Archive for February 28, 2012

We Need You to Advocate for the Adoption Tax Credit!

What is the adoption tax credit?

The adoption tax credit, which can be claimed for eligible adoption-related expenses, has helped thousands of American families offset the high cost of adoption since the credit was established in 1997. It has made adoption a financially viable option for many parents who might not otherwise have been able to afford adoption, allowing them to provide children with loving, permanent families. With over 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system currently eligible for adoption, and an ever increasing number of orphaned and abandoned children worldwide languishing in institutions, the continuation of the adoption tax credit is vital to providing love, safety, and permanency through adoption to as many children as possible.

History of the Adoption Tax Credit

• The adoption tax credit has historically been a non-partisan issue, and is supported by the current administration as well as a majority of members of Congress.
• Although several different bills have been introduced to establish the adoption tax credit and make it a permanent part of the U.S. tax code, Congress has never passed legislation specific to the credit itself. Instead, the adoption tax credit has been extended every year since its initial passage as part of the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996.
• In December 2010, the Tax Relief Act extended the adoption tax credit through tax year 2012; for this year, the credit is once again nonrefundable.
• The current adoption tax credit is set to sunset on December 31, 2012. If it is allowed to expire, after tax year 2012 the adoption tax credit will revert back to a maximum tax credit of $6,000 for parents adopting children with special needs, and there will be no adoption tax credit available for all other adoptive parents beginning in tax year 2013.

For the full Adoption Tax Credit Advocacy Kit, click here.

New Mandarin Video from the Cleft Palate Foundation

The Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to optimizing the quality of life for individuals affected by facial birth defects. It was founded by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association in 1973 to be the public service arm of the professional Association.

The mission of CPF is to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial birth defects.

Fuling Kids International and CPF recently partnered together to place Mandarin subtitles on their feeding video to hopefully better inform and educate caregivers in Chinese orphanages and medical facilities caring for Chinese orphans.

Click here to watch the video! The video is also available in English here.

CCCWA Exclusive Legacy Journey Tours!

GWCA/CAN runs Legacy Journey, our China homeland tour service, which helps families plan reunion tours to China for Chinese adoptees and their families. After adopting your child from China, you may have considered taking them back for a visit some day. We wanted to reach out and let you know about our new China Homeland Tour option where the CCCWA (Chinese government) sponsors your adopted child to go on the tour for FREE! All you have to pay is international airfare and a few meals for them in China. With your adopted child or children traveling free, you will save over $1700 per child on this trip, so take advantage of this opportunity and take your family back to China on a cultural adventure!

This generous offer by the Chinese government has been granted to Legacy Journey this year, thanks to Great Wall China Adoption’s special relationship with Chinese officials, but may not be guaranteed available for next year. For more information on this exclusive, once in a lifetime opportunity for your child to visit their homeland for free, please visit our Legacy Journey website at www.inviteyoutochina.org.

2012 Together for Them Conference

The Together for Them Conference is an adoption, foster & orphan care conference. The Conference will provide families with resources, support, guidance, community, and hope surrounding their adoption and foster journeys. Multiple speakers and breakouts will provide education on such important topics as parenting methods (including Attachment, Theraplay, Sensory Issues), pre-post adoption planning, navigating the foster system, foster children and their needs, orphan care and other relevant issues. This conference will be the beginning for families to make valuable support connections and learn how best to meet the unique needs of the adopted and fostered children that are blessing our lives. 

The conference is in the Houston area on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 8:30 am until 3:45!

For more information, please go to www.togetherforthem.org!