From the Desk of Lizzie: October 17, 2012
Good Morning Families,
GWCA has started some exciting adoption campaigns! “Look What Love Can Do” was started to show the impact adoption can have on a child when a family brings a little one into their forever family. Feel free to look through each child’s pictures to see how their life has flourished. GWCA is so excited to help families at every stage of the adoption journey, and we would be happy to explore your adoption options through China today! What can your love do?
Another new agency campaign is: “Joy of Boys.” This campaign shows that although many families are only open to little girls, there are also boys in China waiting for their forever family. Are you interested in learning more about adopting from China…possibly a boy? Feel free to contact me at elizabeth@childrenofallnations.com for more information. You can also have your little boy’s ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos displayed in our “Joy of Boys” album on our GWCA website by submitting through our campaign site.
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
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From the Desk of Lizzie: October 10, 2012
Happy Fall!
Today I was a guest on Creating a Family’s radio show to discuss adopting as an American Family living abroad. Whitney Reitz, from USCIS, was on the panel as well…we had a great chat on such an interesting adoption topic!
Creating a Family is a wonderful nonprofit that provides education and resources about infertility and adoption. We discussed the differences U.S. citizens living abroad go through on their adoption journey and how agencies like GWCA/CAN can assist with this process. It was also great to share helpful tips for families, even pointing out specific adoption cases such as military families.
If you want to listen to a downloadable podcast, one is available right here.
As always, feel free to email me for more information: Elizabeth@childrenofallnations.com
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
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From the Desk of Lizzie: October 4, 2012
Hello GWCA/CAN Families,
I wanted to share wonderful news from CAN! We have started something very unique to help our children and families through our DRC program!
CAN is currently offering a tutoring and counseling program at one of our DRC orphanages for children age 3 and up. This program, called Jump Start, is aimed at teaching basic English and preparing children for the adoption transition. Our teacher, who has previous experience tutoring adopted Congolese children, is now helping our children prepare for their transition from the orphanage to their new homes. We are delighted to have formed this partnership and are able to hear weekly progress reports about the children. The children are thirsty for knowledge and love Jump Start! Our tutor writes, “In general, the kids like so much the school and I always have a problem to have school done. They want me to keep on teaching them and they never seem to get tired. They are all able to practice every thing they are taught. I told them about their new families, they were happy to hear that and some of the kids were asking me when they are supposed to meet their adoptive families. I heard some of them telling their friends that my mom and dad live in America; there, I am going to have good food, nice clothing, and nice stuff, they were talking even about things they do not know.”
If you want to know more about Jump Start and our DRC program, call me today at 512-323-9595 x3091
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
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From the Desk of Lizzie: September 26, 2012
Happy Wednesday,
I want to provide all families with an Adoption Tax Credit UPDATE!!! There is now a Senate companion bill (to H.R. 4373). On Friday the bill S.3616 was introduced. This bill would make the Adoption Tax Credit permanent and refundable. WE DEFINITELY WANT THIS TO HAPPEN!!
It’s “push time!” These bills needs co-sponsors, so please ask your Representative to co-sponsor HR 4373 and both your Senators to co-sponsor S 3616. The more support these bills have–meaning the more members of Congress hear from their constituents and understand the importance of extending the adoption tax credit and making it refundable– the better chance that a refundable adoption tax credit will be included in the final tax package agreed upon by Congress.
To email your Senators click here.
For tips about how to advocate click here.
Wishing the very best for the adoption tax credit and our families this week!
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
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From the Desk of Lizzie: September 19, 2012
Hi Families,
Last Saturday, I was going through my Netflix and found a great documentary called, “This Emotional Life” from PBS. It had a segment that discussed attachment and bonding, which is something many potential adoptive families ask and worry about. One important thing to know about attachment and bonding (in relation to adoption) is that every child’s story is different. Some children in orphanages might have bonding issues to overcome, but there are also children who crave love and healthy attention. Early childhood is an important time for bonding, but attachments can be made and constantly improved throughout a child’s life!
I am happy to help families discuss their adoption options and give resources to assist with attachment and bonding. GWCA/CAN is always here to support your family and adoption journey, so reach out to us today about any questions you may have: 512-323-9595 x3091
If you want to learn more about “This Emotional Life” and their information on attachment, you can read it here from PBS!
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
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From the Desk of Lizzie: September 12, 2012
Happy Wednesday Families,
As I discuss adoption with families, they always ask me for financial resources and planning. I encourage our families, especially right now, to look into the adoption tax credit. The current adoption tax credit can be a possibility for families with adoptions finalized by December 31, 2012. If Congress does not keep this tax credit (currently at $12,650), the amount will drop to $6,000 and apply only to a small number of special needs adoptions; there will not be an adoption tax credit for most adoptions. Learn more about the adoption tax credit here.
GWCA/CAN wants our families to feel comfortable and happy adopting. You can make a difference and reach out to your representative about extending the adoption tax credit! Find your representative here. Also, check out this statement backed by two Congress people.
I hope to see this tax credit go through for our families….that would be wonderful!
Sincerely
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
From the Desk of Lizzie: September 7, 2012
TGIF!
I speak with families about all possible adoption options, and many single-parent families call to ask which countries will allow them to adopt. Single-parent families have many adoption options with GWCA/CAN! Single women interested in non-special needs, special needs, siblings and older children are eligible to adopt from these countries: Domestic, Bulgaria, China, DRC, Haiti, Honduras, Latvia, Moldova, Peru, Poland, the Philippines, and Russia!! Single men interested in non-special needs, special needs, siblings and older children are eligible to adopt from Domestic, Bulgaria, DRC, Latvia, Peru, and the Philippines!!
If single-parent families are interested in adopting younger non-special needs children, great countries to look into are Domestic, Bulgaria, and DRC. These are all unique programs and have children waiting for loving homes. Some of these programs even have waiting child profiles, so you can begin learning more about the current children available. China, Haiti, Latvia, Peru, and the Philippines have waiting child profiles that you can view here. You can also begin chatting with one of our waiting child case managers about the children you are viewing, so feel free to call us today: 512-323-9595 x3091
It is so exciting to think we can provide so many options for our families and place so many children…all around the world!
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
From the Desk of Lizzie: September 5, 2012
Hi families,
I hope everyone had an enjoyable long weekend! Did anyone take a mini-vacation? GWCA/CAN is receiving so many back-to-school pictures through Facebook…all of them make my day. I love thinking about these kiddos reuniting with their friends after a long summer.
Your families have an opportunity to reunite in September, too! On September 29th, GWCA/CAN is hosting a Family Reunion at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas (just outside of Houston)! Past, present, and prospective GWCA/CAN families can mix and mingle about their adoption journey and discuss what their families are doing now. It is going to be so much fun to see our families reunite and enjoy Moody Gardens. I can’t wait! If you haven’t signed up yet, you can learn more and sign up here.
See you there!
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
From the Desk of Lizzie: August 31, 2012
Happy Friday and Happy Labor Day Weekend!
I hope everyone has exciting plans for Labor Day Weekend. I know many of our GWCA/CAN staff will be spending time with family. If you are doing something fun, feel free to share your special moments with us!
This week, I have met with quite a few families, and there are a few key questions I ask as they begin their adoption journey. One question is, “Have you ever considered a child with special needs?” Some families know the answer to this question right away because they have been thinking about adoption for a while. Most families are truly at the beginning of their research, and they wonder what exactly ‘special needs’ means in the adoption world. Depending on what country you are interested in, special needs can vary…and so can the referral times (typically, special needs programs have shorter referral wait times).
GWCA/CAN has adoption consultants (me!) and case managers that would love to help you determine if a special needs kiddo could be a good fit for your family. We can even go through all the different types of special needs, resources, program specifics, and timelines. If you want start reviewing a medical glossary, you can also do so here.
Happy Labor Day,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant
From the Desk of Lizzie: August 29, 2012
Hello GWCA/CAN Families,
This summer, our families sent pictures of their children enjoying summer! It was so cute to see little ones learning how to swim and run around on the beach! The families I chat with are just beginning their adoption journey, and I know they enjoyed their summer vacations as well. As September begins, they want to begin their adoption journey and realize how much of an investment it is.
Adoption is definitely an investment: time, emotion, and money. But well worth every bit of the investment! Part of my job is to help families find a way to begin this journey, financially. There are many ways families can get financial assistance with their adoption. Have you ever looked into your benefits at work to see what they offer? What about your local bank or place of worship for adoption grants and loans? Here is a link for financial assistance.
If you want to know more about adoption grants possibly available to your family, contact me today. I am always happy to assist your family.
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant