http://www.adoptarkids.org Arkansas Area 8 Heart Gallery WebPress 12.04.2 http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/102 Most of you are aware of the fact that recruitment activities by the Adoption Coalitions have been halted until each coalition signs a new Memorandum of Understanding that satisfies Pat Page and the DCFS legal department. We are happy to tell you that on 5/15/08 Co-chairs, Sylvia Richards and Sharon Stallings, reached the attached agreement. (All parties have received signed copies.). We wish to point out some specifics of the agreement to save you time and confusion, as many versions have been discussed. We hope that you will understand the process through which we might quickly work together for the remainder of the grant period which ends September 30, 2008. After that time a new partnership must be negotiated. Mon, 26 May 2008 02:47:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/101 Jonesboro Occasions cover story Story by Susan O'Connor, Photos By Dero Sanford There are those whose hearts have extra room for incredible love and gifts. Dia Sawyer is one such individual. She is changing lives at every turn. As the Heart Gallery director for a nine-county area in Arkansas that includes Craighead County, Dia works to find permanent homes for children in the foster care system. To date, she has testified in court on behalf of 19 children, explaining to judges what the Heart Gallery is and can do for children who need homes. She is also the mother of five children, three biological and two adopted. The original Heart Gallery project was founded in New Mexico by Diane Granito in 2001. It is a moving photographic display intended to connect waiting children with their “forever families.” There are more than 100 Heart Galleries in 48 states. Dia designed the initial web site for this part of Arkansas in January 2007. It was the second gallery developed in the state. The location of the Heart Gallery rotates monthly around Northeast Arkansas. Currently, the photographs are on display at Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Wed, 14 May 2008 13:12:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/100 May 07, 2008 Schylar Canfield, Montana Schylar Canfield entered foster care in Montana at age six. He moved 14 times over the next 11 years, until he “aged out” of foster care at 18. Living on his own and working to support himself, Schylar graduated from high school and will graduate this spring from college. Now, at 24, Schylar is finally joining the permanent family he longed for while growing up. Schylar is being adopted by his former music teacher and mentor. He says simply, “I just want to be able to say I have a dad.” Thu, 08 May 2008 17:46:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/86 JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - You may never see their faces. Abused or neglected children taken from their parents. Parents sometimes caught up in drugs or trouble with the law. They're placed into foster care and many are put up for adoption. They are precious children caught up in a system that's supposed to help them... But is it? Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:39:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/82 Welcome to the Arkansas Adoption Coalition Area VIII Blog! This is where we hope to provide you with valuable updates and information. The Heart Gallery will on display at The Mall at Turtle Creek until Ferurary 22nd. Thank you Sharon & Herb for working so hard to put up the Heart Gallery. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:03:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/81 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:02:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/38 JONESBORO - Right now, there are over six thousand children in need of good foster families and over 400 children waiting to be adopted but the paperwork and the process can be lengthy and frustrating at times. Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:16:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/37 Jonesboro -- The newly formed Craighead County Adoption Coalition is trying to reach out to potential foster families and adoptive parents. The group is introducing a new traveling exhibit called "The Heart Gallery." It's an exhibit of seventeen photos of children currently in the foster family and available for adoption. Statewide, there are around 450 children available for adoption. Jonesboro's Gallery is the newest of three in Arkansas Wed, 16 May 2007 21:12:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/36 JONESBORO -- As the adoption coalition continues to take shape in Northeast Arkansas, there have been some challenges along the way, members of the group learned Wednesday. The group met at St. Bernards Auditorium to discuss the steps that have been taken to place more children with adoptive families since the adoption coalition was first organized in December. Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:10:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/35 JONESBORO - The process of getting children out of foster care and into a permanent home is taking a lot longer than some think it should. There are over 400 children in Arkansas foster homes. Many of those children have been in more than one foster home. This is why the Adoption Coalition was formed. Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:08:00 GMT http://www.adoptarkids.org/view/34 JONESBORO -- There are about 450 children in Arkansas waiting to be adopted and just under 4,000 kids in the foster care system. Those numbers could change, with more children placed in permanent homes, by raising awareness about adoption. A group of interested community leaders who work with children and families who have served as adoptive parents and foster parents met Friday to discuss the start of the Craighead County Adoption Coalition. Sat, 16 Dec 2006 22:05:00 GMT