Adoption_Information

The opinions and statements made in this chat session belong to the individuals posting them and appear in unedited form to promote the free exchange of information. However, they may not represent the views and/or policies of the Georgia Center for Resources and Support.

Cathy: Welcome everyone to our chat on adoption recognition and resources.

Cathy: We would like to thank our guest Susan Dougherty, from the Casey National Center for Resource Family Support, for joining us

Cathy: Jane, we are expecting another guest. Would you like to wait a few more minutes before getting started, or allow Susan to tell us about her program?

chatadmin: Hi, Phyllis is having trouble getting on, so do not wait for her.

Susan: The CNC offers information to adoptive, foster, and kinship care parents.

Susan: We have a website with lots of information, and also answer questions people send us by email or phone.

Susan: We were created about 2 years ago. We're part of Casey Family Programs, which has been in existence for many years.

Kim: Hi Susan could you give us some examples of how you help adoptive families

Susan: We have useful information on our site, such as a Tax Benefits booklet that gives information about how to take advantage of Federal tax benefits

chatadmin: Do you help parents with individual problems, or more universal information like the tax information, or both?

Susan: People ask us questions on everything from how to adopt a child to how to handle difficult behaviors.

Amy Parks: Hi, Susan. What kind of resources are you able to give parents?

Susan: We are not experts on all the questions adoptive parents might have, but we're pretty good at figuring out who is, and connecting parents to those resources.

chatadmin: We sometimes get calls from families outside Georgia asking for books, therapists, ready to disrupt, etc. Would you be able to help them find what they need?

Susan: We have a lot of articles posted on our website on a wide range of issues, and we also provide related resources and links.

Amy Parks: Do you ever hook families up around the country with others in similar circumstances?

Susan: Chatadmin - we can often find resources like those to help people connect to throughout the country, or figure out where else they might ask.

Susan: Amy, we don't directly connect families, but we can direct you to databases and lists of support groups that can do that

chatadmin: Do you know how your program differs from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. I know they have extensive fact sheets. Phyllis is trying to get in now!

Susan: We are very similar to the NAIC, but we don't focus just on adoption.

Susan: Oh, yes. We have some wonderful fact sheets on our site that give kinship care information for every state.

Susan: We like to invite people to explore our site, and if they don't find what they are looking for, to email their question to cncinfo@casey.org

Susan: We address what we call "resource families," which is adoptive, foster, and kinship care families. We also target the child welfare professionals who work with them, in both public and private agencies.

chatadmin: What would be the thing you get most questions about? I am wondering what chat topics to plan for next year.

Susan: We get a great many questions from kinship families who are struggling to care for their children, so a lot of questions have to do with financial problems. Many adoptive families ask us about tax benefits, scholarships, and other types of financial questions

chatadmin: Maybe we will do a chat on finances of adoption. I had not thought of that!

Susan: NAIC is a great site, and we often direct people there. We don't try to answer every question ourselves, if we know someone else has the information available.

Susan: Chatadmin - I think that's a great idea. Many people would appreciate that, I'm sure!

chatadmin: We have just received a WONDERFUL new book from NACAC on "Starting and Nurturing Adoptive Parent Groups." This is Cathy's area of expertese.

Cathy: Susan, do the Professionals you all work with partner with you all to in any way to get information and resources to families?

Susan: We have a short page of links to sites that give information on support groups, as well. it's at http://www.casey.org/cnc/support_retention/adoption_support_groups.htm

chatadmin: Ree, you can find out what is going on by reading the Chat Log. Just click at the top of the page.

Cathy: Susan, can you elaborate on what the support group links consists of

Susan: It just provides links and contact information for some other more comprehensive sites - Pact, NAIC, NACAC, and Adoptive Families of America

andreas: Susan, are you able to direct families to specific needs, such as special equipment for handicapped children?

Susan: It's not our area of expertise, but we are very good at searching out information like that, and are happy to do the searches and direct people to organizations that can help them. We try to find resources that are local to the people asking for help as well as national organizations

chatadmin: Phyllis is at the CWLA conference in Fort Lauderdale and trying to access us from her hotel. Since she is not here, she asked me to fill in a bit about NAIC.

Ree: what kind of information is on the fact sheets? General information about NAIC or specific topics of interest?

chatadmin: Adoption and School Issues, Adoption and the Stages of Development, Parenting the Adopted Adolescent...

lisa s: chatadmin-I have used NAIC before for resource info. and it was a very informative.

chatadmin: Parenting the Sexually Abused Child, and Explaining Adoption to Your Child, Family and Friends.

chatadmin: (Fort Lauderdale sounds lovely, by the way, and she says it is a great conference!)

chatadmin: Susan, I think Cathy asked a bit ago about how you partner with professionals. ??

Susan: Oh, sorry, I missed that. We answer questions from agencies and workers who are looking for better ways to recruit and support resource families.

Susan: We are very interested in improving the ways agencies work with their families

Amy Parks: Recruiting families for foster care has gotten hard in my area b/c most of my friends want to adopt/not foster long term.

Cathy: Welcome, Roseyln. To catch up on our discussion you can click on "chat log" at the top of your screen.

Susan: Recruiting is hard everywhere. We are seeking ways to help agencies find families who are willing to foster, and also those who are willing to consider adoption if the child can't return home

Cathy: Susan, after being established for 2 years, are the inquiries consistant?

Susan: Right now we're working with teams from 26 public agencies from throughout the country on improving the ways they recruit and retain families.. It's called the Breakthrough Series Collaborative on Recruiting and Retaining Resource Families, and you can read about in on our website

Amy Parks: Susan, Do you work with mostly domestic adoptions or international too?

chatadmin: Georgia has a "First Placement Best Placement" program with the goal of fewer moves for kids.

Susan: Lisa, Casey Family Programs is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, but the CNC is located in Washington, DC

Cathy: That's really ecouraging for us, knowing that families are receiving help

Amy Parks: Susan, maybe you covered this already but how is the Casey Found. funded?

Susan: Amy, our focus is domestic - our primary concern is children in the foster care system who need temporary care and those who need permanent families.

Susan: Amy, Casey Family Programs is a private foundation that was started with money from the Casey family, who started the United Parcel Service.

lisa s: Susan, so you work more with foster families vs. families who have adopted?

Susan: Well, Lisa, we are as interested in supporting adoptive families as foster families. However, we don't do any work in areas like private or international adoptions

Cathy: For those just joining, welcome, you can catch up on our conversation by clicking "chat log" at the top of your screen

lisa s: Susan, I am not sure you can answer this...you mentioned the Found. is working with several agencies. Is there any state that seems to have a foster system in place that "works well" or is sucessful?

Amy Parks: Susan, I had not heard of your organization before tonight - how do you get the word out and how can I help?

Susan: Casey does not have any offices in Georgia. Most of our direct service with families is in states west of the Mississippi

chatadmin: As I understand a difference between Casey and NAIC, NAIC has a more information, and less program focused mission. That is, they have copies of grants, articles, etc.

Susan: Lisa, that's a huge question! We're working on ways to share the best and promising practices of many agencies with others so that those things that work well can be spread. That's what the Breakthrough Series is about

lyn:

Hi, I'm Lyn, Cathy's brother that is currently in the process of adopting and would like to know more about the program

chatadmin: I will look forward to reading more about the Breakthrough Series on your web site.

Susan: Amy - please visit our website and encourage your friends to do the same. We have a weekly electronic newsletter you can sign up for on the site. Just tell people about us, that would be great!

Susan: Chatadmin - NAIC probably has more types of documents on their site than we do, but we've got a fairly long list of publications, too, and they're listed on our Publications page

chatadmin: Lyn, glad you are with us. Susan's web site sounds very infomative. Hope you can use it.

Amy Parks: Susan, if someone like Lyn (above) wants to adopt, where do you send them to get started?

Ree:

This information has been really helpful and SUSAN you have done an outstanding job with answering all the questions....Thanks

Susan: Amy, we'll give them contact information in their state for the state adoption agency or adoption exchange, and we might also provide links to sites like NAIC's fact sheets to give them the basic facts about adoption. We also have fact sheets on adoption and foster care on our site

Ree:

thanks for all the great insight. i will definitely be visiting the website ..goodnight all

lyn: I have already told a lot of co-workers about the adoption process, but recently they have had some problems with our local DEFACS and now sound a little disouraged

chatadmin: Lyn, there are also many private agencies in Georgia who do all kinds of adoptions, many with State contracts to help DFCS.

lisa s:

Susan, thank you for the info. I look forward to checking out the website. Goodnight all.

Susan: Lyn, sometimes getting people who are feeling discouraged connected to a support group in their area is a good idea to help keep them motivated.

lyn: I did not know about the private agencies that are contracted with defacs

Cathy: Lyn, since you live in Ga, you can browse our website and get more information about the resources in your region!

Susan: Lyn, I would invite you to ask your specific questions through our email service, cncinfo@casey.org

Veda: Greetings All! I have come in late, but have enjoyed reviewing the log and getting in on the information provided. I did not know that the Casey foundation had expanded in this direction. We will definitely find this info. useful at The GA Ctr. Thanks for being on the online Chat.

chatadmin: Hi Phyllis, when you get a chance to read the chat log later you will see that I talked about NAIC. What is your web site. I am not sure I had it right.

roselyn: Hi'my name is roselyn and the answer to lyn question is that the private agenceies do not work with DEFAC.

karen: Hello, glad to have caught part of the chat. Interesting info on chat log

chatadmin: What is the area that you get the most questions about? I am trying to plan future chats.

Amy Parks: Actually, Roselyn, many private agencies place children for adoption from DFCS custody and some do foster care.

lyn: thank you roselyn for clearing that up for me, but are there agencies out there that do work with defacs in any form

phyllis: we get a lot of search questions from adoptees as well as questions about stats or research from professionals

karen: I think we have Bethany workers contracting w/ our local DFCS (region 7)

chatadmin: Yes, Lyn. Some do place DFCS children and do homestudies for DFCS. Call 1-877-210-KIDS for more information, or call us at 1-866-A-PARENT tomorrow.

phyllis: Many folks use our National Adoption Directory online - it has the support groups, adoption specialists & resources for each state - it's a great resource

roselyn: lyn call 229-859-2654 ask for jamie or roxanne,that is the agencies that my husband and I went to and they can help you.

Amy Parks: How do you manage to keep a national directory updated! Sounds like a huge challenge!

phyllis: yes it is...it was just recently updated (a summer job for an employee)...the pdf version will be updated every two weeks on line...& we're constantly getting new/current info

lyn: I will give that number to some of my friends. They are very eager to adopt and just don't know where to start

chatadmin: NAIC is a Federal project and well known, so many places would think to send them updates.

phyllis: One of our most requested fact sheets is: adoption: where do I start?

Amy Parks: I saw a good book in the book store too, Lyn, called something like everything you ever wanted to know about adopting, etc.

phyllis: We have an 800# & information specialists who can respond to specific requests for information...the number is: 1-888-251-0075

chatadmin: Phyllis and Susan, any resources you recommend for people who are searching?

Amy Parks: Lyn, your friends can also call some of the larger private agencies in GA and get their literature. Call the GA Center for names.

roselyn: lyn if your friends have any questions the can call me at 229-671-1450.

phyllis: The International Soundex Reunion - folks can register for free...call & we can give more Web sites & info...also in the National Adoption Directory search/support groups are listed for each state-

Susan: We have some links for searching at http://www.casey.org/cnc/policy_issues/sibling_use_reunion_registries.htm

chatadmin: We had a call from a sibling searching this week. Her missing sister was born out of state and placed in Georgia, and would be 19. Suggestions?

phyllis: on our Web site - under "Adoptees" section there are fact sheets about searching & information on search

Susan: I'd be happy to research this tomorrow and get back to you on it. It's not my area of expertise, so I don't want to give a quick answer that might be wrong

lyn: I might be able help locate that sibling if I can get some personal infroamtion on her, like name and date of birth

phyllis: Search should be initiated in the state where the adoption was finalized

phyllis: absolutely. On our Web site we also have Statutes at a Glance which outline the various laws across states...we have one regarding access to records...there're on the laws section of the Web site

Cathy: We want to invite all to join our chat next month where our topic will be, "Holidays and the Adoptive Family" on Tuesday Dec. 3 same time

lyn: Roselyn, Amy, thanks for the information and I will be telling my friends about this site also. Signing off for now, have to get ready for work

Cathy: Thank you all for coming, and also to our guest for providing such helpful information!

Veda: Yes, next month I will be moderating the CHAT. I look forward to all of you joining in. See you in December. Chat Admin. can you give the date? Thx.

phyllis: sorry I couldn't get in earlier. I need to get off this computer - bye!

chatadmin: Yes, Phyllis, we had guests and we are being recorded and will be on the site as a resource.

Veda: Cathy you did great. See ya tomorrow. I am at the Fairfield Inn of Marriott.

Adoption_Information_Resources

Thursday, the 7th of November 2002