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1. Announcements | | |
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Adoption Photo Contest Winners
Adoption.com would like to congratulate the winner and 3 runners up of the Adoption Photo Contest:
Winner:
Linda Reel
Runners Up:
Lisa Finneran  Connie Springer  Coleen Griffen
Thanks to everyone who participated by sharing their beautiful pictures with us! In a few weeks, photos submitted for the contest will be available on-line for viewing.
Adopting.org Re-launched
We are pleased to announce the re-launch of Adopting.org. Take some time to check out its new look and feel, read some articles, and post on the forums. Just click here.
Get Your New Listing Free for the Remainder of 2005
For a limited time, get your new listing on the internet's largest and most popular adoption directory free for the remainder of 2005! To learn more, click here.
Lend Your Voice
Needed: Adoption.com is looking for a volunteer from the adoption community with broadcast speaking experience to assist with the beta of an exciting new service. Interested? E-mail editor@adoptionweek.com with a brief bio and an audio file of your speaking voice.
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2. The Adoption Blog - by Nancy Ashe | | | | |
Adoption Wiki Launches - We are pleased to announce the launch of the first-ever Adoption Wiki...more.
The Road to Adoption: Fost-Adopt - Fost-Adopt programs were created to bridge the gap between a child’s initial need for temporary care and the long-term need for a permanent home. Children are in the U.S. foster care system and, in addition to state and county fost-adopt programs, some private agencies also work with social services to assist in these placements...more.
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3. Highlighted Articles | | | | |
The views expressed by the authors are solely their own, and for which the authors are responsible. These views do not necessarily represent the views of Adoption Week e-Magazine.
Reunions: Not Always All TV Cracks Them up to Be - new article by Susan Cockburn
I was raised in a financially comfortable home with two parents that were older than the ages of my friends. My parents chose to adopt when they were ages 35 and 41. My father was a vice-president and trust officer for a well known bank in town and my mother was a teacher but chose to retire when they adopted my sister so that she could be a stay at home mother and raise us. My father worked all the time and went to school at night to get his Masters degree but he spent as much time with us as he could when not working or at school...more
Dani's Reunion Story - new article by Dani
My father was born in 1948. He was respectfully placed for adoption at the time of his birth. My search for biological family started in 1997. It took me until 2004 to find anything...more
International Travel - new article by James Reilly, M.D.
Traveling to another country can have its own hazards. Your own health changes all the time and it is a good idea to get a checkup before you go on a long trip where it will be difficult to get medical care...more
An Assorted Fairytale XX - new article by Linda Muzzin
She told me hurtful things that had happened to her, things about our mother that I would be ashamed to print here. It was hard to hear, but it was good to hear, because it cut the illusion from my mind. I still need help with that. I have always dreamt that our mother was waiting for the right time to bring us all together, that this Latin mother couldn’t possibly love us less. But it turns out I was wrong then, and I am still wrong today. She loves me less now than ever...more
Read these articles at e-Magazine.adoption.com, and submit your adoption-related articles for publication in Adoption Week e-Magazine and Adoption.com.
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4. Adoption News | | | | |
Medicaid Cutbacks Foster Dilemmas
Jim McBrayer wants to keep his 9-year-old foster child, but since the state dropped the child's mental health medication, his behavior problems are putting other children in the home at risk. McBrayer and his wife, of Flagler Beach, who care for two adopted children and two foster children, are trying the child on a third state-approved medication...more
State Has Put Foster Kids with Ex-cons, Audit Finds
The state agency in charge of child foster care fails to identify convicted criminals living with or caring for kids, inadequately monitors conditions in foster homes and falls short across the board in the delivery of safe and adequate service, according to an audit released Wednesday...more
Parliament Committee Proposes Banning Foreign Adoptions
The social policy committee of the Federation Council, parliament's upper chamber, has proposed prohibiting foreigners from adopting Russian children, committee chairperson Valentina Petrenko said Wednesday...more
Adoption Becoming More Open
Child welfare advocates want more people to consider adoption, and hope new measures to open up the process and break traditional views will help...more
Judge Blocks Subsidy Cuts
U.S. District Judge Scott Wright in Kansas City agreed late yesterday to temporarily stop a new Missouri law that would limit monthly support checks for certain families who adopt foster children...more
Read more headlines at news.adoption.com.
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5. Adoption Law & Policy News | | | | |
August 17, 2005
WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY
Foster Care/Recruitment of Families/Improvement of Placements
Arizona: “Cry Goes Out For Foster Parents” - by Sarah Morgad
Mohave Daily News, August 13, 2005
Click here.
International Adoption/Advocacy Efforts of Foreign Country
Georgia: “Kazakh Orphans Hope for Adoption” - by Valerie Hoff
News 11 Alive.com, August 15, 2005
Click here.
WEEKLY CASE SUMMARY
Dependency Procedures/Custody/Parental Unfitness
California: Sara M. v. Tuolumne County Department of Social Services
The Supreme Court of California reversed a judgment from the court of appeals that granted relief to a mother in dependency proceedings...
Cite: Cite: S129821; 2005 Cal. LEXIS 8592 (August 8, 2005)
Click here.
Putative Fathers
Texas: In re K.B.S.
The Court of Appeals of Texas, Ninth District, affirmed a district court decision declining to adjudicate the parentage of a child...
Cite: No. 09-04-446 CV, 2005 Tex. App. LEXIS 6333 (Tex. App. August 11, 2005)
Click here.
Credit: National Center for Adoption Law & Policy
Link: http://www.law.capital.edu/adoption
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| | 6. Featured Adoption Product | |
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Tickle Town T-Shirt - Touch is a universal language, recognized by children worldwide, and the new Tickle Town T-shirt delivers the essential one-to-one component needed for the adoptive child to realize his or her inclusion in the family. The Tickle Town T-shirt allows kids to "drive" a wooden massage car through the whimsical scene on the back of the shirt worn by the parent. Fun for kids, back therapy for the parent! Games you can play with the shirt encourage a loving, tactile bond. Spend extra time together customizing the massage car with the included paint set...more
Find 1,000+ other adoption products at adoptionshop.com.
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| | 7. Featured Waiting Child | | | | |
 Ashley is a bright, articulate child. She enjoys reading, and as a typical teen, enjoys talking on the phone. She enjoys spending time with her friends, but unfortunately, she does not always ask permission for these visits. Ashley likes school and does well in her classes. She can be confrontive but will respond to positive reinforcement. She suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as depression but responds well to medication management. A two-parent family is recommended for Ashley. She is in need of a strong family support system to guide her in making the right choices to enjoy a happy, healthy, and secure future. Ashley will thrive in a family environment where there are consistent rules and expectations and plenty of love to share. She would probably benefit from a family with younger siblings...more
Photolisting.adoption.com is a free community service of adoption.com featuring thousands of children awaiting loving, permanent homes.
| | | 8. Meet New Hopeful Adoptive Parents | | | | |
Are you pregnant? Visit parentprofiles.com (a service of Adoption Profiles, LLC) to find the right adoptive parents for your baby. Are you a hopeful adoptive parent? Build your profile.
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9. Adoption Gem | | | | |
"Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction."
- Anne Sullivan (Helen Keller's Teacher)
Share your story, thought, or quote.
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10. Adoption Buzz | | | | |
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11. Just for the Fun of It | | | | |
Hearing Whatever We Want
Josh, 4, was visiting his grandfather and me. I told him he could have either cereal, pancakes, or waffles for breakfast.
He thought a moment, looked up at me, and asked, "Did you say cookies?"
- Barb Clark, Lakeland, Minnesota. Christian Reader, "Kids of the Kingdom."
Submitted by: Bob Hiller
Share your humorous adoption story or joke.
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| | 12. Featured Adoption Professional | | | | |
Trans Parent Systems Inc. (TPS) - Alpharetta, GA
Phone: (678) 893-7400 E-mail: info@tpsystems.org
Services: • Education & Training • International Adoption ...more
Find adoption agencies, attorneys and other adoption professionals at adoptiondirectory.com. See your ad here.
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| | 13. Speak Out | | | | |
This section is not intended for search inquiries. However, in cases where search inquiries are posted, if contacted by an individual wishing to assist you with a search, do not assume or believe that any searcher is a professional or has the backing of Adoption.com or its constituents. If you provide information to anyone you are unfamiliar with or agree to a paid search, you do so at your own risk.
I have a bit of a different problem here. I am an adoptive mother, and I worry that when my daughter wants to meet her birth mom, we won't be able to find her. I only met her once, and she did not want contact. She has also moved to another country since the adoption. The attorney does not know how to contact her. I do have pictures and some information, but I am not sure it is correct. How do I handle this delicate situation with her? Because the birth mom doesn't read or write, I know she will not be on-line looking for her, etc. - B
Dear CA: It seems that we have something in common. I was born in Centralia, WA and my records have been sealed. I lost my b-mother and after that I was told by WA that if I had her written permission notarized, I could get them unsealed. Before that, when my mother was alive, I contacted them and they told me that I would have to hire an attorney. I did know my b-mother and I met my b-father when I was 22. I am 53 now, and after seeing my father a couple of times, I have lost contact with him and I do not even know if he is still alive. To all parents that are adopting children, please be forthright in letting them know that they are adopted...more
Hi! I finally found my bmom. I have a phone number and address, but I'm not sure what to do next. I have started several letters, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say or not say. My bmom lived with my adopted parents while she was pregnant, but I was told that she didn't know that they were adopting me. Over the years I have contacted my bgrandfather, but he would not give me any information. The problem is I don't know if everything I was told is the truth or not. My Mom has a problem with not always telling the truth, and I don't want a lie to get in the way. If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it.
I am a birth mother who is starting to search for my daughter. I have been informed that the laws have changed and I can start to search for her. She does not have to search for me. She was adopted in Ontario, Canada. Would someone please point me in the right direction. Where do I start? - Heather Wolfe
I have never written here before, but after reading the letter from the young girl looking for her birth mother in Michigan, I felt I needed to respond, and hopefully give her some hope. I gave birth to a baby girl on March 30, 1965, in Mt. Clemens, MI. I was 15
years old at the time, and although 2 years later, I married my true love (the father of the baby), I knew at our age, we could have never given a child what she deserved to have for her lifetime. I made the decision to adoption, with the support of my family, and boyfriend. We have been married for 38 years and are still very much in love and pray every day that someday our daughter will pick up the phone and call the Michigan Child Care Services and find that we have released all of our personal information for her. She would also find that she has two blood brothers, who would very much like to find her. Our hands are tied because everything we have tried has brought no results. We were told, it is up to her now, as the original adoption records are sealed. I have a copy of the original birth certificate, but not of the adopted certificate, so I do not know her last name. My only fear is that our daughter does not know
she was even adopted and would have no reason to look for her birth parents. I just want the girl, whose mother does not want to pursue seeing her at this time, to know that the love is still there, it has to be for a parent, and someday the birth mother will have to seek out her daughter. She should never give up, as I haven't, even after 40 years! - Judi Tarpley, GA
Speak Out - share your opinion, comment, or respond to a message.
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14. Adoption Poetry | | | | |
Untitled
My adopted mother liked to cross-stitch when I was little.
She made a picture for me that lets me know how very special I am to her even now that I am 27 years old.
It reads as follows:
A child we create is a gift of love,
a gift from God, a gift from above.
But a chosen child is more precious still,
a promise, a hope our love will fulfill.
Pam and Curtis chose Allison on May 2, 1978.
Allison Thomas, North Carolina
This helps me get through the rough days by allowing me to remember that love truly is the reason I am here today.
Read more adoption poetry, or share your adoption poem.
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| | 15. Adoption Calendar | | | | |
Adoption Events:
Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival
August 26 & 27 - Wisconsin
For more information, click here.
Dragon Boat Festival
August 27 & 28 - San Francisco, CA
For more information, click here.
International Adoption Seminar
August 30 (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 6031 W. Chapel Hill Road Mequon, WI
Sunshine Adoption, Inc. - Free event. To RSVP, call (262) 796-9898 or e-mail us. For more information, call or click here.
International Adoption Seminar
August 31 (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - Community United Methodist Church, 14700 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove, WI
Sunshine Adoption, Inc. - Free event. To RSVP, call (262) 796-9898 or e-mail us. For more information, call or click here.
Help for Adoptive Families with Preteens and Teens
September 7 (6:30 pm) - Adoption Network Cleveland, 1667 East 40th, Suite B1, Cleveland, Ohio
Adoption Network Cleveland - All families face challenges that inevitably arise alongside the joys of being a family, especially during a child's preteen and teenage years. Members of adoptive families, however, face certain unique issues and challenges during this time in the child's life solely because their families were formed by adoption. Discussion topics in this 7-part series include, but are not limited to: Separation; Attachment & Bonding; Entitlement & Claiming; Child Development & Behaviors; Communication & Individuation; Separation & Loss; Grief and Team Building. Registration is required. For more information, contact Linda Bellini at (216) 325-1000, ext. 103, or click here.
International Adoption Seminar
September 7 (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - High Point Church, 7702 Old Sauk Road, Madison, WI
Sunshine Adoption, Inc. - Free event. To RSVP, call (262) 796-9898 or e-mail us. For more information, call or click here.
ABC's of International Adoption
September 7 (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm) - Rockwell Library, 5939 E. 9th St, Wichita, KS
Dillon International, Inc. - During this free informational meeting, attendees will be given an overview of the process of international adoption, individual country requirements and adoption costs. In addition, they will be given information on waiting children from South Korea, China, India, Ukraine, Vietnam, Haiti, and Guatemala. For more information(316) 682-2595 or e-mail. For more information, call or click here.
Adopting from China: Information Workshop
September 8 (6:15 pm) - Peggy V. Helmerich Library, 5131 E. 91st Street, Tulsa, OK
Great Wall China Adoption - Free informational workshop. Interested families are welcome to join us as we discuss China’s adoption program. Meet families who have returned from China and hear from them, first hand, about their experiences. For more information, or to register, click here.
ABC's of International Adoption
September 8 (6:00 pm - 7:30 pm) - Brentwood Library, Springfield, MO
Dillon International, Inc. - During this free informational meeting, attendees will be given an overview of the process of international adoption, individual country requirements and adoption costs. In addition, they will be given information on waiting children from South Korea, China, India, Ukraine, Vietnam, Haiti, and Guatemala. For more information, call (417) 619-1426 or e-mail. For more information, click here.
Pre-Adoption Workshop: One-Day Seminar
September 10 (9:30 am - 3:30 pm) - First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center, Arlington, TX
Dillon International, Inc. - The cost is $100.00 for a married couple and $90.00 for a single adult applicant. The fee covers lunch and seminar materials. Facilities do not provide for childcare. To register, e-mail, call (918) 749-4600, or click here.
Adopting from China
September 10 (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm) - Keller Public Library, 640 Johnson Rd., Keller, TX
Great Wall China Adoption - Free informational meeting. Meet families who have returned from China and hear from them, first hand, about their experiences. For more information, or to register, contact Melissa Lybrand at (817) 431-9979 or e-mail. For more information, call or click here.
To view local listings, regional seminars, many other adoption events, and to list your organization's events, visit adoptioncalendar.com.
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Adoption Week e-Magazine | | | |
Call For Content
Adoption Week e-Magazine is looking for well-written adoption-related articles, poems, quotes, book reviews, news, event announcements, product reviews, successful adoption and reunion stories, clean humor, letters to the editor, information on adoption legislation, and other adoption-related content. Submit content.
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This e-Magazine is provided as a free community service, and by using and reading it you agree to the terms and conditions as posted at AdoptionWeek.com. Adoption.com makes no warrantee about the accurateness of any information in this magazine, and does not endorse any adoption professional, adoption product or other adoption service. If you have received this e-mail erroneously, or do not agree to the terms of this disclaimer, please unsubscribe.
(c) Adoption Media, LLC 2005
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