Interactivity - Virtual and Face to face

This past Monday Chris Jacobs and I had the pleasure of presenting at the Child Welfare League of America's National Conference. What we were discussing is the appropriate use of interactive technologies such as this blog to address our mission. Here at the National Adoption Center we want to expand the adoption opportunities of children living in foster care throughout the United States, and is a resource to families and to agencies who seek the permanency of caring homes for children. This website and blog are one way we do that.

Last night many of our staff participated in another method of outreach. This was an event leading up to a match party we are holding in March. Teenagers are the focus of this match party. To prepare them for the event, and to assist them in general, we hold a series of pre-match-party events. At these events the youths can meet each other face to face, they are introduced to the facilitator of the match party and build social skills in activities he runs. Also, the entire group were were entertained by a Hip-Hop dance company, FaceLess.

Through each of the programs and services we offer, we keep our mission in mind. We truly belive in finding permanent solutions for the children and youths in the foster care system. We want to assist those people who want to adopt become educated and prepared to be great parents. Please share with us your ideas about new programs or services we can provide to assist us in our mission.

White House Conference for Children Bill

As an organization we have signed on in support of the Child Welfare League of America's effort to get a White House Conference on Children & Youth. Upon congressional approval, a conference would be held in 2010 at the White House re-establishing conferences that took place every ten years from 1910 to 1970. Typically there is one year of local, state and tribal events to gather input and momentum in advance of the conference. Participants would include state officials, court and legal representatives, providers, children, tribal representatives and other parties effected by or involved with the child welfare system.

Why are we supporting this conference? Because it covers solely child welfare, it would focus attention on issues from prevention, intervention to permanency including reunification, kinship care and adoption. The timing of the event, early in a new presidency, should get the candidates to address child welfare issues in their campaigns and to have these topics on their agendas early in their terms.

What can you do? First and foremost you can contact your Senators and Representatives in Congress and urge them to support this. Call 202/224-3121 to connect to Congress. Go to the CWLA's website for further information.