a real difference in the
Jersey, Delaware, and New York area
by Wendy's-Eastern Division. Craig
families
deductions. The National Adoption
life of a child. If you have any ques-
Wednesday, October 18, 1995:
Wendy's stores beginning October 1,
Schultz. Eastern Division Franchisee
Center participates as a member of
tions, please contact Elaine Angert at
"Make A Difference Day" at 13
1995. All proceeds from the coupon
Director. is once again chairing the
Children's Charities of America. Our
the Center.
Philadelphia area Strawbridge
and Clothier stores.
book sales will go to Center programs.
event. The tourney is a great way to
number is 1524.
Golf enthusiasts are counting the
show off your summer form while
days until the National Adoption
supporting the Center's programs. If
Legislative Update
November 1995:
STATE EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGNS
Center's Third Annual Golf Classic to be
you are interested in participating or in
National Adoption Month and
As of late August, the following
The National Adoption Center
held on Monday, November 6, 1995 at
becoming a sponsor, contact Elaine
Match Party. Details will
programs have been approved for block
participates in states' employee cam-
follow.
White Manor Country Club in Malvern,
Angert at the Center.
granting by the House and are scheduled
paigns as an agency/member of Inde-
for further debate in the Senate before
pendent Charities of America. The
Monday, November 6, 1995:
Adoption and the Workplace Project Underway
action is taken:
designated number varies from state to
The National Adoption
state.
Center's Third Annual Golf
Do you have adoption benefits where
Brazil when the adoption was finalized.
Title IV-E of the Social Security Act:
He was able to use vacation and time
An entitlement program that provides
UNITED WAY
Classic. sponsored by Wendy's,
you work? Paul Meringolo, an employee
Annual giving helps children like James
Inc.-Eastern Division. White
of Johnson & Johnson, did when he and
without pay to cover his time away from
adoption assistance to families adopting
The Adoption Center of Delaware
find families. For more information
his wife adopted a baby girl from China
work. As Jim explained, "My company
Valley, an affiliate of the National
Manor Country Club, Malvern,
children with special needs. Presently,
about James or other waiting children.
PA.
in 1994, and they virtually made the
did everything possible to support me
the federal government reimburses 50-
Adoption Center, is eligible to receive
turn to p. 4.
adoption possible.
during the adoption process. I am
80% of the states' adoption assistance.
Saturday, November 18, 1995:
"My company recognizes that
grateful for the understanding my
families come together in different
Adoption Experts to Speak at Conferences
"Adoption Works!" conference,
supervisor had for my work and my
Adoption Opportunities Act:
featuring Zena Oglesby,
ways," stated Meringolo, after hearing
family."
This act provides for essential
Two of the most highly regarded
Vera Fahlberg. M.D., a celebrated
Executive Director of the
about the newest National Adoption
The Adoption and the Workplace
national services, including: training,
figures in adoption will be featured
pediatrician and psychotherapist who
Institute for Black Parenting,
Center initiative, Adoption and the
initiative, a joint project with the Dave
recruitment of families for minority
speakers at upcoming conferences,
has written several books about adop-
at Philadelphia College of
Workplace. By providing resource and
Thomas Foundation for Adoption, is
children and children with special
sponsored by the Adoption Center.
tion-related issues, will be the keynote
Bible, Langhorne, PA.
referral information, financial help and
designed to establish and/or improve
needs*. matching of children and
Zena Oglesby. Executive Director of
speaker at the conference, "Forging
leave time, my wife and I were able to
adoption benefits for employees in the
families on a national exchange*,
the Institute for Black Parenting and an
Connections: Attachment. Mental
Friday, March 8, 1995:
successfully complete the adoption of our
private and public sectors. This three-
dissemination of information and
expert in minority adoption, will deliver
Health. and Adoption" on Friday,
"Forging Connections: Attach-
daughter."
year project. funded by the W.K. Kellogg
technical assistance to states.
the keynote address at the "Adoption
March 8,1996 at Pennsylvania Hospital
ment. Mental Health and
Michael Jim, a service representative
Foundation, will provide a comprehen-
Works!" conference for families and
in Philadelphia, PA.
Adoption" conference featuring
at Mutual of New York. was unprepared
sive information package on adoption
Contact your representatives and
professionals on Saturday. November 18.
Fahlberg will conduct a morning
Vera Fahlberg. M.D., at
for the stress and delays surrounding the
benefits for employers and materials for
senators for more inforamtion about
1995, 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Philadelphia
training session and then be joined by
Pennsylvania Hospital, Phila-
adoption of his son, Alexander. in 1994,
families who want to advocate for
these programs and to express your
College of Bible in Langhorne, PA. He
other adoption professionals for a
delphia, PA.
from Brazil. What was to be a three-
adoption benefits at work. A national
opinion.
will be leading a workshop for profes-
variety of workshops focusing on
week stay in that country became six
database of employers offering adoption
sionals on the recruitment and retention
adoption and mental health.
For more information about any
weeks for him--and a total of 10 months
benefits is being compiled.
*
vital services of the National
of minority families and one on issues in
For more information, please contact
of the upcoming events, please
for his wife.
For more information about this
Adoption Center
transracial adoption for families.
Linda Wilson at the Center.
contact the Adoption Center at 215-
Jim spent an additional six weeks in
project, contact Suzanne Camp.
735-9988.
3
6
Waiting Children Waiting Children Waiting Children
Waiting Children
Waiting Children
Waiting Children
The following children are among the 100,000 nationwide who are waiting for permanent families. The National Adoption
Center works to promote and expand adoption opportunities for children with special needs and children from minority cultures.
The children are older; some have physical, emotional, or learning disabilities. More than half of the children who wait are
African American. To find out more about making any of the featured children a part of your family. please contact an Adop-
Laquetta, age 10
tion Coordinator at the Center.
Laquetta is a bright girl who thoroughly enjoys school. In addition to
being consistently on the Honor Roll. she is active in many school-related
activities, including writing for her school newspaper and playing the
violin in the orchestra.
In her spare time, Laquetta can be found listening to music and
James, age 10
reading fashion magazines. She also enjoys helping her foster mother
James has a flare for performing. He takes acting and
with the household chores. Her foster mother describes Laquetta as "a
singing lessons weekly. He also enjoys dancing and is a
joy to have around."
member of his church's bell choir. Always hungry for knowl-
Coming from an abusive background, Laquetta will require counsel-
edge, James likes to visit museums and participate in cultural
ing throughout her childhood and a supportive, loving family.
events.
James attends special education classes because of his
emotional problems. He entered foster care as an infant and
has experienced many moves. James is receiving counseling to
help him understand his past. His social worker is looking for
a one or two-parent family who is willing to provide James
with the one-on-one attention he needs.
Sherry, age 10
Michael, age 4
Precocious Sherry is a talkative child who does best with individual
Michael catches everyone's eye with
attention. She likes to play on the swings at a nearby playground or to
his big brown eyes, curly eyelashes and
spend time coloring and painting. She enjoys giving her artwork to
dimpled smile.
people who have been nice to her.
Michael has fetal alcohol syndrome
Sherry comes from an abusive background and is receiving
that causes severe developmental delays
counseling to help her deal with her feelings. She receives medication
in all areas.
to control impulsive behavior.
He is making steady progress with
Her worker is seeking a family with experience parenting children
the help of early intervention services.
with severe emotional problems.
including physical. occupational. and
speech therapy four times a week.
His social worker is looking for a
family who will help him reach his
fullest potential. while recognizing his
limitations.
Natasha, 6, Victoria, 5, and Tracy. 4
Natasha can often be found playing school, teaching her sister and brother their
ABC's and how to count. This sensitive youngster has a heart abnormality that is
Bobby, age 12
gradually improving and does not require surgery.
Bobby is happiest when he is outside playing ball--
Victoria (don't call me Vicki. My name is Victoria!) is the most outgoing
whether it is soccer. football, baseball. or basketball. He is
member of the group. Talkative and full of personality. she enjoys meeting new
able to perform well in school with the help of medication
people and visiting places.
for attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity.
The baby of the group is Tracy. He is a whirlwind of energy and is in constant
Bobby entered foster care for the first time at age 2 and
motion. Mealtime is the only time he will remain seated for awhile. According to
has experienced many losses. He is receiving therapy to
his foster mother. "This boy can eat!"
help him learn to trust again. He needs parents with
All of the children are healthy and developmentally on target.
patience and the ability to help him build a loving relation-
ship.
5
4