Children in Families First Act of 2013 (CHIFF)
Children Need Families. We Need Your Voice!
Children in Families First Act of 2013 (CHIFF) Introduced in the Senate Today!
As you know, every day, all over the world, more children find themselves living without families – on the streets, in orphanages, in refugee camps. By some estimates, there are now 200 million orphans in the world. But the U.S. Government, through our foreign policy and programming, is not helping to turn this around.
Americans know that family is the bedrock of any society, and that children need the permanent love, care, and protection of a family to grow into healthy, productive adults. Although U.S. foreign policy in theory emphasizes preserving or creating safe, permanent families for children through family reunification, kinship care, domestic or intercountry adoption, the structures and coordination are not there to make it happen. We need change, and NCFA believes this legislation will get us on the right path.
It seeks to redirect a portion of the funds the U.S. currently spends on children living abroad toward ensuring that all children grow up in a family. It restructures the way intercountry adoption is more appropriately placing an office in the Department of State, providing clear direction to not just regulate, but advocate for children in families, and a better balance of adoption support and administration between Department of State and USCIS. (For more detail see the attached, complete legislation.)
You can play a key role in helping to make this happen. Tell your stories. Explain your concerns. As trusted experts in this professional community, your voices will be valuable in explaining to congress and the public why this matters.
Here are specific ways you can get involved.
1. Call your Members of Congress! Ask them to cosponsor the Children in Families First Act of 2013 (S.1530). Let them know that you want your government to make a family for every child a priority!
2. Connect with Congress online. Social media allows you to directly connect with your elected officials.
3. Visit your members of Congress or their staff.
4. Email a letter to your 3 Members of Congress.
5. Be a part of the community! Like CHIFF on Facebook and Twitter!
To learn more, please regularly visit: www.childreninfamiliesfirst.org
Read MoreMy Daughter, Forever and Always
Amanda Carr, an adoptee of 15 years, shares a beautiful adoption story through creative words. She says that she came up with the name of her poem “because even though we (adopted girls and boys) don’t know our biological parents, we will forever be theirs.”
Amanda currently resides with her parents Tony & Shelley Carr of Pflugerville, Texas. Great Wall China Adoption helped celebrate her “Gotcha Day” in 1998.
For nine months I was being formed
All alone by herself my Mother hid
Hiding her daughter that grew inside.July 11th 1997 I was born
My Mother and Father wept
Holding onto their first born
Their daughter
My name is Dai-JunTwo weeks later My Mother and Father mourn
Wrapped in a blanket and placed in a basket
One last hug and kiss
Before getting whisked away
Into the darkness I am carriedDown the street of Dai Shan in Nanchang.
She places my basket down on the street
Kissing my hands, head and feetShe says “Goodbye” and quickly fades in to the darkness.
On the street of Dai-Shan a little girl lays
So helpless and vulnerable
Wrapped up in a blanket so delicate and neat
Her Mother watches from afar
She wants to go and get her little girlThis little girl gets whisked to the orphanage.
So many little girls
All abandoned
All without a family.
The Mother goes back to her village
Going to the room where her daughter was born
She weeps as she holds a picture close to her heart.
The Father sung to his daughter every night he could.
Holding her close as possible he rocked
And swayed her
Singing and kissing his first born daughter.
Every year on Dai-Jun’s birthday the parents’ morn and cry
Not knowing if their daughter is okay or even alive.
The parents hold a picture of her and whisper
“You are our Daughter Forever and Always”
Meet Kayley Viteo!
We are excited to give our families a little glimpse of the staff here at GWCA and CAN, so that you can see who we are and why we love doing just what we do. Every day we come to work and love to connect with our families, but now we are going to show you whose faces are behind every phone call, letter and E-mail received.
Kayley is a true renaissance woman! She has her hand in a lot of things around here, but that’s just because she’s so good at everything she does! Kayley recently transitioned roles at GWCA but she’s made it look so effortless and seamless. She’s passionate about her families and her job which makes for the perfect combination!
So without further ado…meet Kayley!
- What is your job title and description here at GWCA?
I started as the Administrative Assistant, and have recently transitioned into the role of Travel Advisor. In my role as Administrative Assistant I helped each department run as smoothly as possible. This ranged from transferring calls to accounting tasks like preparing contracts. A little bit of everything, I like to say!
As Travel Advisor, I facilitate each family’s travel to the country where they will be adopting their child! This includes intra-country travel arrangements, scheduling adoption appointments, and making sure families are prepared for their journey in whatever way they may need. I also oversee our Legacy Journey program, and I have a group of families leaving this week for China.
- How long have you been working at GWCA?
I began work at GWCA as the Administrative Assistant on January 15, 2013. I have begun work as the Travel Advisor in the last two weeks, and I am so excited to be taking on this new role.
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
Talking with families, hands down. This is the bright spot of my day – whether it’s telling a family they received their travel approval, or even just answering administrative questions. My goal in helping them through adoption is to make it as smooth as possible, and communication is a huge part of that. So I always tell my families to call and/or email as much as they like, because I’m happy to help.
- What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
Working with separate entities is probably the most difficult part of my job, if only because this can sometimes cause unexpected delays. As Travel Advisor, I try my best to have families travel to pickup their child as soon as it is possible.
- How have you grown personally from working at GWCA and with their families?
GWCA is a collaborative environment, and I think that has made me more aware of effective communication, teamwork, and coordinating my day so that it helps someone else – both the families that we serve, and other staff.
I have never worked at a place so emotionally rewarding, and there is nothing better than calling a family to give them great news and hearing their reaction. However, adoption journeys are never “perfect,” but I’m always honored to be a part of them in whatever capacity I can be.
- Why do you love adoption?
Every human being deserves a family that loves them. Adoption gives families the chance to grow, and gives children in particular the chance to learn and play in a happy environment. I think being born into that type of environment is a wonderful privilege, and my work is centered on the goal of extending that privilege to all orphans. Personally, my mother was adopted, and when I found out as a child I remember thinking how lucky we were that my grandparents made that choice.
Fun facts about Kayley:
1. I am a black belt in American tae kwon do.
2. I have two dogs and I could not love them more, even if I’m pretty sure they conspire against me.
3. I moved to Canada for two years to go to graduate school, and I don’t know what I’m going to do without proper cold weather in my life now. (Side note: It’s true, Canadians are the nicest people in the universe.)
4. My mother and I once drove for 25 hours straight from London,Ontario to San Antonio,Texas just to prove we could do it.
5. I love movies of any kind, and if there is a quirky documentary on this planet that I haven’t seen … I would be shocked.
“Kayley is simply one of a kind! She is one of the hardest workers and is always volunteering to take on whatever needs to be done. She does it all with a joyful heart, and everybody around here knows that she is some they can always count on!” –Kayley’s Co-worker
Read MoreMeet Kristin Cecil!
We are excited to give our families a little glimpse of the staff here at GWCA and CAN, so that you can see who we are and why we love doing just what we do. Every day we come to work and love to connect with our families, but now we are going to show you whose faces are behind every phone call, letter and E-mail received.
Kristin is such a servant-hearted person. You can tell just by being around her for a few minutes that she cares deeply and truly about each of her families. She never tires of loving them well either! Day after day, Kristin is steady in her devotion. Her job is one that is complex, long and hard but you would never know it by her sweet and cheerful demeanor! She loves doing what she does and it’s undeniably evident.
So without further ado…meet Kristin!
- What is your job title and description here at GWCA?
I am the Referral Consultant at Great Wall China Adoption. I help prepare, advocate, and counsel families waiting for a healthy referral from China, and help all families in the Waiting Child and Healthy Program complete the necessary paperwork before a family travels to complete the adoption.
- How long have you been working at GWCA?
I started with GWCA at the beginning of January 2013.
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
The most rewarding part of my position is calling families immediately to share the good news of being matched with a child. It is such a great honor and privilege to be the courier of good news.
- What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
The most difficult aspect of my job is working through the different government agencies paperwork process and the wait times for the processing of paperwork. The adoption paperwork process is detailed, complex, and very procedural.
- How have you grown personally from working at GWCA and with their families?
As said before it is a great honor and privilege to be working with all the families, and hearing their stories. Each family’s adoption journey is completely different, and I grow personally learning something new and wonderful from working with each family individually. I have learned great deal of knowledge about international adoption world.
- Why do you love adoption?
I love adoption because I have first hand seen my extended family and close friends who have been able to complete their families or find their forever families through adoption. I believe is it such a wonderful way to grow a family, and provide homes and unconditional love to children who do not have that support around the world.
Fun facts about Kristin:
1. I completed my Master in Public Administration from Suffolk University just in May 2012!
2. I played on the intercollegiate tennis team in undergrad and was team captain my senior year. I won my first and only match near the end of my senior year playing doubles.
3. I couldn’t say a word when I met Pete Sampras in person.
4. I have snow shoed up to 11,000 feet above sea level in the Colorado Mountains National Park.
5. I lived in Boston, MA for three years, and I will always love the Red Sox and Fenway Park.
Noah and Nora Need You Now!
At GWCA/CAN our waiting children deserve as much advocacy and support as possible. We know their forever family is also waiting for them, and our mission is to provide you with as much information on these kiddos as possible! Today, we are highlighting Noah and Nora, a sibling group from our Bulgaria program! Are you their forever family?
**For more information on Noah and Nora, please contact: Emily@childrenofallnations.com**
Noah and Nora are siblings that were placed in the care of their local village in 2006 due to negligence and maltreatment. Noah, male, was born in July of 2003. He is healthy and up to date on all of his immunizations. The reports indicate delay in development but with the tendency of improvement. His time in the child center has brought positive changes in his concentration and observation skills and there has been a significant enrichment of his vocabulary. He is very energetic can skateboard and ride a bike. He has adapted to the condition and order in the center and has a
well-established bond with is mentor. He is currently in the third grad and is adapting well in school. Unlike previous years, he has good motivation for learning. Even the smallest success makes him want to try harder! He likes to tell stories and fairytales and to memorize short poems. He participates in different daily activities, shows responsiveness and responsibility. Nora, female, was born in June of 2004. She is healthy and up to date on all of her immunizations. The report indicated delays in neuro-psychical development and suggestions to work with psychologist, speech therapist and resource teacher are recommended. She active and energetic and enjoys participating in different games. Nora’s fine motor skills are delayed, but there are positive changes due to work with the center. The report indicates speech-language development
delays and indicates there is a Phonematic hearing is disturbed but she can handle sound analysis and synthesis. She understands the meaning of simple words but meets difficulties with complicated and abstract concepts. Speech and language therapy are recommended. Nora has a strong personality and prefers to be the leader. The report describes her as “whimsical” She has adapted to conditions at the center but does not always keep the established rules. She is attached and has an established bond with her mentor. She is a 2nd grade student at a new school and has had some difficulty adjusting. There seems to be a little regression in her behavior and relations. The activities with the resource teacher are continued in the new school year. She gladly
participates in singing, but articulation of words causes difficulties. She is expressing her emotions with singing and has stage behavior. There are established some basic daily habits and skills. She learned fast how to serve and clean the table. She shows desire to help after feeding with the vacuum cleaner in the dining room. In such cases she participates with joy and is willing to do the assigned tasks.
**For more information on Noah and Nora, please contact: Emily@childrenofallnations.com**
Read MoreLegislation to Make Adoption Tax Credit Refundable
Casey Introduces Legislation to Make Adoption Tax Credit Refundable
Making Credit Refundable Would Extend Benefits to More Families
Thursday, May 23, 2013
In 2011 62% of Filers Benefited from Refundable Credit
Washington, DC –Today U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2013 with Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA). The bill would make the Adoption Tax Credit fully refundable. Making the tax credit refundable would extend its benefits to more Americans. According to IRS data, 62% of filers in 2011 benefited from the refundable Adoption Tax Credit. In 2010, Senator Casey championed provisions, which were signed into law, to increase the value of the tax credit and make it permanent for two years.
“Making the Adoption Tax Credit refundable will support and encourage adoption by assisting families with some of the costs,” Senator Casey said. “The Adoption Tax Credit has been a proven success in increasing families’ ability to offer permanent homes to adoptive children. Making the credit refundable will allow more families to experience its benefits.”
The adoption tax credit was made permanent in the American Taxpayer Relief Act in January 2013. However, that law did not extend the refundability provisions that applied to the adoption tax credit in 2010 and 2011. The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act will restore the refundable portion of this critical support for families wishing to adopt.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, one-third of all adopted children live in families with annual household income at or below 200 percent of the poverty level. Despite the common misperception that only wealthy families adopt, nearly 46 percent of families adopting from foster care are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Many of these families’ tax burdens are so low that they cannot benefit from the adoption tax credit at all unless it is refundable.
Preliminary 2011 data indicate that nearly 62 percent of families who filed for the adoption tax credit benefited from refundability. Forty-one percent of families who benefited from refundability (25 percent of all families who took the tax credit) had adjusted gross incomes under $50,000.
These data indicate that a refundable adoption tax credit plays a significant role in lower-income families’ ability to adopt and support a child from foster care. Older data from a 2006 study cited by HHS demonstrate a significant financial benefit to society, as well: the cost of adoption and permanency is significantly lower than the cost to federal, state and local governments to provide long-term foster care.
Read MoreGWCA 17th Anniversary
This week, Great Wall China Adoption celebrates it’s 17th anniversary!
GWCA is so happy to have helped over 6,000 children come home to their forever families. We are excited to continue serving our families and children for many more years to come!
Read MorePhilippines Children Looking for their Forever Families!
At GWCA/CAN our waiting children deserve as much advocacy and support as possible. We know their forever family is also waiting for them, and our mission is to provide you with as much information on these kiddos as possible! Today, we are highlighting Molly and a sibling group: James, Andrea, and Johnny, from our Philippines program! They all need loving homes. Can you help us?!
**For more information, please contact: leighanne@gwca.org **
1) Molly’s full file and picture is available for review until the end of May! Contact us if you are interested in this beautiful little girl.
Molly was born premature in 2009. She was left by her birthmother in the hospital. Molly was also diagnosed with pneumonitis on her left lower lobe and thus required confinement. When she was admitted at the center, she was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis and was given medication.
Molly can stand and walk on her own and climb stairs with the help of a railing. She can grasp and transfer objects and can pick up objects with several fingers. She smiles at familiar faces and coos and gurgles when talked to. She can vocalize sounds. She understands simple commands accompanied with gestures like “come here” and smiles when talked to. She uses gestures to indicate her needs or imitate speech sounds.Molly is assessed to have developmental delays and profound hearing loss, bi-lateral.
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2) The full file is available for review until the end of May for these lovely Siblings!
The children were voluntarily surrendered by the biological mother due poverty conditions. The children’s birth father who is married did not acknowledge paternity over his children. The birthmother died of kidney failure and ovarian cancer in August 2011.
*James is now 12 years and 5 months old. He is physically active and spontaneous person. At present he is being assessed to know the condition of his left ear. He was diagnosed of mild hearing loss on his right ear and mild to moderate conductive hearing loss in the left ear. The child is advised for yearly audiometry. James enjoys outdoor games such as basketball, badminton, baseball and football. He has a good hygiene and independently washes his own clothes. He is currently in Grade 3 level. He is described by his teacher as punctual, obedient and eager to learn. He started to read Tagalog and English. He is a happy child and has several friends. He is one of the dancers in the center and church. His IQ level is low average.
*Andrea is now 9 years and 6 months old. She is happy, active and affectionate child. She is healthy and has a good hygiene. She enjoys her studies and attends tutorial class. She can read Tagalog and English. She wants to become nurse someday. Her IQ level is that of a slow learner. She is sweet and has several friends. She enjoys outdoor activities. She is strong willed person.
*Johnny is now 7 years and 5 months old. He is active and enjoys swimming and running with his siblings. Child has mild wasting (89. 5%) with height for his age based on Waterlowe’s classification. Nutritional build up was suggested. Johnny’s teacher complimented him for being eager to learn although he has short attention span. He continues to learn the alphabet. He can identify words like dog, cat, mat, and sad. He can draw and color. He holds pencil and crayon in a correct position. During free time he memorizes bible verses. He recites intonation with confidence. He enjoys attending school. His teacher described him as responsible student. His caregivers described him as loving, sweet and respectful. His IQ level is low-average.
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Spring News and Updates!!!
On April 24, 2013 we received 2 referrals for families whose dossiers were logged in on October 26, 2006. This referral group included 2 girls whose ages ranged from 12 months to 16 months. Children in this referral group were from the Jiangxi province. Congratulations to these families!
If you are in the 11/7/2006 , 11/13/2006, and 11/16/2006 LID group and have not been in contact with me please call or email me at 512-323-9595 ext. 3092 or email kristin@gwca.org ASAP to review your status.
NEWS & UPDATES:
NEW GREAT WALLCHINA ADOPTIONS AND CHILDREN OF ALL NATIONS ADOPTIONS FORUM
Great Wall and Children of All Nations has just started a new Adoption Forum, so all our families can connect to have positive, inspirational, and informative discussions. The Forum will have discussion topics about our country programs. Our Adoption Forum also contains a book club. Each month we will post an intriguing adoption book to explore and discuss. Join our Adoption Forum today and become more interactive in the Great Wall and Children of All Nations family here. http://childrenofallnations.com/forum/
USCIS PAPERWORK INFORMATION
On April 8, 2013, USCIS published revised Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, and Form I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition, with 3/05/2013 edition dates. USCIS will accept older editions for 60 days. Beginning June 8, 2013, USCIS will only accept the 03/05/2013 editions.
The applications are free and can be downloaded from USCIS’s website here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
CHINA LABOR DAY!!!
Beginning April 29 through May 1stChinacelebrates the National Labor Day Holiday!Chinaworkers get to enjoy time off of work to celebrate spring with Tomb Sweeping, Dragon Boat, and Mid-Autumn festivals.
THE LID EDGE: FAMILIES WITH LOG IN DATE HAVE THE EDGE!
The CCCWA adds new children to the shared list once a month. For the first month that a child is available for adoption, they can only be matched with a family that is logged-in. The Waiting Child team monitors the shared list for potential matches for our LID families. Children with commonly accepted or “minor” conditions will generally be placed very quickly with a family who has a LID. If your family is hoping to adopt a child who has been diagnosed with a minor, correctable and/or more commonly accepted condition or diagnosis, you will want to consider the LID Edge.
If you decide this is something you want to learn more about please contact me or one of our Waiting Child Specialists to learn more about this program.
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