Connect with Gladney families through Facebook!

Did you know that families who have adopted through Gladney's Guang Ming (Asia Waiting Child) programs have a place to connect with each other on Facebook?  The group was created by a Gladney Mom who was looking for a place to find encouragement and support with other Gladney parents. The Guang Ming Facebook group has been a great way for families to ask each other questions, connect with families in their area and find out about Gladney events in a positive atmosphere!  

Search Gladney's GuangMing Families on Facebook to join the group.  

Please note, due to the nature of the group and the desire among parents for a certain level of privacy when sharing about their children, the group is available only for Gladney families.

"Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?"

           - Golde, Fiddler on the Roof

From Father
Daughter
dance to...

Junior Prom

As our June newsletter came together and various graduation pictures were gathered, I was reminded again and again that our children are becoming young adults. As parents, we watch in amazement as each child grows into his or her own personality, and develops the skills that will take them wherever they choose to go. Of course, this growth does not always unfold easily or gracefully, with many battles and sleepless nights along the way - naturally, the reason behind the sleep deprivation changes throughout our kids' stages as well!  Investing in the life of a child - any child, whether age 2 or 20; girl or boy - is a gift that we give to the world. We pay it forward to the next generation for all the gifts we were given as children that have developed into the strengths that we have today.

I often remember what one prospective adoptive father once told me, "I would like to give to my adopted child the gift of a family that they can take for granted".

May we all play a part in bringing that gift to the world's children!

- Wendy  Stanley  

JCICS Conference

 Frank Garrott answering questions after his speech

As always, Joint Council's 37th Annual Child Welfare Symposium was a great time of connecting with other adoption professionals and participating in educational sessions.  The speakers were thought-provoking and engaging and I came away from the sessions feeling like I had learned something important.

Martha Osborne

For me, the highlight of the conference was hearing Martha Osborne speak about the advocacy she does for children through her website, rainbowkids.com. Martha is very likely the most well-known advocate for children with special needs who are waiting to be adopted.  I was blown away by how long she has carried this passion and what she has done to help children find families! Martha is committed to working with agencies to advocate for these special children and I am excited for Gladney and Rainbow Kids to continue to partner together to become a bigger voice for children who desperately need forever families!                                                                              
- April Uduhiri

 

CCCWA's Database Updated

CCCWA just completed the update of their online database system.  This database houses the "shared list", along with information about matched families' cases.  At the Joint Council conference, we had a chance to get a sneak peek at the new system.  The upgraded database looks similar to the former system, but it appears more organized and seems to have more features which should be an improvement for the China program.

In order to facilitate this process, CCCWA shut down the old database on Friday, May 24th and the new system was up and running as of June 1st. We are excited to be using this new and improved system!

Recently in China Adoption News

• CCCWA has matched families with LIDs through October 26, 2006.
• CCCWA has reviewed dossiers with LIDs through October 31, 2012.
• CCCWA has issued referrals for one Gladney family in May!
• CCCWA has issued 2 Travel Approvals for Gladney families in May! 

Welcome home to the FIVE families who traveled last month to pick up their children!

Mia with Mama and Baba Johnson

Mimzie and Craig welcome Elaina into their family!

The newest member of the Locklear family, Olivia!

The Record family is all smiles with new daughter Elin!

 

Big sister Delany and big brother Ronan wecomed home Keegan who was adopted through Gladney's China standard program.

JCICS 37th Annual Child Welfare Symposium

As always, Joint Council’s (JCICS) 37th Annual Child Welfare Symposium was a great time of connecting with other adoption professionals and participating in educational sessions.  The speakers were thought-provoking and engaging and I came away from the sessions feeling like I had learned something important.

Martha Osborne

For me, the highlight of the conference was hearing Martha Osborne speak about the advocacy she does for children through her website, Rainbowkids (rainbowkids.com)  Martha is very likely, the most well-known advocate for children with special needs who are waiting to be adopted.  I was blown away by how long she has carried this passion and what she has done to help children find families!  Martha is committed to working with agencies to advocate for these special children and I am excited for Gladney and Rainbow Kids to continue to partner together to become a bigger voice for children who desperately need forever families!

April Uduhiri, Asia Program Case Worker

CCCWA Updating Online Database

I wanted to share with you all that CCCWA is planning to update their online database system.  This database houses the “shared list”, along with information about matched families’ cases.  

At the Joint Council conference Wednesday, I had a chance to get a sneak peek at the new system (shown in photo above).  The upgraded database looks similar to the former system, but it appears more organized and seems to have more features which should prove useful.  I think this will be a good improvement for the China program and hopefully the upgraded system will provide more technical stability during the monthly updates when a lot of matching happens!

In order to facilitate this process, CCCWA is shutting down the old database on Friday, May 24th and the new system should be up and running as of June 1st.  They have also informed us that they will not be accepting or processing dossiers during this time.  As far as I am aware, that is the only service that will be impacted during this transition.

It is my hope that taking a full week to close the old system and bring up the new database will facilitate a smooth transition.  We look forward to using the new and improved system!

April

Superkids is preparing to return to China next month!

The Superkids team will be visiting six orphanages in three provinces.  We will visit Shanghai Children's Home, four orphanages in the Jiangxi province and one orphanage in the Hunan province.  The team will evaluate children to assist them in finding adoptive families and work with children who may not be adopted so that we can improve their quality of life.  We will also train caregivers and rehabilitation staff to increase the skill of their therapeutic interactions with all children they care for.

Superkids Team Pat, Erin and Darla

As always, Gongzhan Wu, Gladney Vice President and Managing Director of the Asia Program, will lead the trip.  Superkids team members will include: Darla Wrage, MD, a pediatrician making her first therapeutic trip to China (read her bio on the Superkids blog); Erin Martin, waiting child advocate and Gladney Mom; and Pat Marcus, Physical Therapist. Superkids is thrilled with, and appreciative of, the dedication and commitment shown by its volunteers.

  

Please be sure to follow our progress on the Superkids blog and share in the preparation for the trip!

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) came about when Congress passed a resolution in 1978 to designate a week to celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. During APAHM, communities celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans with community festivals, government-sponsored activities and educational activities for students. Google Asian Pacific American Heritage Month or APAHM to learn more!

JCICS Conference May 20 - 22, 2013

Gladney’s New York Office staff will be attending 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.

Mary Chapman, Asia Programs Caseworker is enthused about attending the conference, “I am excited to meet with Martha Osborn, the founder of Rainbow Kids, as we’ve worked together over the last couple of years advocating for waiting children.  She always has great ideas about how to get the word out about the precious kids that are waiting for families!”

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/.

Gladney GFA Picnics and Events

GFA sponsored picnics, pool parties, ball game outings and more will be taking place over the next few months throughout the country to bring families together to enjoy each other's company and the beautiful weather!

Check the GFA Network's Event Calendar to learn what is happening in your area!

Stuck Screening in New York City - Inspiring!

On Thursday evening, May 9, members of Gladney’s Asia Program Staff and Gladney families and friends from the Tri-state area attended the screening of the documentary Stuck at the Chelsea Theater in New York City.  This moving film created by Both Ends Burning founder Craig Juntunen, is intended to inspire viewers to become involved in the social movement that will ultimately put pressure on U.S. officials to force a more supportive attitude toward International Adoption.

The ambitious 62 city bus tour in 80 days will culminate next week with a Step Forward for Orphans march in Washington, DC on Friday, May 17 at 1pm.  Click here to learn more about the Stuck initiative and the upcoming march.

Recently in China adoption news:

• CCCWA has matched families with LIDs through October 26, 2006.
• CCCWA has reviewed dossiers with LIDs through October 31, 2012.
• CCCWA has issued referrals for two Gladney families in April!
• CCCWA has issued 5 Travel Approvals for Gladney families in April!

 Gladney's Guang Ming Program 光明

Advocating for Children Who Wait  

Don't worry if you missed our special presentation in April about Gladney's China program, the recording is available on our Asia Waiting Child blog (click here).  Thank you to Juliette Howard who shared her family's personal experience of adopting their 6 year old son and how they have been adjusting and growing during his first 6 months home.

The Howard bunch!

During the webinar, Pat Marcus, Physical Therapist, shared about the work Superkids is doing and talked about several children who are currently available for adoption from Hunan Province.

Gladney hosts a monthly webinar about the process of adopting through Gladney and available waiting children in the China Guang Ming program - register here for the next monthly webinar on May 8th at 1pm EST.

Gladney Guang Ming Facebook Group

Did you know that families who have adopted through Gladney's Guang Ming (Asia Waiting Child) program have a place to connect with each other on Facebook?  The group was created by a Gladney Mom who was looking for a place to find encouragement and support with other Gladney parents. The Guang Ming Facebook group has been a great way for families to ask each other questions, connect with families in their area and find out about Gladney events in a positive atmosphere!  Search Gladney's Guang Ming Families on Facebook to join the group.  Please note, due to the nature of the group and the desire among parents for a certain level of privacy when sharing about their children, the group is available only for Gladney families.

China Waiting Child Webinar - Wed. May 8th

Each month Gladney hosts an Asia Waiting Child Webinar. Our next webinar is Wed., May 8th 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.

Top 10 Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew

Live Webinar Details

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

7:00PM Central 

Q&A: 8:00PM

Adopted people and adoptive parents don’t always look at adoption the same way. Many of the issues adoptees struggle with may be difficult for parents to understand and come to terms with. And it’s ever changing. A parent’s and a child’s adoption experiences change over time, based on life events, ability to understand the circumstances, and new facts as they become available or are discovered.

Understanding your child’s feelings about adoption is essential, so how do you gain some insight?

We’ve gathered a panel of adopted people, to discuss:

• What they wish their parents had known
• Their feelings about loss, shame and anger and their love for their parents
• What feelings they shared with their parents and what they kept to themselves

Register now

Co-Sponsors

Jiangxi Province, Shanghai & Suzhou July 28 - August 6, 2013

Jiangxi Province is excited and honored to participate in sponsoring a heritage tour this summer from July 28 through August 6, 2013.  The tour, which will start in Shanghai and finish in Nanchang, is 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, it is possible to add time at the beginning or end to allow for orphanage visits or to see other sites in China.

  

All Chinese adoptees are eligible for in-China financial support from China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, through CCCWA. Amounts will be determined based upon individual family participation. The subsidies are available for a limited number of families -- please apply early, to be considered for this financial support. For a detailed itinerary and applications, please visit the Gladney Asia website  www.gladneyasia.org.

STUCK, the Film

STUCK is a recently released documentary film, produced by Both Ends Burning, that uncovers the personal, real-life stories of children and parents navigating a rollercoaster of bureaucracy on their journeys through the international adoption system.  The film is an important part of the advocacy done by Both Ends Burning to address the "squeeze" being felt in the international adoption community that is preventing children from finding homes outside their countries of birth.

Frank Garrrott, Gladney's President, sends a passionate appeal to all Gladney families to see STUCK and encourages a huge Gladney turnout in every city where the film is being shown.

To learn more about the STUCK film, and tour itinerary click here.

Superkids Charity - A BIG part of Gladney's Asia Program

Superkids Charity, what is it and how did it begin? Pat Marcus describes how this amazing initiative got its start and how she became involved.

Pat with Edna Gladney at Shanghai Children's Home

"Superkids Charity was founded in 2006 by a Gladney mom, Janet Fink.  Janet wanted to give back to the orphanage that took such good care of her daughter. I have been an integral part of Superkids as the first professional to join the team. In direct collaboration with Gongzhan Wu, Vice President and Managing Director of Gladney's Asia Programs, we took our first trip to China in 2007. We have made nine trips to Asia since then. Our volunteers include physical therapists, speech therapists, and medical doctors.

The first orphanage we visited was the Shanghai Children's Home. We have now visited six provinces and assisted orphanages with many different objectives including increased focus on opportunities for gross motor skill development, and specialized attention to speech and feeding issues. We train caregivers and work with rehabilitation staff. During our visits we are able to evaluate children and provide information to waiting adoptive parents. Importantly, Superkids also provides care and comfort to children who may not find their forever families."

- Pat Marcus 

Click here to learn more about the Superkids Charity and read the blog.

Just in time for Mother's Day, a new book by Jane Aronson

"Carried in Our Hearts is an amazing account of the journey that Dr. Jane Aronson and countless families have taken toward shepherding children through the process of finding permanent and loving homes."
- Hugh Jackman, Gladney Dad

Dr. Jane Aronson, adoption physician and founder of Worldwide Orphans (WWO) Foundation has written a book called Carried in Our Hearts which captures uplifting adoption tales and highlights the importance of both connection and family. The book is an edited collection of stories written by parents who adopted from many countries; it features essays from many adoptive parents from China.

In a recent Glamour magazine article, comedian Amy Poehler interviews Jane Aronson, "the woman she is proudest to know" about this new book and the WWO Foundation.

The book has a publication date of May 12 (Mother's Day!). For all pre-orders made before April 18th, the publisher, Tarcher/Penguin will donate $1 to WWO. Pre-order yours today.

Chelsea Guffy, Law Student Volunteer

We are pleased to introduce Chelsea Guffy who currently attends law school and volunteers each week at the New York office. This summer, Chelsea will continue with Gladney in an internship position and receive academic credit.  As part of her summer experience, she is preparing to travel to China with Gladney staff.

"... adoption law is a subject that is barely covered in law school. On occasion, we read cases in law school that somehow loosely pertain to adoption, but the intricacies of adoption law are rarely discussed.  That's why I volunteer at Gladney. I help out a little bit and in return I get to see adoption at work and speak with adoption professionals, not to mention the joy I receive from the photos of smiling "Gladney babies" lining the walls. Gladney is a weekly reminder of why my education matters, a reminder which is of great importance to me."                                          - Chelsea Guffy

Click here to read Chelsea's full article which includes a synopsis of the New York Law School Adoption Conference which she recently attended with the Gladney Asia Staff.