Safe Families in the news: Chicago Sun-Times Article 1/21/2010

State opens arms to evacuees from Haiti
HAITI RELIEF Groups line up homes, hospitals for kids

January 21, 2010
BY MICHAEL SNEED Sun-Times Columnist


Sneed hears the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is already in the process of lining up private homes and hospitals to prepare for Haiti's injured, lost or orphaned children.
The evacuees are expected to arrive from Port-au-Prince via 30 United Airlines relief flights. "We are just trying to line up the flight slots now," said a United source.

A plane carrying Haitian evacuees arrived via United Airlines Flight 9902 at O'Hare Airport on Wednesday night. Gov. Quinn, who met the plane, told Sneed: "There is a French expression in the Haitian language we need to take to heart. It means, 'We shall go to the end!'"
"It's really what we in the state and the country need to do to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. And we shall."

The children were expected to be taken to a shelter and/or hospital Wednesday night after the plane arrived, to determine their medical needs. Sneed is told a planeload of orphaned children from Haiti who landed in Pittsburgh this week were in serious need of immediate medical care.
"Some had tuberculosis, head lice and other diseases ... besides injuries from the earthquake," said a source. "Medical attention for Haitian children arriving in Chicago will be met first before being taken to caring homes."

Sneed also has learned DCFS set plans in motion late Tuesday to accommodate 50 Haitian children. An organization called Safe Families for Children, described as "a group of compassionate Christians who open their homes to children from families in crisis -- before children are taken into state custody," was contacted by DCFS.

Founded in 2002 by Dr. David Anderson, executive director of LYDIA, a Christian social service agency in Chicago, the organization was created in the wake of a deadly summer for children who died at the hand of a parent. "It is intended to provide extended child care for families in crisis," a source said.

Approximately 20 families who attend Willow Creek's North Shore church and are part of Safe Families for Children immediately volunteered to care for the children. "We have been told to prepare, but as of now, we don't know what the ages of the children we will be caring for are.
"We may be in a holding pattern ... but we're ready."

How wonderful. How amazing.

Haitian Orphans as Refugees to the U.S.

Below is a breaking news update from the Christian Alliance for Orphans.

The U.S. government is giving serious consideration to allowing a large number of Haitian orphans to enter the U.S.—essentially as refugees under special humanitarian provisions. Whether these children could enter permanent families through adoption in the short term is unclear. However, it appears likely that the primary entry point for them to the U.S. would be South Florida. Alliance member organization 4KIDS of South Florida has been contacted by Florida’s Department of Children & Families (DCF) with questions about 4KIDS’ capacity to aid with both direct care and connections to additional care options nationwide. 4KIDS informed DCF that they stood ready not only with their own network of churches in South Florida, but also to activate a vast network of churches committed to caring for orphans nationwide through the Alliance. If the Federal and state governments decide to move forward with this plan, we’ll be asking you to join this work in every way possible.

Haitian Adoption Status

Parents that have been in the process of adopting from Haiti are distraught at prospects that their adoptive children could be kept from them indefinitely as a result of the destruction of government records and systems and the loss of key documents, as well the deaths of key government officials. Meanwhile, a large number of American families are indicating their willingness to adopt newly-orphaned children.

The current focus of most organizations at present needs to be addressing immediate issues—medicine, water, food, shelter and other necessities. Even beyond the immediate crisis, it is unlikely avenues for new adoptions will open in the near term. However, officials in the U.S. State Department have begun looking seriously at alternative ways for families already in the adoption process to complete their adoptions as quickly as possible. (See their most recent public posting at http://adoption.state.gov/news/haiti.html).

The details of what alternatives will look like have not yet been revealed, and adoptive families should not yet raise expectations of immediate processing. What we do know is that in-process adoptions are the first-wave priority, and the State Department has committed to working to secure adoption visas (IR 3 and 4s) whenever possible as quickly as they are able. In addition, some members of Congress and advocacy organizations are urging the State Department to allow what called “humanitarian parole” for children who have been referred, which would allow the child to travel to the U.S. without a visa.

In the coming days, we anticipate an announcement from the State Department with greater details on visa and/or “humanitarian parole” options. In the meantime, per the U.S. State Department: U.S. citizens with pending adoption cases in Haiti are requested to contact the Department of State at askci@state.gov for information about their adoption case. In your inquiry, please include in the subject line, Haitian adoption Information. The inquiry should include the full name and contact information (including e-mail address) of parents, full name(s) of child(ren), date(s) of birth of child(ren) (if possible), a brief summary of the status of the case, and the name and contact information for the orphanage, and the file and/or case number.

Source: LifeSong for Orphans

Free Orphan/Adoption Conference in Bloomington/Normal, IL

The Connecting Hearts with the Forgotten Adoption and Orphan Awareness Conference exists to help people capture the heart of God for the fatherless among us and throughout the world. We encourage you to look visit www.connectinghearts.org to answer all your questions as you consider joining us!

The Connecting Hearts with the Forgotten team is committed to keeping this conference free of charge. Considering overwhelming adoption expenses and the vast need for orphan ministry, we are passionate about coming alongside the workers of the field to educate and equip at no cost to them!

February 20th, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Christ Church
1301 North Linden
Normal, IL 61761

If you are interested in going as a team with AV4HC, please contact Dina Ackermann at avoiceforhischildren@gmail.com.

The Dragon Sisterhood Resource

I've been made aware of a resource book for families with children adopted from China. It's called "The Dragon Sisterhood - A Guide to Chinese Adoptive Parenting in America". The author, Beckett Franklin Gray, is a parenting author and the director of the charible non-profit 503(c)(3) The Dragon Sisterhood, providing education based financial need scholarships to Chinese adoptees. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to fund the scholarships.

For more information on how to obtain the book and view their blog, visit http://dragonsisterhood.blogspot.com/

FaceBook Challenge for Half the Sky

Almost 10 years ago my husband and I adopted our first child from China. Throughout the years I've known about and supported the efforts of an organization called Half The Sky, started by a mom named Jenny Bowen. HTS has amazing programs that care for the needs of orphans in China. I'm continually amazed at how effective they are in their work, and how this organization has grown. For this reason, I'm asking all FaceBook junkies to step up to the challenge described below. For HTS to win this contest would be an amazing triumph in the lives of orphans throughout China. Please take a few moments to read the letter from Jenny Bowen and get involved. For more information on Half the Sky, visit their web site at www.halfthesky.org.

January, 2010

Dear Friends of Half the Sky,

If you haven’t heard it already, you’re about to hear some wonderful news.

Half the Sky has the great good fortune of being one in only 100 nonprofits competing for a $1 Million prize in the Facebook Chase Community Giving contest.

If we win, we will be able to do something we’ve only dreamed about. We will be able to transform the lives of ALL of China’s orphans within just a few short years.

I know it’s a long shot, but I just keep thinking of all of the people who pulled together and voted so that I could carry the Olympic Torch on behalf of China’s orphans.

And I think of all the people who pitched in to help Half the Sky provide relief and comfort to thousands of children whose lives were shattered by the Sichuan earthquake.

And I think of a kind supporter named Julie, who wrote to us during the holidays: “I would give you guys a million dollars if I had it. You are awesome and make such a difference to so many children. Thanks for all you do.”

And I’ve just got to believe that we might have a chance.

We need your help.

If you have a Facebook account, we need you to vote for our “Big Idea” January 15-22.

If you don’t have a Facebook account, we need you to start one – if only for a day or two.

Watch and forward our video and our Big Idea

Post our video and stories about Half the Sky on Facebook walls

Tweet the news

Become a fan of Chase Community Giving and

Vote January 15 – 22

When the vote starts on Friday, you’ll be hearing from me daily. It’s only a week.

And what a difference we can make if we win. Please tell your friends and your family and your co-workers and everybody you know who thinks all children deserve a chance. Tell the world.

A vote for Half the Sky is a vote for every forgotten child.

We can do it!!

with love and gratitude,

Jenny

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

I just found out this afternoon that today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. I think anyone would agree that this is an issue that deserves our attention. So many times we are appalled by offenses such as human trafficking, but wonder how God can use our everyday lives to be a voice for the mostly women and children caught in the web of this crime. Below is an invitation from Jackie Herron, Compassion & Justice Director at Willow Creek North Shore. I urge you to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to learn more and get involved so that we can advocate on behalf of these vulnerable women & children. Here's Jackie's message:

I'm inviting you to be a part of a special opportunity WCNS has to host a screening of Call + Response- a documentary film on Human Trafficking. I have seen it twice and it is amazing. It is both a concert and film all in one. We are also hosting the director, Justin Dillon as well. It will be incredible!! He is an amazing example of someone who found their Holy Discontent!

Our goal is to educate (call) and help create action (response) to the issue of Human Trafficking today. We also see this Justice issue as an easy way to introduce those far from God to Him!

We'd love to pack out the auditorium on Thursday evening, March 4th at 7pm with individuals willing to do something (if just learn) about trafficking. The issue is really starting to get press and I think it will be an easy way to engage people.

The screening is free for any who come.

We will have 3 ministries that will provide concrete next steps for people:

1. Trade as One (Economics/Fair Trade)
2. Salvation Army's STOP IT (A Chicago response)
3. Warm Blankets Orphan Care International (helping provide rescue, support and housing for vulnerable children (Globally)
4. Of course, Call+Response will have their activities that they do (which are great).

They will each have a booth and also will be highlighted in our next run of classes that start the following week. Nathan George, Elyse Dahlberg and Craig Muller will each teach a week on the class entitled: After the Film for people that want to go deeper on the issues. see link for details: https://classes.willowcreek.org/default.aspxpage=3258&profile=1953&eventid=1953&pageid=3374&sort=Date&pprofile=4

I'd love for you to be involved in bringing this film to the North Shore - even if it is using your networks to expose people to the film. You WILL NOT be disappointed by having anyone you know attend. By getting people here God and the film will do the rest. :)

If you can make a short informational/vision casting meeting of the film with take away communication tools available to you to promote to friends, family, schools, businesses, etc. We'd love to have you attend. Meeting is 5:45-6:15pm Thursday, January 14th in room 101 at the North Shore campus.

Let me know if you can help!

Jackie

jherron@willowcreek.org

The Willow Creek North Shore Campus is located at:

Christian Heritage Academy

315 Waukegan Road

Northfield, IL 60093

Below is an invitation from Gary Haugan, President and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM). I encourage you to prayerfully consider if God is calling you to be a part of this event. If so, please contact me so that a team can be formed.

Dina Ackermann
avoiceforhischildren@gmail.com

I would be delighted for you to join IJM at our Global Prayer Gathering, April 9 - 11, 2010 in the Washington, D.C. area. Together we will draw near to God in prayer and celebrate what he has done in the lives of those IJM has served. We will petition for the rescue of those who are still oppressed, and seek God's help for IJM's frontline workers.

Throughout the weekend, IJM’s international staff will share about recent casework victories for victims of violent oppression, as well as the joys and challenges of their field work. Lamont Hiebert - Ten Shekel Shirt and Sara Groves will lead us in worship.

We would be so grateful if you would join with us in celebration of God's presence and in prayer for God's power in 2010. As we have seen God work miracles after previous Prayer Gatherings, we know your prayers are vital to this work of justice.

To register online and for more information, please visit www.IJM.org/gpg.

I look forward to sharing in this powerful time of prayer, worship and fellowship with you.

Warmly,

Gary A. Haugen
President and CEO
International Justice Mission

Guatemala Adoptions Update

There has been a lot of activity and buzz on intercountry adoption in Guatemala over the past month. Virtually all of it was related to the announcement by the Guatemalan government of a pilot program for intercountry adoption. Much was written, blogged, tweeted and Facebooked about what is yet an ill-defined program with no transparent process and just as important, no timeline for implementation.

The Guatemalan government's announcement invited other governments to submit a letter of interest in participating in the pilot program. The U.S. Department of State, along with other Western governments, submitted a letter by the deadline in December. Many families, with hopes of providing a permanent home for a Guatemalan orphan, flooded Joint Council and other advocates seeking information and hoping for a positive reply.

For these families and more importantly, for those children living in Guatemalan orphanages, there is little hope.

Guatemala, having implemented the Hague Convention two years ago and having received considerable financial and technical assistance, remains out of compliance with the Hague Convention. As a result, the U.S. government, while hoping to participate in the pilot program, cannot approve any new Guatemalan adoptions nor issue a visa. If the pilot program was to begin tomorrow, no children would be adopted by a U.S. family.

For those children whose intercountry adoption was started over two years ago, before the 2008 Guatemalan Adoption Law took effect, most have found a permanent family. But many have not. They have been referred to a family, they have adoptive parents waiting and committed, but after two years of investigations, reviews and more investigations and reviews, they remain living outside of permanent parental care. They remain in foster care or in an institution. And they remain without a transparent process to finalize their adoption and to live in a family.

It is our understanding that despite universal claims of adoption corruption, the Guatemalan government, with one of the highest impunity rates and highest corruption rankings in the world, has yet to convict a single person of child trafficking. In 2007, UNICEF claimed that up to 80% of intercountry adoptions were corrupt. If true, that computes to over 3,200 claims of abuse, yet in 24 months not one adult is serving time in jail.

The disparities between the hundreds of children waiting over 26 months to finalize their adoption, the lack of child trafficking convictions, the non-compliance with the Hague Convention, the lack of progress in national adoption and family preservation and an announced intercountry adoption pilot program, calls into question how the best interest of children and families is being served.

The Guatemalan government's solution has not been to convict the guilty or to preserve families, but to subject innocent children to the proven detrimental affects of life outside a permanent family. With only seven government run orphanages, the vast majority of children live in private orphanages - many with depleting resources. The termination, rather than true reform, of intercountry adoption may have ended corruption and made for good PR, but it was not a solution in 2007 and it remains a travesty for thousands of children in 2010.

Despite the challenges, the lack of transparency and the suffering of children and families, many individuals, families, churches, organizations and governments remain committed to the children and families of Guatemala. Their efforts, along with Joint Council, continue to serve children and families in an ethical and legal fashion. We hope that the next Guatemala Update includes the fruits of those efforts...children living in families.

Source: Joint Council www.jointcouncil.org

Changes in Illinois Adoption Registry

Significant changes were made to the Illinois Adoption Registry on January 1, 2000 and January 1, 2006. These include the creation of a new Medical Information Exchange Program and expansion of eligible participants.

You may be interested in these changes if you are:

* an adopted or surrendered person age 21 or older.
* An adoptive parent of a minor child.
* A birth parent or birth sibling.
* A legal guardian of an adopted or surrendered person.
* A surviving brother or sister of a deceased birth parent.
* A surviving spouse or adult child of a deceased adopted/surrendered person.

Participation in the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange is voluntary. No identifying information is released without the express permission of all parties.

Additional information on the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange (including copies of all necessary forms) is available on the Illinois Dept. of Public Health's Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/adoption_faq.htm>, by telephone at 877-323-5299 (toll-free in Illinois) or 217-557-5160, or by mail at the address listed below:

IL Dept. of Public Health
IL Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange
Division of Vital Records
605 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62702-5097