Coalition Meeting Minutes

AREA  VIII

ADOPTION  COALITION

                     Minutes of April 6, 2008 Meeting                       

Area VIII Adoption Coalition met at St. Bernards Auditiorium, Jonesboro, AR with 44 in attendance.

After the opening prayer, Sharon Stallings brought everyone up to date regarding the February 29^th meeting with DCFS personnel from Little Rock.  An explanation was given regarding the Points of Change suggestions presented to Pat Page at that meeting.  The meeting was attended by some interested state legislators, representatives of  KAIT8 News, a delegation of  DHS Little Rock staff and Area VIII Coalition leaders.

Sharon advised that we are continuing to wait for an acceptable  confidentiality agreement for Dia, Sylvia, and Sharon to sign.  Stallings reported that the issue over which coalition leaders are refusing to sign is one of agreeing to any internal investigation that DHS wished to pursue.  Leaders say that this is unrelated to the work of photographing the children for the Heart Gallery recruitment activity.

Sharon expressed our sincere gratitude to Mickey Wilson for the work that she is doing to effect changes in the system in Area VIII.  Stallings stated that Wilson is an exceptional manager, and is Area Manager of both the foster and adoption units since the two units where combined. Pat Page was praised for making that important improvement on the system.  Susan Townsend was introduced as the person filling the position of Adoption Specialist for our Area.

Sylvia Richards introduced five women who spoke about the adoption process that they had experienced.  The participants were:

               Sheila Guinn             International Adoption

               Dia Sawyer                Private Adoption

               Carrie Elam               State Adoption in progress

               Lori Clements           State Adoption several years past

               Ashley                       Former foster child who aged out of system

A Question and Answer session followed.

Closing remarks reminded all that more Adoption Blitzes are planned.  Exact dates have not been set. 

Next meeting will be August 13, same time, same place.