Presently, there are more than 125,000 children who await adoption in the United States. Approximately 3,000 children await adoption in Michigan.
November was designated “National Adoption Month” to raise awareness of the children, make clear their needs, and encourage ways people can support the youth who await adoption.
Due to the national emergency posed by COVID-19, many of the national events that would take place in Washington D.C. now are scheduled to be webcast virtually. The new format can help ensure everyone can attend the presentations and learn more about adoption and the professional resources available to support children and families on the adoption journey.
At the Children’s Bureau National Adoption Month event, you will hear industry experts as well as young adults speak about their experiences. This year’s theme, “Engage Youth: Listen and Learn,” highlights the importance of paying attention to what young people are saying – an opportunity to learn from them ways to support their path to permanency.
The Children’s Bureau NAM event also serves as a showcase for the new national adoption recruitment campaign PSAs. In addition, the program recognizes the 2020 Adoption Excellence Award Honorees.
The Children’s Bureau National Adoption Month event takes place Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020 from 1-2:30 p.m. EST.
Voice for Adoption started the Adoptive Family Portrait Project to celebrate and honor families from across the nation who have adopted a child from foster care.
Featuring photographs of families, the Adoptive Family Portrait Project also honors individuals, organizations, and members of the federal legislature who have been champions to the children and families affected by the foster care system.
The annual event also serves to educate members of Congress on the need to support and reform the foster care and adoption systems during National Adoption Month. To bring awareness of adoptive families, photos of families are paired with a U.S. Senator or Congress person for display in their offices during the coming year.
The Portrait Project is an initiative of the Voice for Adoption (of which Spaulding is a founding member) which works with members of congress, policy makers, partner organizations, and agencies to encourage sound policies that are in the best interest of our nations waiting foster children. You can also submit a family – including yours – for next year’s Portrait Project.
The Adoptive Family Portrait Project takes place on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, from 2-4 p.m. EST.
Adoption -- it’s at the core of our mission: In partnership with families, communities, organizations, states and the nation, Spaulding for Children’s mission is to assure that all children grow up in safe, permanent families and have the help they need to be successful in life.
More than 3,000 children in Michigan are waiting for permanent, loving homes to call their own. The Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) is an information and referral service for prospective adoptive parents interested in adopting children from the foster care system. MARE also serves as a resource for adoption workers looking for homes for these children. MARE has a listing of children who are awaiting adoption.
Native American Heritage Month, Indian Child Welfare Act
In November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, a commemoration of rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and the important contributions of Native peoples.
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the National Indian Child Welfare Association also celebrates the 42nd anniversary of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and its impact on American Indian and Alaska Native children and families.
On November 8, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed ICWA into law in response to the alarmingly high rates of American Indian and Alaska Native children removed from their homes and placed in foster care.
Prior to ICWA, studies revealed that large numbers of Native children were being separated from their parents, extended families, and communities. An estimated 25-35% of all Native children were removed from their homes and placed in foster care, and of these, 85% were placed in non-Native homes.
ICWA was established to ensure children and their families stay together. Today, Native children are still over-represented in state child welfare systems—sometimes at rates up to 12 times their proportion of the population.
ICWA is an expression of Tribal sovereignty and it contains many provisions. The best practice for children and families is to work to prevent the disproportionate number of children in out of home placement. Children are best served by preserving as many connections with their birth and extended family and community as possible. ICWA lessens trauma from unnecessary removal by requiring active efforts to support and keep families together.
Children and families in Southeast Michigan now can receive integrated health care services that can address the whole patient – both body and mind – at the Judson Center’s new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in Warren.
At the CCBHC, physicians and specialists in primary health care and behavioral health care work collaboratively as one coordinated team to treat the whole patient, reported Susan Salhaney, Chief Operating Officer, Judson Center.
“With the CCBHC, we can provide a continuum of comprehensive and integrated health care services, from behavioral health care and substance abuse treatment, to family medicine and primary care for children and adults,” Ms. Salhaney said. “The holistic approach helps the clinical team provided the needed attention for the whole patient under care.”
The CCBHC enables Judson Center to provide an expanded, comprehensive array of mental health and substance use disorder services to anyone - regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. Programs and services include Autism Connections, Behavioral Health, Child and Family, Disability Services, and Family Health.
The goal is not just to build a new clinical practice, but rather to become a vital resource for the community where individuals and families know they will receive the precise health care services they need, Ms. Salhaney said. The CCBHC is expected to treat more than 1,100 people in its first year.
The Judson Center CCBHC is located at 12200 13 Mile Road, #200, (just east of Hoover Road) in Warren, Michigan, 48093. The CCBHC is accepting new patients to the practice. Most types of medical insurance are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid. For more information, click here.
Established in 1924 as the Detroit Baptist Children’s Home, the Judson Center today is a non-profit multi-county human service agency that provides expert, comprehensive services to 10,000 children and adults each year. Serving the public from facilities in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne County, the Judson Center’s administrative offices are in Farmington Hills.
So We Can Help Others, Thanks to...
The Children's Foundation
Spaulding is grateful to The Children’s Foundation for a special COVID grant the agency received this fall. We received $10,000 to purchase household and personal care supplies for all our families in the foster care and prevention programs.
The pandemic and work interruptions have further taxed our families. With everyone at home doing work and schoolwork household necessities were hard to keep in stock. Staff have been delivering them to families and we are constantly receiving grateful responses.
“Oh, thank you so much. This really helps and I appreciate everything Spaulding does!” - Ms. Allen
“I wasn’t expecting to get supplies today! What a wonderful surprise!”- Mr. & Mrs. Adams
“I needed all the hygiene supplies for the girls! Spaulding is always taking care of their families!” Brooklynn took out the princess toothbrushes and had a big smile and said, “Thank you for the beautiful princess, I love it!” - Mr. & Mrs. Ramos
Family Fun
Trunk-and-Treat
The trick to being able to respond to change is – to pivot! And since March, we have learned to do just that -- over and over, again -- to serve our families.
Our first ever Drive Through Trunk and Treat was rescheduled due to weather and was held on Friday, Oct 30. Dozens of families enjoyed watching from their cars fun films on a large screen and of course everyone got lots of treats. We loved seeing the big smiles on the youngsters’ faces.
Thank you to all who donated and to all who volunteered.
Community of Caring
There's Still Time to Help Make Holidays Bright
Our Community of Caring – we need gifts for our children and gifts for our Drive Through Holiday Party.
Thank you to all who already have purchased gifts for our families. We would like to feature photos of and your gifts in next month’s newsletter. If you have a photo, please send it to us at social@spaulding.org.
Those looking to enjoy America’s Thanksgiving Parade can do so from home his year while keeping warm with a cup of hot chocolate. The parade will not have spectators and will air on WDIV-Local 4. The broadcast starts at 10 a.m. and is designed to capture the imaginations of millions watching from home. Radio station WOMC 104.3 FM will also broadcast special parade shows.
This year's parade is themed: “We Are One Together” to honor frontline workers and heroes of the COVID-19 crisis. America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner-White is recognized as the Best Holiday Parade by USA Today. For information, visit theparade.org.
Gather in Safety
This year many of us will make new plans to celebrate Thanksgiving- but that doesn’t mean they can’t be meaningful. Your gathering may be smaller. And you might be meeting outdoors. If not, your home should be well ventilated, and guests should be spaced out. All guests should verify they are well before attending.
For those not attending you can still bring them a meal, or phone them, or create a family Zoom celebration online. Make sure no one feels left out if they are unable to travel or be with you. This is especially important for the elderly in our community. This period of isolation has been particularly difficult on them. Call them! Mail a card or drop off a pie. You can even arrange for a driveway visit. Call ahead and let them know when you are arriving. Bring cheer and some treats and most of all - stay safe.
Kick off Holiday Shopping by Supporting Spaulding
Remember “Cyber Monday” is November 30. If you shop Amazon, please select Amazon Smile and click Spaulding for Children, Southfield MI, as your charity of choice. A portion of your purchase will go to support Spaulding.
Monthly Insights from
Our Board & Staff
Board Member DeAndre Lipscomb led a discussion regarding microaggressions at a recent staff meeting. Microaggressions are subtle verbal and nonverbal signals that can communicate hostile, negative and demeaning messages toward marginalized individuals or groups.
You can view the video Cristina Peixoto, President/CEO, shared with us to learn more on the subject. CLICK HERE or on the button below.
Over the coming 11 months, the 15-member cohort will learn about transformational leadership, practice, research, and policy, and take a closer look at disproportionality in child welfare. They will also complete an action research project that addresses a challenge they are facing in their local child welfare system. They will be supported by a mentor and receive coaching from experts in the field.
Congratulations to the 2021 fellows on their selection! Good luck!
Salute to Spaulding's Staff:
Nyiemah Twyman
For her efforts on behalf of a child and family, Ms. Nyiemah Twyman recently was recognized by Elizabeth Schiff Barash, Michigan Assistant Attorney General Children & Youth Services Division.
Ms. Twyman is a foster care worker who was working to find placement for a child who had been available for adoption for two years.
Ms. Twyman identified an interested family member, but they did not, at the time, have housing.
She arranged for visits at the agency until the relative was able to secure housing and subsequently was approved for placement and adoption.
Please keep us posted about news you'd like to share with our colleagues. We'd also like to know your thoughts about our newsletter. Email our Editor, Cheryl Gist: cgist@spaulding.org. Thank you!
