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Dear Senator Lincoln:
On behalf of the 3,729 children living in Arkansas’s foster care system, we thank you for your support of the Improved Adoption Incentives Program and Relative Guardianship Support Act of 2008 (S. 3038) and the Kinship Caregiver Support Act (S. 661). As one of the co-sponsors of the Adoption Incentive Program Reauthorization Act in 2003, you know the vital role this legislation has played in helping children leave foster care for good. From inception in 1998 through 2006, this bipartisan program has helped almost 450,000 children nationwide leave foster care for safe, permanent adoptive families. Your continued leadership on this issue as a member of the Senate Finance Committee is especially crucial to ensuring the reauthorization of this important program, which is part of Title IV of the Social Security Act and within the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee. |
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| 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. |
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by Sharon & Sylvia
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.
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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.” |
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| The 'P of C' is a list of changes that need to be implemented by the Department of Child and Family Services for the improvement of the adoption process. On February 29th, this document was given to Pat Page, Director of DCFS. Others attending the meeting were: Steve Jones, Deputy Director of DHS; Julie Munsell, DHS Communications Director; Representative Ray Kidd, Representative Paul Bookout, Representative Joan Cash, Melissa Singleton OCC, representatives of KAIT8 News, and various DCFS staff. |
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