CAN WE REFORM ADOPTION FIRST?

The Senate has passed a resolution supporting National Adoption Day and Month. This irks me because there needs to be so many changes in adoption first before we can promote the hell out of it. Can we at least give adoptees and their families access to their own records? Can we at least try to limit the money in adoption first? Can't we make the states more accountable for who they place in foster care? No what do we do? We not only throw more money at it but give its own special day and month. This industry earns billions upon billions of dollars. Go figure. Can't this money go towards helping mothers and children first?

When I checked out the link, I noticed something very interesting. The sponsors are of course Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Casey Family Foundation, and a few others. The biggest one is of course Freddie Mac. Hmm aren't they under investigation by the FBI for possible fraud issues in their finances? This is absolutely crazy.

Here is the story and the link.

Senate Passes Resolution Supporting National Adoption Month and Day

Last update: 11:33 a.m. EDT Sept. 24, 2008

WASHINGTON, Sept 24, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- On Monday, 37 Members of the United States Senate joined forces to pass a resolution supporting the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. Last Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a similar resolution.

National Adoption Day 2008 will be Saturday, November 15, 2008. Celebrated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, more than 300 events are held each year throughout the country to finalize the adoptions of children in foster care, and to celebrate all families who adopt.

Entering its ninth year, National Adoption Day includes courtroom hearings to finalize a projected 3,500 foster children's adoptions and other celebrations of adoptive families in communities in all 50 states across the United States. Over 21,000 foster care adoptions have been finalized as a result.

"National Adoption Day reminds us of the miracle of adoption and the ability we have to give children a permanent home," Sen. Landrieu said. "With more awareness about adoption, more children will have the opportunity to find a safe and loving family. Our government has a responsibility to be part of the process in helping to connect children with families that will protect them. I join with Senator Coleman in applauding the Senate's passage of this resolution and will continue to work with my colleagues to promote adoption."

"As a building block for healthy adulthood, the need for children to grow up in permanent, loving homes cannot be overstated," said Coleman. "That is why it is so important to take a day each year to celebrate, promote, and recognize the importance of adoption. Each year, National Adoption Day has generated tangible results, bringing thousands of children and families together to share their love and their lives. I've witnessed first-hand the positive impact of adoption on children's lives, through my work to help Minnesota families finalize adoptions, my visits to foreign orphanages, and my conversations with social workers and child advocates. I applaud the Senate for also recognizing the value of adoption by passing this resolution."

Sponsors of the Senate Resolution include Senators Landrieu, Coleman, Lincoln, Martinez, Johnson, Craig, Levin, Bayh, Boxer, Inhofe, Clinton, Burr, Bunning, Lautenberg, Smith, DeMint, Stabenow, Specter, Brownback, Collins, Roberts, Obama, Enzi, Lieberman, Vitter, Kerry, Domenici, Stevens, Thune, Dole, Coburn, Murray, Rockefeller, Inouye, Hutchison, Menendez and Salazar.

The text of the resolution is below:

SENATE RESOLUTION 675 - Expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging Americans to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children. (Senate, September 22, 2008)

Whereas there are approximately 510,000 children in the foster care system in the United States, approximately 129,000 of whom are waiting for families to adopt them;

Whereas 61 percent of the children in foster care are ages 10 or younger;

Whereas the average length of time a child spends in foster care is over 3 years;

Whereas, for many foster children, the wait for a loving family in which they are nurtured, comforted, and protected seems endless;

Whereas the number of youth who "age out" of foster care by reaching adulthood without being placed in a permanent home has continued to increase since 1998, and more than 26,000 foster youth age out every year;

Whereas every day loving and nurturing families are strengthened and expanded when committed and dedicated individuals make an important difference in the life of a child through adoption;

Whereas a 2007 survey conducted by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption demonstrated that though "Americans overwhelmingly support the concept of adoption, and in particular foster care adoption ... foster care adoptions have not increased significantly over the past five years";

Whereas, while 4 in 10 Americans have considered adoption, a majority of Americans have misperceptions about the process of adopting children from foster care and the children who are eligible for adoption;

Whereas 71 percent of those who have considered adoption consider adopting children from foster care above other forms of adoption;

Whereas 45 percent of Americans believe that children enter the foster care system because of juvenile delinquency, when in reality the vast majority of children who have entered the foster care system were victims of neglect, abandonment, or abuse;

Whereas 46 percent of Americans believe that foster care adoption is expensive, when in reality there is no substantial cost for adopting from foster care and financial support is available to adoptive parents after the adoption is finalized;

Whereas both National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month occur in November;

Whereas National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to find permanent, loving families for children in the foster care system;

Whereas, since the first National Adoption Day in 2000, more than 20,000 children have joined forever families during National Adoption Day;

Whereas, in 2007, adoptions were finalized for over 4,200 children through more than 260 National Adoption Day events in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico; and

Whereas the President traditionally issues an annual proclamation to declare November as National Adoption Month, and National Adoption Day is on November 15, 2008:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate and House support the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month; Recognize that every child should have a permanent and loving family; and Encourage the citizens of the United States to consider adoption during the month of November and all throughout the year.

For events taking place locally and foster care adoption info., visit www.nationaladoptionday.org .

SOURCE National Adoption Day Coalition

 http://www.nationaladoptionday.org