National Council For Adoption

06/05/2020

At NCFA, we focus on all aspects of adoption policy, practice, and outcomes, and the events of the past weeks have painfully reminded us that racism still exists in our country. These are realities that many adoptees, birth families, adoptive families, and adoption professionals deal with daily. NCFA condemns all forms of hatred and racism and supports the equal value and rights of every person regardless of skin color, race, or ethnicity. These are difficult times for our nation, and yet we are learning how to better listen, empathize, and make progress. This is no less true in the adoption community where we are encouraged to see many taking steps towards a better understanding of transracial adoption and the responsibilities of professionals, parents, and the community in supporting children and families who are part of a transracial adoption. NCFA believes there is more work to be done in better preparing parents for transracial adoption, elevating the voices of transracially adopted individuals, and in learning from those who have walked that journey well. We look forward to working alongside our members, affiliates, and partners, and the adoption community at large to do just that.

06/01/2020

We recently welcomed Special Angels Adoption - Advocates for Special Needs and Hopeful Beginnings of St. Mary's Services to NCFA membership! We're so glad you're part of this community.

Several NCFA member organizations are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2020 along with us, including Children's House International who is celebrating 45 years of serving children and families! Congratulations!

To learn more about NCFA membership, visit adoptioncouncil.org/adoption-professionals/join-ncfa

05/29/2020

"If parents have the tools to help their children heal, they can use this unique time to gather support around them to help build on their strengths."

Check out our final blog post for #nationalfostercaremonth, from guest contributor Elizabeth Occhipinti, co-founder of Miriam's Heart, Inc.

adoptioncouncil.org/blog/2020/05/becoming-the-greatest-generation

#nfcm2020
#aces #fostercare #tbri

05/28/2020

From "I always expected the worst so I wouldn’t be disappointed. I did everything to try to push them away" to "Walls broken down and then built back up with my new family inside with me. I felt safe for the first time."

Read more of this powerful story from a former foster youth and his mom on our blog today. http://adoptioncouncil.org/blog/2020/05/the-last-stop

#nationalfostercaremonth #nfcm2020 #fostercareadoption #fosteryouthvoices

05/27/2020

During the month of May each year, the country comes together to celebrate and recognize the approximately 430,000 children and youth living in foster care, as well as their foster parents, child-welfare workers, advocates and mentors.
Newly appointed Executive Director of Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Nancy Blackwell, writes about a unique program uplifting foster youth voices to effect policy change and child welfare practice, even amidst a pandemic.

http://adoptioncouncil.org/blog/2020/05/uplifting-youth-voices

#nfcm2020 #nationalfostercaremonth

05/27/2020

Thank you to AdoptMatch and AdoptConnect for your generous support that makes it possible for us to offer high quality, adoption specific training hours for professionals seeking to improve their practice in service of children and families.

AdoptMatch is a mobile app and website that connects expectant parents with hopeful adoptive families and ethical adoption professionals. adoptmatch.com

AdoptConnect is a digital platform that makes post-adoption communication between birth parents and adoptive families easier and more secure. adoptconnect.com

#adoptionconference #socialworkce

05/26/2020

Guest blogger Jennifer Vickers from Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption shares her firsthand account of the impact of COVID-19 on children in the foster care system and why the urgent need to find permanent homes for our children and youth in foster care is more important than ever.

http://adoptioncouncil.org/blog/2020/05/covid19-impacts-kids-in-foster-care

#fostercareadoption #fostercare #nationalfostercaremonth #nfcm2020

05/25/2020

Our office is closed today in recognition of Memorial Day. Our hearts are with all who are remembering and celebrating the life of a loved one lost in military service.

05/22/2020

In our 40 year history, NCFA has consistently promoted sound foster care adoption policies and practices, and has focused on improving public understanding of and attitudes toward foster care adoption. We worked closely with Congress and past Administrations to advocate for the passage of landmark legislation including Multi-Ethnic Placement Act of 1994, The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003, and Fostering Connections to Success Act of 2008.

You can join us in future advocacy and making your voice heard on behalf of foster children and families. Click here and sign up to stay connected! https://adoptioncouncil.wufoo.com/forms/z17n4z4q1q391qv/

#ncfa40
#flashbackfriday
#nfcm2020

05/22/2020

Liz & Ashley's Adoption Story | Adoption from Foster Care | Ad Council

❤️❤️❤️ Now THIS is worth sharing!

"As a teen in foster care, Ashley wasn't looking for a perfect parent – just someone to be there for her. In this video, Ashley and her adoptive mom, Liz, talk about their experience getting to know each other and the milestones they look forward to sharing. There are approximately 125,000 children and teens in the U.S. foster care system that are waiting for adoptive families.

#nfcm2020 #familiesforall #nationalfostercaremonth #olderchildadoption

As a teen in foster care, Ashley wasn't looking for a perfect parent – just someone to be there for her. In this video, Ashley and her adoptive mom, Liz, tal...

05/20/2020

Thank you to Holt International for your generous support that makes it possible for us to offer high quality, adoption specific training hours for professionals seeking to improve their practice in service of children and families.

Holt International is a Christian organization committed to a world where every child has a loving and secure home. We help strengthen vulnerable families, care for orphans, and find adoptive families for kids. Visit holtinternational.org to learn more.

#adoptionconference #socialworkce

05/20/2020

Got questions? We've got answers!
Learn more about adopting from foster care at adoptioncouncil.org/families/foster-care

#nfcm2020
#nationalfostercaremonth

05/19/2020

Meet The Couple That Adopted 6 Foster Siblings: ‘These Are Our Babies’ | Megyn Kelly TODAY

Families can be knit together in unique and beautiful ways. Watch the story of how one couple, and six siblings, came together through foster care adoption. #nfcm2020 #fostercareadoption #specialneedsadoption

Ashley and Alo Moli turned to adoption after learning that they wouldn’t be able to have biological children. They decided to open up their home after learni...

05/18/2020

Can I adopt a child from another state's foster care system?

Learn about a NCFA member agency's innovative, and successful interstate adoption program, grounded in the core belief that a child is never too old to need a family.

"The barrier to a child being adopted should never be due to our own geographic limitations. Working across jurisdictions increases opportunities for waiting children as well as for waiting families."

http://adoptioncouncil.org/blog/2020/05/breaking-barriers-to-permanency-for-all-kids

@barkeradoptions

#nfcm2020 #nationalfostercaremonth #olderchildadoption

05/15/2020

#flashbackfriday to this 2018 Adoption Advocate written by foster mom Carrie Dahlin.

"By parenting foster children you can ease the pain of one of the most traumatic experiences of their lives and make the biggest difference in their future." Read more at http://adoptioncouncil.org/publications/2018/05/adoption-advocate-no-119

#nfcm2020

05/13/2020

Thank you to Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children for your generous support that makes it possible for us to offer high quality, adoption specific training hours for professionals seeking to improve their practice in service of children and families.

Spence-Chapin has been offering exceptional adoption services for over 100 years. Our mission is to help find loving families for children whatever their needs or circumstances, and provide counseling and support for all children and the families to whom they have been born or entrusted. Learn more at spence-chapin.org.

#adoptionconference #socialworkce

05/13/2020

Check out our latest blog post to get the answer to this, and other important questions about adoption and foster care.

http://adoptioncouncil.org/blog/2020/05/can-i-adopt-a-baby-from-foster-care

#nfcm2020 #nationalfostercaremonth #fostercareadoption

Holt International

05/12/2020

Tonya's Story (NC) 3 min.

"I feel happy and glad that I have a family that loves me as much as I love them." - Tonya, adopted at age 12. #nfcm2020 #fostercareadoption @DTFA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=JpghV8nhNCQ&feature=emb_logo

After spending six years in foster care, Tonya began to give up hope that she would ever be adopted. “I didn’t think that I would have a family or anyone who...

05/12/2020

Not only do we know her, we have the privilege of working alongside her! We're thrilled for our very own Megan Ritter Judt to be named to this prestigious list - a well deserved honor!

https://alexandrialivingmagazine.com/business/40-under-40-2020-chamber-alexandria-va/

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
#40under40
#Alexandria

05/11/2020

"In light of National Foster Care Awareness Month, it is important that we not only raise awareness of just the good or just the bad, but that we hold space and honor all the faces of foster care."

Listen in to the voice of former foster youth and current foster parent, Victoria Hope Petersen for a better understanding of the trauma that is often endured by children and youth in the foster care system, and the opportunity we have to better understand and acknowledge the depths of that pain.

http://adoptioncouncil.org/blog/2020/05/the-heartfelt-plea-of-a-former-foster-youth

#nfcm2020 #nationalfostercaremonth #traumainformedparenting #traumainformedcommunity #fosteryouthvoices

05/10/2020

Timeline Photos

05/09/2020

We meet like this on a regular basis now, but sending this message was one of the best reasons to gather this week. For every mom, from each of us. Thank you.
#everymom #expectantmoms #birthmoms #fostermoms
#adoptivemoms #waitingmoms #mothersday

05/08/2020

2020 Gerber baby is first adopted baby chosen for campaign

"We celebrate adoption in our family every single day," Courtney said. "The real hero in this story are Magnolia's birth parents. They chose her life, and they sent her on this incredible journey."

"If you could hear the joy in their voice of how proud they are of this little girl," Courtney said while holding back tears. "Together with them and our community and our family, we all this love this baby girl so much."

https://www.today.com/parents/2020-gerber-baby-first-adopted-baby-chosen-campaign-t181086

#domesticadoption #birthparents #adoption #gerberbaby #celebrateallmoms

The first adopted Gerber baby, who was announced on the 3rd hour of TODAY, shows that love makes a family.

05/08/2020

The report shows a decline of 26% from the previous year, and an 87% decline since 2004. The number of children finding permanent families through intercountry adoptions to the U.S. is now at the lowest point in 50 years. ​

"In light of yet another year of tragic decline, NCFA believes we cannot wait any longer for swift action to halt this decline and implement solutions that work to safely and ethically bring more waiting children into permanent, nurturing, prepared families as soon as possible."

http://adoptioncouncil.org/blog/2020/05/ncfa-responds-to-state-dept-report-on-adoption

#intercountryadoption

05/07/2020

Why now might be the best time to adopt or foster a child

"Bre was in foster care for 1,236 days and in 10 different homes, next week celebrate the fact the Bre has been adopted and with her forever family longer than she was in foster care.”

https://www.wsfa.com/2020/04/11/why-now-might-be-best-time-adopt-or-foster-child/

#adoptionisntcancelled #nfcm2020 #fostercareadoption

Advocates in Alabama say COVID-19 has put some children in immediate need of a home.

05/07/2020

We've got #tbt and #nfcm2020 all in one for you today!
Last November, at the Adoption Hall of Fame event, NCFA presented the Excellence in Adoption Media award to FOSTER - an original documentary from Oscar-winning filmmakers Deborah Oppenheimer (pictured below with Mrs. Beavers, one of the primary subjects of the film) and Mark Jonathan Harris. We are excited to join with the team at FOSTER to spread the word that the film is now available on @HBO, @AppleTV, @PrimeVideo & other digital platforms!

FOSTER takes an unprecedented look at an often-misunderstood world and upends some of the most enduring myths about foster care and those involved in the system.
Learn more at thefosterfilm.com
#fosterdoc

The Adoption Hall of Fame Awards have been given annually since 1987 in recognition of outstanding commitment, service, and sacrifice for the cause of adoption by an individual or organization who has positively impacted the practice of adoption. http://adoptioncouncil.org/awards

#ncfa40 #nationalfostercaremonth

05/06/2020

Thank you to Commerce Bank for your generous support that makes it possible for us to offer high quality, adoption specific training hours for professionals seeking to improve their practice in service of children and families.

Learn more about all that Commerce Bank and Payments has to offer nonprofits and other industries. https://www.commercebank.com/business/cards/prepaid-expense-card

05/06/2020

Meet Our Speakers! | National Adoption Conference

Especially relevant for foster and adoptive parents, this article from Center for Adoption Support and Education provides guidance and tips for supporting children who've experienced loss and grief, during this pandemic.https://adoptionsupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Parenting-Children-While-Navigating-Coronavirus.pdf

C.A.S.E. Co-founder and CEO, Debbie Riley, is one of the presenters at our upcoming National Adoption Conference - an online opportunity offering up to eight hours of adoption specific training for CE credit. Learn more about all the speakers, sessions and registration at ncfaconference.org/speakers

#socialworkce #continuingeducation #onlineadoptiontraining #adoptionconference

Join National Council For Adoption and a network of adoption professionals from across the nation as we unite to better serve children and families.

05/05/2020

Let's come together to #dogood and #bekind to some of the most vulnerable among us. Safe, permanent families are needed now and you can help us spread the word faster and farther by creating your own quick and easy #givingtuesdaynow fundraiser to support NCFA right here on Facebook!

You can start a regular post and click the "Support Nonprofit" button at the bottom, OR visit the Fundraisers tool on the left-hand sidebar of the main page. Share with friends why adoption matters to you – and feel free to tell your own story or share a family photo. Set a personal fundraising goal for the day, week, or month, and your post is done.

Thank you for helping us help them!

#givingtuesdaynow #familiesforall #supportnonprofits #fostercareadoption #ncfa40

05/04/2020

GivingTuesday

We're looking forward to being part of #givingtuesdaynow tomorrow! Will you join us? Now more than ever, we know how vital it is for children to be in safe, loving, permanent families.

You can start a regular post and click the "Support Nonprofit" button at the bottom, OR visit the Fundraisers tool on the left-hand sidebar of the main page. Share with friends why adoption matters to you – and feel free to tell your own story or share a family photo. Set a personal fundraising goal for the day, week, or month, and your post is done.

On behalf of the children and families supported by our work, thank you!

Tomorrow is the big day! As we watch the movement grow across the globe, we can't wait to celebrate generosity, compassion, and all of the ways you are giving back! #GivingTuesdayNow

05/04/2020

May is National Foster Care Month! #nfcm2020
Join us in raising awareness about Foster Care Adoption and the more than 100,000 kids in the U.S. foster care system who are waiting for a permanent, nurturing family.

#fostercareadoption #nationalfostercaremonth #fostercare
#afamilyforeverychild

05/01/2020

#flashbackfriday as we celebrate one of the longest standing staff members at NCFA, our Director of Development, Lauren Koch. Thank you for everything you have done over the years in dedicated service to children, families, and adoption!