Vol. 11, No. 1• November 2006

Honoring NC's Foster and Adoptive Parents and Their Partners

The NC Foster and Adoptive Parent Association’s 9th Annual Training Institute, Honoring Connections: The Key to Hidden Treasures, will be held April 20-22, 2007 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. At this event we want to celebrate the people who make a difference for children and families. We would especially like to honor those who have been innovative and progressive in seeking out and preserving connections (in many shapes and forms) to serve children and families.

Therefore we are asking you to submit nominations for a foster family, an adoptive family, and a human services provider or community partner in your region of the state who has made a difference for North Carolina’s children and families. We’re proud to provide you with this opportunity to honor and recognize these special individuals.

Please use the nomination form below to submit nominations to Joanne Scaturro via fax (919/733-9204) or e-mail ([email protected]) by January 31, 2007. A committee of the NCFAPA’s Board of Directors will review the nominations and award one foster family, one adoptive family, and one human services provider or community partner per region. Winners will receive an award and be honored at April’s training institute. Thank you for joining us in celebrating the efforts of people who care for our children and families.

2006 Honorees
The following are excerpts from the tributes written about the people who were recognized at the Association’s 2006 training institute.

Region 1
Carolyn and Keith Pettis (Foster Parents). Carolyn and Keith treat their foster children as they do their own children and always build on the child’s strengths. They have made a difference in every way possible to everybody on the team.

Mary Knight (Adoptive Parent). Mary embraces shared parenting and believes all children should remain connected to their birth families. She is truly a woman to be admired and applauded for her diligence in working on behalf of children and families.

Reehan Black (Community Person). Mr. Black serves our community as the owner of Youth/Adult Care Management where foster and adopted children in Cabarrus County and surrounding areas get the emotional care they need. He has helped us gather gifts for the children during the holidays and always makes sure children have what they need.

Region 2
Debbi Causey (Foster Parent). Debbi Causey not only serves as a GAL, but also has two birth children, three adopted children, and one teenage foster daughter in her home right now. She is a perfect example of how to show love and caring to everyone.

Steven G. Case (Adoptive Parent). Steve is doing an outstanding job raising—and home schooling—four children who have been traumatized. His ability to run a home that is serene and tidy and still make it to games and extracurricular activities is amazing. Steve is humble, friendly, and very much deserves to win foster and adoptive dad of the year!

Marsha Marshall (Human Service Provider). The foster care supervisor in Stokes County, Ms. Marshall is a true advocate and child welfare warrior. So many times, our workers do not receive recognition for their efforts, and we present our candidate as a truly outstanding individual: mother, social worker, advocate, supervisor, and implementer.

Region 3
Pamela and Julius Allen (Foster Family). As soon as the Allens became licensed they accepted a medically fragile child. At various times they have also parented two teenage boys, two teenage mothers, their babies, and several other children. I have never worked with a family that is so caring, loving, and flexible and that truly works toward whatever is in the child’s best interest.

Vicky Jordan (Adoptive Family). Vicky has been licensed with Montgomery County since September 2002. As a single parent, Vicky has lovingly fostered many children of different ages, sexes, and ethnic backgrounds. The child in whose life Vicky has made the biggest difference is now her adoptive daughter.

Marie Montague (Human Services Provider). Marie is the backbone of Child Placement Services at Durham County DSS and “knows how to make a way out of no way.” Without her the agency, the foster parents, and the children would not be the same.

Region 4
Lisa and Dan Parker (Foster Parents). In foster car since August 2001, J. was hostile to all caregivers. Then she was placed in the home of Dan and Lisa Parker, the first real family J. had ever known. Loving, patient people, Dan and Lisa provided a structured, supportive home for J. They demonstrated the power of unconditional love and made J. part of their family.

Deborah and Christopher Battle (Adoptive Family). My name is Terrence Battle and I want to nominate Deborah and Christopher Battle. I have been in their home since 2001 and this has been the best 5 years of my life. No one could ask for better parents.

Ezra and Thelesa Fauth (Community Persons). Ezra and Thelesa have made a difference in the lives of so many. They have fostered numerous children, provided respite for other foster parents, mentored biological and adoptive parents, and currently are providing a home for a 15-year-old foster child and her newborn son. Dare County is honored to have this family as foster parents and proudly nominate them for the difference they have made to North Carolina’s children and families.

Copyright � 2006 Jordan Institute for Families