Brave Love

  

Recently, Gladney President, Frank Garrott posted in his blog an introduction to a video clip featuring Gladney China adoptive mom, Ellen Porter speaking about the organization she founded called Brave Love. Frank wrote: "It's about 5 minutes and Ellen does a wonderful job talking about the option of adoption and the bravery of birthmothers." To view the video of Ellen speaking on TV click here.

China Heritage Tour Featuring Jiangxi Province, Shanghai & Suzhou

July 28 - August 6, 2013

The Province of Jiangxi is jointly-sponsoring a wonderful heritage tour which will run July 28 through August 6, 2013, starting in Shanghai and finishing in Nanchang. Jiangxi is among the Provinces with the most adoptions; this tour was designed with Jiangxi children and their families in mind, as well as families with children from Shanghai, Jiangsu and other East China regions; however, it is open to all children adopted from China. In addition to the tour, there is also an option to add time at the beginning or end to allow for orphanage visits or to see other sites in China. Naturally, such additional trips involve extra cost.

Financial support for the in-China tour expenses for all Chinese adoptees who participate is available by China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs, through CCCWA. These subsidies are available for a limited number of families, so apply soon. Applications are welcome until all spaces are filled.

Highlights of the tour include a three day sightseeing tour in Shanghai and Suzhou, followed by visits to: Jiangxi Provincial Capital City of Nanchang; Jingdezhen, China’s centuries-old “Capital of Porcelain”; a visit to Longhu (Dragon and Tiger) Mountain, the birthplace of Taoism; and the amazing peaks, strange stones, famous trees and rare flowers of Sanqing Mountain. For a detailed itinerary and applications, please visit Gladney Asia www.gladney.org.

Tours for all families will be coordinated through Gladney China Heritage Tours, under the direction of Gongzhan Wu, Vice President and Managing Director of Gladney’s Asia Programs. In-China arrangements will be made by the Bridge of Love Adoption Service in Beijing. Gladney will help travelers gather the documentation required for in-China travel, visa application preparation and processing In addition, they will assist families who wish to extend their tour with a visit to Social Welfare Institutes or other sites in China.

If you have questions about the tour or the application process, please contact Gongzhan Wu at Gongzhan.wu@gladney.org or Lydia Macci at chinaheritagetours@gladney.org.

A Gladney Family's Chinese New Year Traditions

Gladney Mom, Stephanie Brueckel shared photos from this year's Chinese New Year celebration including cleaning the house before the New Year began, decorating with traditional New Year decor, and visiting daughter Kathryn's classroom.

 

Cleaning and Decorating in Preparation for New Year!

  

 Doing a Chinese New Year wordfind (from the Asia Newsletter!) and

gifts for the class - red envelopes with chocolate coins and pencils.

 

Kathryn learning about Chinese characters from her teacher.

Stuck Documentary on Tour

Both Ends Burning, a foundation which aims to lead the turnaround in the decline of international adoption, gave rise to the production of "Stuck", an award winning documentary about personal, real-life stories of children and parents navigating a rollercoaster of bureaucracy on their journeys through the international adoption system.

In a just released letter to all Gladney families and friends, Gladney's President Frank Garrott, is passionately spreading the word about the "Stuck Tour" that is coming to most of our GFA cities over the next 80 days! To read Frank's letter and for a copy of the Stuck Tour Itinerary click here.

Opportunity in the Midst of Change

Over the last few years, international adoption has changed dramatically. However, despite countries shutting down their programs and statistics showing a decline in the number of adoptions, it is important that people know there are still many viable programs available with beautiful children waiting to join their forever families! In fact, Gladney mom and Rainbow Kids founder Martha Osborne recently wrote a related article geared toward families who are wondering where they can adopt from in light of the recent international adoption "squeeze".

Gladney currently has seven international adoption programs, including three programs in the Asian countries of China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Program highlights for prospective families can be accessed here. Please contact Judy Hayes at judy.hayes@gladney.org with any questions regarding Gladney's International Programs.

Wuhan CWI Reunion Tour July 10 – 17; Space Still available - Applications Due March 29, 2013!

The Wuhan Child Welfare Institute (CWI) located in Hubei, China has announced a subsidized Reunion Tour open to all children adopted through their institute.  This unique opportunity for adopted children and their families will take place from July 10 through July 17, 2013 and includes sightseeing and cultural activities in Beijing and Wuhan.  Optional extended tours to Xi’an or Shanghai are also available from July 17 through July 20.

China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA) is granting, through CCCWA, a subsidy up to $800 in fund support depending on the paid participants in their travelling group toward the in-China Reunion Tour fee for all Wuhan adoptees attending the program 

This opportunity is open to all families with children adopted from Wuhan CWI regardless of agency or facilitator.

Tours for all families will be coordinated through Gladney China Heritage Tours, under the direction of Gongzhan Wu, Vice President and Managing Director of Gladney’s Asia Programs.  In-China arrangements will be made by the Bridge of Love Adoption Service (BLAS) in Beijing. Gladney will assist travelers with gathering the documentation required for in-China travel, the orphanage visit and visa processing. In addition, they will assist families who wish to extend their tour with the Optional Extended tour to Xi’an or Shanghai or plan other in-China travel.

If you have questions about the tour or the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Gongzhan Wu at Gongzhan.wu@gladney.org or Lydia Macci at chinaheritagetours@gladney.org.

China Waiting Child Webinar

Fang Fang is about to age out - he needs a
family ASAP!

Each month Gladney hosts an Asia Waiting Child Webinar. Our next webinar is Wed., March 13th at 1pm EST.

This informative webinar will focus on the process of adopting waiting children from China. The webinar will provide an overview of Gladney’s program as well as share photos of available children. You will get a detailed explanation of the Application and paperwork process involved with adopting internationally. Also, each month we will feature different children, with a variety of ages and special needs, who are available for adoption. At the end of each webinar we offer time for attendees to ask questions and will provide contact information for you to follow up with one of Gladney’s Asia Program Staff.

We hope you will be able to join us! Be sure to register! Feel free to pass this invitation along to friends and family members that may also be interested.

Two Free Webinars of Interest on March 12, 2013 1-2pm EST

Dyslexia: Diagnosis, Planning and Support for Struggling Readers

When students begin to experience challenges with reading and related learning issues, it is difficult for parents to understand what is going on and how to best support their children. Dr. Paul B. Yellin, Director of The Yellin Center for Mind, Brain, and Education is hosting a webinar to provide to provide:

- An explanation of what "dyslexia" is

- A look at the types of subtle learning variations that may be present when a student is struggling with reading, spelling, or other areas of learning

- Insight into the importance of understanding each learner's individual strengths when doing educational planning.

For more information and to register for this free one hour webinar click here.

Expert Q&A Webinar: Parenting after Older Child Adoption

Parents who adopt a child beyond infancy, whether from the U.S. foster system or internationally, may have questions and concerns about sleep, language and school, attachment, sibling relationships, physical development, and talking about the child's past. Join older-child adoption expert Regina M. Kupecky, LSW, to ask any questions you may have about the initial transition period and beyond.

For more information and to register for this free webinar 

Recently in China Adoption News

• CCCWA has matched families with LIDs through October 19, 2006.
• CCCWA has reviewed dossiers with LIDs through April 30, 2012.
• CCCWA has issued referrals for EIGHT families in February! Special congratulations to the two families who waited over 6 years to receive their referrals through the China Standard program!
• One Gladney family travelled to China to adoption their child in February!

Congratulations to the Hanson family!!

Paige with proud Mom and Dad!

Gladney's Guang Ming Program 光明

Advocating for Children Who Wait

Many children have found their families through Gladney's partnerships with orphanages in China. However, many children still wait for their chance to be adopted - they are ready to know the love and acceptance of a family of their own! Gladney advocates for these children in many ways, one of which is the photolist page on our blog where interested families can see the kids that are currently available for adoption. Email Judy Hayes at judy.hayes@gladney.org for the password, or ask your Gladney Asia caseworker.

Monthly webinars are another great way to learn more about the children that are waiting for families through the Guang Ming program, as well as specific information about the process of adopting through Gladney - register here for the next webinar on March 13th at 1pm EST.

The Adoption Tax Credit Instructions

The IRS has released the instructions for 2012 Form 8839. Form 8839 is necessary to file for the adoption tax credit, and the instructions contain a worksheet for taxpayers to calculate how much of the credit they will get with their 2012 taxes (with the rest of the credit carrying forward to future years). For the instructions click here.

JCICS Conference May 20 - 22, 2013

In May, the New York Office staff will attend the Joint Council's (JCICS) 37th Annual Child Welfare Symposium. They will join over 200 leading professionals, researchers, and advocates in the field of child welfare, orphan care and adoption to learn about and discuss topics relating to child welfare and adoption.

Over the course of three days, there will be numerous workshops to address the needs of children in Haiti, India, Ethiopia and China, as well as financial organizational empowerment, medical and nutritional issues, orphan care issues, and intercountry curricula. More information on these workshops can be found here.

For more information about JCICS, please visit www.jointcouncil.org/.