Vol. 14, No. 2 • May 2010
Message from the President of the NC Foster and Adoptive Parent Association
by Stacey Darbee
Spring is here! Didn’t it seem we had an extraordinarily long and cold winter this year? Now it’s time for our kids (and us) to get outside and get moving!
On April 23-25 NCFAPA held our 12th Annual Education Conference. Many thanks to all of our presenters and keynotes who so generously support the association with their time, dedication, and talents! I especially want to recognize the NCFAPA board members who work tirelessly during the conference and also for months before, preparing everything that goes into this affair. They also give generously, personally donating for the $500 cash auction and either personally donating or procuring donations for all of the door prizes and other auction items. Way to go NCFAPA Team!
Advocacy
Although NCFAPA is well known for our yearly conference, we believe that one of the most important aspects of our mission is strong advocacy for our children and families. We have been quite busy on that front recently.This year we are keeping an eye on Foster Parent Smoking Legislation. You probably received a survey request on this subject. NCFAPA has prepared a Position Statement that is available for viewing at www.ncfapa.org. We are advocating no new legislation on foster parents, although we do believe in health education on the risks of smoking and secondhand smoke.
Adoption Assistance Changes
We are also keeping informed about the new way Adoption Assistance is being implemented statewide. This went into effect in November 2009 and will affect future adoptions in North Carolina.These changes have no effect on adoptions that have been finalized. If you have adopted a child from foster care, your existing adoption contract is still valid.
The changes that will be most visible to adopting families will be to White (non-Hispanic) children under the age of six with no special needs requiring ongoing professional treatment or equipment and to children of a Minority Race or Ethnic Group under the age of two with no special needs requiring ongoing professional treatment or equipment. These children will not be eligible for Full Adoption Assistance upon Decree of Adoption. However, these children may be approved under the “Potential” category, which is for children who are determined, based on supporting documentation, to be at risk for developing special needs based on prenatal exposure to toxins, history of abuse or serious neglect, or genetic history. Being in the “Potential” category leaves open the possibility of future Full Adoption Assistance and gives the child Medicaid eligibility.
There are other changes in the process of being implemented. If you are adopting a child from foster care, we cannot stress enough how important it is that you apply for Adoption Assistance, whether you are told the child will be eligible or not, and that you continue special needs documentation after the adoption occurs. Also, ASK QUESTIONS and be fully informed about the agreement you sign.
We have received a number of inquiries from families that are interested in fostering or adopting Haitian Earthquake Orphans.
At this time, the first priority of government and disaster recovery officials is to address the immediate medical and physical needs of the people affected by the earthquake and assist in the reunion of family members who have been displaced or separated by the disaster. Therefore, it may take a long time before children affected by the disaster may be available for adoption.
The U.S. Department of State provides information on the adoption of children affected by natural disasters and conflict on their website at: <http://adoption.state.gov/news/Haiti.html>.
Corporal Punishment in Schools
NCFAPA has also been supportive of a resolution being introduced that calls on the NC State Board of Education for a ban of corporal punishment to all children with disabilities in NC schools.Join us on May 26th as we facilitate Legislative Awareness Day at the General Assembly! Visit www.ncfapa.org for more details.
Copyright � 2010 Jordan Institute for Families
