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The Arkansas Adoption Resource Exchange uses a data matching system to find families for children available for adoption waiting in foster care. This system contains in state and out of state families. When children become available for adoption their information is entered into this data matching system. A 'data match' is then run for the child. All families who 'match' the child are sent to the child's adoption specialist. The adoption specialist then contacts families about the child.
Families who reside in the state of Arkansas and have completed all the steps to adopt a child in state custody can check to make sure their information has been entered into the data matching system. If you are not receiving child referrals, it may be that your information hasn't been entered into the data matching system or is not entered correctly. Contact Linda Dismuke at linda.dismuke@arkansas.gov 501-682-8959 to check your information.
Families outside Arkansas can be added to the state's data matching system by filling out the 409 Form and sending it with their homestudy to: |
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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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