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Welcome HouseŽ e-Newsletter - July 2006
Introducing the Welcome HouseŽ e-Newsletter in HTML -
No more downloading, a quicker easier way for you to keep up-to-date with what's happening at Welcome HouseŽ all on one webpage!
Browse through your online source for the latest Welcome News by scrolling down to read about each program or use the menu below to jump right to the section you want. And don't worry, previous newsletters will be archived just as before.
Not a subscriber to Welcome News? Sign up now for monthy email alerts of when the next newsletter is posted. Or, keep your contact information current.
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Stay Connected
Director's Update
Welcome HouseŽ is very excited to roll out our first HTML Welcome News. Please let us know if you have any suggestions or comments to make this newsletter more informative and useful for you and your family.
As we enter a new fiscal year, Welcome HouseŽ will be gearing up for Hague Accreditation. The Department of State has recently announced that it has designated the entities that will be accrediting agencies, and Welcome HouseŽ will be submitting our application for accreditation soon. This process will involve a lengthy analysis of our policies and procedures to guarantee that we are in compliance with Hague accreditation standards. We feel that we will have no problem in obtaining certification. Other agencies may not fare so well, and there is concern in the adoption community that some agencies may close because they are unable to substantially meet the standards or they do not meet criteria for offering services under the “supervised agency” category, which will be defined by their placement counterparts. All in all, we hope that this process will assist new adoptive families to navigate the murky waters of adoption more smoothly, and that the children are protected against unethical and malicious intent.
In conjunction with accreditation, the new fiscal year also ushers in the need for Welcome HouseŽ to begin to charge for our post placement social events. We will only be charging a minimal amount ($2—$5 per adult depending on our event costs) to help us cover entertainment, rental, etc. Thank you for your understanding.
Continue to enjoy your summer and stay cool!
Leonette
Opening the Welcome HouseŽ Door
Highlights from International Children’s Day 2006
On May 20, 2006, Welcome HouseŽ and Parents of Adoptive Children (PAC), hosted an International Children’s Day celebration for adoptive families in the Richmond, Virginia region. The group enjoyed a performance by the Chinese School of Richmond after lunch and then the children played the Passport Game. The passport was stamped for completing a cultural craft, trying ethnic foods or playing a game. Once the passport was filled the player received a special prize purchased by our staff in China and Korea.
 A special thank you to Maureen Dingus, who helped to plan the event, and Lee and Debbie Gibbs, who secured the Drybridge Pavilion for us at minimal cost.
Since the event was such a success, we’re planning to make it an annual event and hope that even more Welcome HouseŽ families will participate. We’re tentatively planning on Saturday, May 5, 2007. If you’d like to help organize the event, please contact Amy Durie at adurie@pearlsbuck.org or 1-800-220-BUCK ext. 148.
Welcome HouseŽ Congratulates
- Families in our SWAN program…
Robert and Christopher on the placement of two precious boys, Ricardo and Daniel, on June 23, 2006! - Families in our Korea program…
Tom and Diane arrived home with their daughter, Chole, on June 22, 2006
Justin and Jennifer arrived home with their son, Sebastian, on June 22, 2006 - Families in our Independent program……
Hetty arrived home with her son, Andrew, on June 1, 2006
Kevin and Katherine arrived home with their son, Max, on June 1, 2006. - Families that finalized their adoptions…
On June 9, 2006…
Bob and Lisa refinalized the adoption of their daughter, Taryn (born in China)!
On June 23, 2006
Philip and Patricia refinalized the adoption of their daughters, Pearl and Ava (born in China)!
On June 23, 2006
Ed and Becky refinalized the adoption of their daughter, Emily, (born in China)!
On June 23, 2006
Kevin and Sabrina finalized the adoption of their son, Keegan (born in Korea)!
On June 23, 2006
John and Christine finalized the adoption of their son, Christopher (born in Korea)!
On June 26, 2006
Donald and Cynthia finalized the adoption of their son, Tyler (born in Korea)!
On June 30, 2006
Wayen and Laurie finalized the adoption of their daughter, Jillian (born in Korea)!
On June 30, 2006
David and Laura finalized the adoption of their son, Nathaniel (born in Korea)!
On June 30, 2006
Kenneth and Marcel finalized the adoption of their daughter, Morgan (born in Korea)!
Special Edition Articles
Back to School - Adoption Education in the Schools
Although we still have a few weeks of summer left, it’s time to start thinking about sending our precious children to school in a few short weeks. Children spend more time in school every day then they do with their parents. School is often the first setting where children are asked questions about adoption without their parents presence to help them answer. As parents, we need to prepare our children for the questions they may receive and provide opportunities for teachers to learn about adoption.
Why Teach the Teachers?
There is a need for adoption education for both adopted and non-adopted children. The portrayal of adoption in mass media and literature is often based on myths and stereotypes which leaves most of the population with an unrealistic view of adoption. Students look to their teachers for accurate information, so educating the educators on this topic will have a positive impact on the self image of children who were adopted.
Because children do not generally learn about adoption in school settings, they often seek information directly from their friends who were adopted. They may ask highly personal or uncomfortable questions like, “What happened to your real mom?” or “Could your real parents take you back?”. Educators can benefit from adoption specific training to give them strategies to help their adopted students respond to these questions and to educate students about adoption without singling out the adopted student.
Things Parents Can Do
1. Purchase the S.A.F.E. at School Manual, or another resource, and donate it to your child’s school. S.A.F.E. at School presents 5 proactive strategies to help teachers and counselors create a positive adoption environment in school. Please visit the CASE website at http://www.adoptionsupport.org/ to purchase the manual.
2. Prepare your child for questions about adoption. The WISE UP Powerbook is a great tool that empowers children to answer questions about adoption. Please visit the CASE website at http://www.adoptionsupport.org/ to purchase a copy.
3. Talk with your child’s teacher at the beginning of the year. Adoptive Families Magazine has some great articles on this topic on their website. http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/
4. If you live near in Bucks County, office, invite your child’s teacher to attend a workshop on adoption at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit on November 2, 2006. Marge McKeone, Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services, and Jane Cramer, Welcome House, are facilitating the workshops. Contact Jane for registration information at jcramer@pearlsbuck.org.
5. Offer to conduct a workshop for your child’s schools teachers on adoption. Contact Jane jcramer@pearlsbuck.org for materials and a power point presentation.
6. Offer to talk with your child’s class about adoption, only if your child is comfortable with this. Avoid talking about your child’s specific history and story, but talk in general terms about adoption.
7. Join your child’s school or PTA diversity committee and present adoption as a diversity issue.
8. There will be school assignments that are difficult for adopted children (for example the family tree). Talk with your child’s teacher about how the assignment is difficult for many children who do not have a “traditional family” and ask the teacher if there’s another way to teach the specific concept. Don’t push too hard. Teachers have 15-30 different children in their classroom and cannot alter all of their assignments and curriculum for each student.
Organizations Working on this Issue:
The Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc. (C.A.S.E.)
http://www.adoptionsupport.org/
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/education/ededucators.php
(Sign up for their e-newsletter it’s fantastic!)
Institute for Adoption Information, Inc.
http://www.adoptioninformationinstitute.org/
Reconnecting with the Past: Birth Parent Search in Russia
In 1992 Steve and Simone adopted their daughter, Masha, from Yaroslavl, Russia. In the summer of 2005 they went to meet Masha’s birth family. Because of the recent deaths of adopted Russian children they decided to let the local press follow them in Yaroslavl with the intention of having the press report a positive story about a foreign adoption. Below is a translation of that article. You can also see photos of their trip and Masha’s birth family in Yaroslavl, Russia at http://www.flyingzebratrainer.com/2005/09/yaroslavladopti.html.
The American Daughter
By Olga Demidova
It has been increasing amount of debates lately in press about an adoption of Russian children by foreign families. But the story that happened this weekend in Yaroslavl was really unique. A girl, who was adopted 13 years ago by American couple, has returned to Russia to find her biological parents. People who have helped to organize this reunion were very nervous about it until the last moment. How would the biological parents feel when they see their daughter whom they refused from many years ago, being happy and healthy with her American parents? At the beginning there were a great deal of embarrassment, then tears, then hugs, and then happiness… One of our reporters had an opportunity to talk to the foster parents, Simone and Steve, right after this exciting meeting.
“A Daughter of the hospital.”
Masha has never seen her mother and father. “Abandoned child” - that was written in her birth certificate. The girl was brought in to this world with a terrible diagnosis: “skeletal pathology.” Doctors did not even show the newborn baby to her mother after the delivery. Only once they brought baby to the mother, tightly wrapped, and instructed her not to undress the girl. But mother’s heart could not resist- so she did undress her…
Nobody can blame Masha’s parents. They have signed the papers where they refused from their daughter. Did they have another choice? I do not think so. Nobody, including doctors, believed that Masha would have any chances to survive. The baby girl was transferred to the Department of Pediatrics at the Hospital of Karabikh to die.
“Masha was only 17 days old; she was very weak, very quiet and did not move. We were taking care of her, all of us, the best we could. Then she started to eat and suddenly we realized that she will survive.” says one of the hospital’s employees, Maria.
All of the hospital’s staff loved this baby girl. She had beautiful eyes, pink cheeks, and very meaningful and love-projecting look in her eyes. Masha has become everybody’s favorite. Masha’s “parents” became all the employees of the Pediatric Department. Nurses were provided hand made clothing for the girl and a head of the Pediatrics insisted on keeping the girl in the hospital and not giving her to the facility for the abandoned children.
On the weekends, nurses were taking baby girl to their homes, and when bringing her back to the hospital, they had tears in their eyes. Everybody was worrying about this beautiful girl’s future. The question: “What is going to happen with this baby who desperately needs a surgery?” was on everyone’s mind all the time. None of Surgeons were even considering taking the girl to the Operating Room; basically, they had given up on her.
And that was the way this girl had been living for 3 years in the Hospital. “She was waiting for her mother. She was talking over the phone to her “imaginary” mommy, asking how she was doing and telling her about herself” tells Maria.
But one particular day, a woman had appeared at the Masha’s bed and said in broken Russian: “I am Your Mother.” And the girl… Masha was not surprised at all; she just asked her seriously “Mommy, what took you so long to come and take me home?”
“An American girl from Russia.”
Even now, when Simone tells this story, which happened 13 years ago, she is still very emotional. When she came to take Masha from the hospital she explained to her that she had to cross the whole world in order to come for her and that she was taking care of Masha’s new elder brother Zoyi. Then, Simone took out toys from her handbag and Masha hugged, kissed and forgave her mommy for such a long absence.
From this moment there was a note in Masha’s Birth certificate: “Maria Kalinkina-Davidson. Place of Birth-Russia.” Simone took Masha to Philadelphia where father Steve and brother Zoyi had been waiting for her. The whole Hospital of Karabikh was saying “good-bye” to Masha.
Later, Simone called the hospital from USA and told the nurses that Masha already have learned some English words. Masha also talked on the phone saying the she had a dog, lots of bananas and oranges. Masha also invited doctors from Yaroslavl to come to visit her.
We are sitting in the restaurant at one of the Yaroslavl’s Hotels with Simone, Steve, Zoyi and Masha and looking at the pictures. I can see a friendly and prosperous American family and when I asked Masha which country-Russia or America-she considers as her native country, the girl, without any hesitations, said: “America.”
Well, what can you do, if only the USA has given her everything home, parents, friends, family, especially health, which was a result of multiple and very complicated surgeries… Masha does not speak Russian, but while in Moscow and Yaroslavl, she learned few words such as “Thank you,” “You are welcome,” and “I am sorry.”
“Masha knows that she is Russian,” says Simone. “We were trying to raise her in the way so that she would not forget that she has Russian roots. We were taking her to the Russian church and we’re socializing with other American families who have adopted children from Russia.”
“Not to loose your roots.”
Not so long ago, the Davidson family came up with an unbelievable idea - they have decided to go to Russia and find Masha’s biological parents. “Among the all the documents I have brought from Russia 13 years ago, there was a piece of paper with address and names of the Masha’s native parents in Yaroslavl” says Simone. It took a lot of time to find out whether or not those people would like to talk, and, most of all, would they like to see Masha, their daughter, whom they never seen before, in Yaroslavl.
“We have written a letter to Yaroslavl, and, the family responded back. Then, another letter, and, now, we are in Yaroslavl,” says Simone. In the process of corresponding to each other, Davidson’s family found out that Masha has a young sister in Yaroslavl.
Masha, her brother Zoyi and her parents arrived to Yaroslavl on Friday night. Next day they were supposed to have a meeting, which was a sole purpose of such a cross-the-world trip. The interpreter called the family once again to make sure that they have not changed their mind. No, they did not, however, the couple refused to have a reporters presence during the meeting.
“We have suffered more than enough,” said Natalija Sergejevna (name is changed). “There was an article in the newspaper, where reporters have accused and blamed us, saying that parents just abandoned the child. There was so many lies in that article… And nobody tried to understand me and my husband.”
Finally, Simone, Steve, Zoyi and Masha were standing at the door of Yaroslavl’s family.
“Masha, what did you expect from this meeting?” I am asking the girl.
“I wanted so much to establish the relationship with my biological family. I was not going crazy about it, but I thought, why not, if I have a chance to travel to Russia and meet them?”
“Are you not upset or angry with them? Are you not blaming them for leaving you?”
“No, absolutely not. I do not blame anyone. I believe that they had reasons which forced them to do so.”
“Everyone wishes the best for their child,” says Simone. “And we are not an exception either. This reunion with Masha’s biological parents, her sister, has built a foundation for our further relationships, have made our whole family bigger. Masha is going to continue corresponding with her sister and parents, and she wants to come back here. You know, it is very important for anyone to know where are you from, where are your roots.”
“They could not do this in Russia.”
Masha and her Russian parents had to communicate with each other with the help of an interpreter. But there are some things that do not need to be translated… Of course, there were tears, but they dried up quickly.
Masha was telling about herself, about her American life, and it appeared that she already found something in common with her Russian parents they all love growing flowers. Parents from Yaroslavl are good and intelligent people. All these years they were suffering from the memories of leaving their sick newborn baby girl in the hospital. But could anyone help Masha in Russia? Unlikely.
The baby girl was too weak for the surgery, and on top of it, Doctors from Yaroslavl were not going to take a risk of operating on Masha. She would have been transferred to Moscow or Saint Petersburg without any guaranties of success. “Who would have been staying with her?” asking Maria Nikolajevna, a nurse from the Hospital of Karabikh. “We could not…”
But… Simone and Steve could! The Davidson’s family travels a lot; Masha has already visited Italy, Sweden, France, Finland, and England… Masha enjoys photography, plays the piano, and spends lots of time with friends. “Masha is a very communicable person,” smiles Steve.
Even your own can be killed…
Masha liked Russia; she noted that people here were much nicer and more helpful than in New York. Whom does she see herself in the future? “Not a mathematician” Masha smiles.
I felt very uncomfortable asking Simone and Steve this question:
“You must have heard about several cases of murdering adopted Russian children by their foster American parents. What do you think about it?”
“There are parents all over the world who treat children very bad, and it applies not only to adopted children but to their own as well,” responds Steve. “Of course, this is a tragedy, but you cannot assume that this is a true situation among adopted children based on this few horrifying cases.”
“There are much more cases such as Masha’s,” Steve continues. “Why did we adopt a Russian child? The fact of the matter is that Simone and me have Russian roots. Simone’s father was born in Russia. We wanted so much to help the Russian child who had problems with health. We wanted this child to become a self assured and an independent person, despite her disease. When we found out about Masha, we had decided to adopt and help her, knowing that American Doctors would help her.”
“Steve, why Americans do not adopt American children? Don’t you have your own orphans?”
“Well, at the moment, when we decided to adopt a child, I was 42 years old. There are certain age limitations in the United States for adoption: we could have adopted an American child who would be much older, a toddler’s age. But in Russia at that time those limitations did not exist. And we have adopted Masha, so we could help her.”
I have drastically changed my attitude about adopting Russian children by foreign families after the meeting with Davidson’s family. Yes, there have been few shocking cases, when foster parents killed Russian children. But don’t these things happen here, in Russia? What would have happened to Masha, had she remained in our country? I do not want to think about it!
Ways to Help & Resources
After Adoption offers Post Placement Parenting Group in the Fall
Elaine Frank and Denise Rowe of After Adoption have developed parent-child classes for families who have recently brought their child home. These classes offer child development information which can enhance parents’ understanding of their child’s personality and age appropriate behaviors and lead to strong parent child attachment. The classes are held in their Philadelphia office. For more information call 215-879-4030 or visit their website at http://www.adoptionparenting.org/.
Korean Police Department Looking for Adult Adoptees
InKAS, a Korean agency who provides support and assistance to adult adoptees, asked us to help them spread the word about this opportunity for adult Korean adoptees who are police officers. The Korean Police Department would like to invite these adoptees to a “welcoming ceremony” and exchange in Korea. For more information please contact InKAS at inkas21@korea.com.
If you come across a book, educational event or resource that you would like to share with others touched by adoption, please e-mail the information to Jane Cramer at jcramer@pearlsbuck.org.
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Recycle Your Ink Cartridges and Cell Phones!
Don’t know what to do with your old ink cartridges and cell phone?? Donate them to Welcome HouseŽ! We send them to a recycling company that gives us a small donation for each item!
Support Welcome HouseŽ Through Grocery Shopping!
It’s time to (re) register for the Genuardi’s Register Receipt ProgramGenuardi’s has made it even easier for you to contribute money to Welcome HouseŽ. Genuardi’s Community Cash Back Program has gone paperless!! It’s a web-based program powered by eScrip. If you would like to register for this easy new program go to http://www.escrip.com/ to register your Genuardi’s club card. The Welcome HouseŽ group ID# is 150239813. You can also register at any Genuardi’s customer service counter.
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Welcome HouseŽ Thanks
- Welcome HouseŽ would like to thank the Donatello family and those who donated to Welcome HouseŽ in honor of Nate’s 1st birthday. Special thanks to the following individuals and families for their donations: Beauchamp, Borges, Broadway, Donatello, Doyle, Hinson, Holmes, Kordalski, Loschke, Nastro, Paglione and Schmitt.
- We would also like to acknowledge Eileen Tennity for her contribution in honor of Mary Ellen Fuli.
- In addition, special thanks to Thomas Hunter, Margaret Wood, Robert Flynn, David O. Winfrey, Sydney Bykopsky, Ann DeMatteo, Garry Papers, Betty A. Fetzer and Florence T. Brown for their generous donations to Welcome HouseŽ adoptive family program support.
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Program Updates
China
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Ella |
By Heather Carter, Program Coordinator
Update on Time Frames for Referrals
At the end of June, CCAA released a new set of referrals. They were for families whose dossiers were registered between June 16 and June 28, 2005. We are hoping that our July 4, 2005 dossier group will receive their referrals at the end of July. Keep your fingers crossed!!
We will include updates in future editions of Welcome News as things change. However, you can get updates in between editions of the newsletter by joining the Welcome House China Program Yahoo group. Just go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/welcomehousechina/ and click “Join This Group.” Please be sure to put your family’s name in your application to join the group. Once the next group of referrals is received, the good news will be posted on the yahoo group!
What do I do during the wait?
The longer wait between dossier registration and referral can be difficult. What can you do with the extra time? Here are some ideas:
- Join your local Families with Children from China chapter Many of them have waiting families groups where you can meet other families that are waiting for their referrals.
- Read books and articles on travel in China and the history of China You will understand so much more of what you see while you’re there if you have been doing some reading.
- Learn more about adjustment and attachment to help ease the transition for your child
- Learn about basic child care, including how to care for a child that is sick with a cold, diarrhea, etc. It is not uncommon for the children develop respiratory or intestinal illnesses in the week after their placement. The stress of the transition can weaken their immune systems and make them more vulnerable. (It’s also not unusual for them to already have these illnesses when they meet their families, especially colds.)
- Start building your back and arm muscles so you’ll be prepared when you meet your child After a day or two of carrying them, they can feel pretty heavy!
China Family Picnic
Our 2nd Annual China Family Picnic will be held on August 27th from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. in the tent on the PSBI property in Perkasie, PA. You are invited to bring a lunch dish to share, a blanket or chairs for sitting on the lawn (there will also be seating under the tent), and your friends and family! Here’s our schedule of events:
12 Noon Potluck Lunch in the tent
12:30 p.m. Mei Mei Dancers
1:05 p.m. Plum Flower Dance Company Performance followed by children’s craft time
1:40 p.m. In celebration of the Year of the Dog we present Penny and the PineCone People a premier children’s music show about the adventures of Penny the dog
2:25 p.m. Games and prizes
For crafts we’ll be making our own kites and flying them if the wind cooperates! We’ll also be making a China Families Quilt so be sure to bring a family photo with you! The fee is $2 per adult. For more information and to purchase your tickets online, visit us at www.pearlsbuck.org/events. We look forward to seeing you there!
Waiting Children in China
Welcome HouseŽ partners with Homeland Adoption Services (formerly Brightside for Children and Families) to find families for children with special needs in China. Homeland Adoption Services is currently looking for families for 4 children; could one of them become your child? Please contact Pam Thomas at Homeland Adoption Services if you would like additional information about any of these children. She can be reached at (845) 268-6194 or ptbrightside@aol.com.
- Chen Bo male born 10/1/02 with cleft lip and palate
- Binbin male born 11/15/01 with congenital heart disease
- Shi Tang male born 6/8/03 with cleft lip and palate
- Yin Rong male born 3/15/02 with an orthopedic issue
China Dossier Status Update
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Dossiers sent on: |
Dossiers registered at CAA on: |
Referrals received on: |
Average age at referral: |
Average age at arrival in the U.S.: |
| 1/19/05 |
1/31/05 |
9/1/05 (7 months, 1 day) |
11.5 months Oldest- 15 months, 20 days Youngest- 9 months, 26 days |
13.59 months Oldest- 17 months, 21 days Youngest- 11 months, 27 days |
| 3/11/05 |
3/25/05 |
11/14/05 (7 months, 20 days) |
10.4 months Oldest- 12 months, 13 days Youngest- 7 months, 30 days |
12.6 months Oldest- 124 months, 139 days Youngest- 10 months, 5 days |
| 6/10/05 |
7/4/05 |
1/3/06 (expedited referral- 5 months, 30 days) |
9.53 months |
11.4 months |
| 4/22/05 |
5/13/05 |
1/25/06( 8 months, 12 days) |
7.61 months Oldest- 8 months Youngest- 7 months, 5 days |
9.96 months Oldest- 10 months, 11 days Youngest- 9 months, 16 days |
| 9/6/05 |
10/8/05 |
2/27/06 (expedited referral- 4 months, 19 days) |
14.5 months |
16.6 months |
| 7/11/05 |
7/22/05 |
Not received to date |
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| 10/14/05 |
10/27/05 |
Not received to date |
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| 11/16/05 |
12/6/05 |
Not received to date |
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| 1/17/06 |
2/16/06 |
Not recieved to date |
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| 4/10/06 |
4/19/06 |
Not recieved to date |
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| 5/12/06 |
Awaiting date |
Not recieved to date |
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Korea
By Nancy Marshall, Program Coordinator
June Statistics
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Morgan |
Placements
There were 2 placements in June 1 boy and 1 girl. The waiting time from match to placement was about 3 months. The waiting time from visa approval to placement was about 6 weeks.
Visa Approvals and Travel
3 families received visa approval in June. 9 families are matched and are awaiting visa approval. There are currently 3 families waiting for travel (2 boys and 1 girl).
Referrals
There were 4 referrals in June 2 boys and 2 waiting children who are girls. The average waiting time from home study sent to referral for identified family was about 2 months.
*NOTE: Holt is now making referrals to our families whose home studies were sent in April and May. If you are working on completing your application, now is the time to get it in.
Home Studies Sent
7 home studies were sent to Holt in June. There are currently 11 home studies in Korea awaiting referrals. Of these families, 5 are requesting a boy, 3 are waiting for girls, and 3 are waiting for either. There are an additional 3 home studies in Korea that are on hold due to pregnancy.
Applications
We received 5 initial applications (face sheet). 2 applications were completed and approved in June.
Girl Waiting List
The 2006 list is closed. 4 families received referrals. 5 families on the 2007 list with 1 slot left.
Korea Family Picnic
This year the picnic will be held on Sunday, September 17, from 1:00 to 4:00 at Upper Gwynedd Park in North Wales. We will plan a potluck picnic lunch before the program begins. Come with family and friends to share the day with other adoptive families. The entertainment in the afternoon should be great and there is plenty of room to play and socialize. Spread the word.
Traveling to Korea to pick up your baby
Two of our families made the trip to Korea this month. Even though it is a very long trip, the rewards are great! If you are considering travel, we have families who you can talk to about their experience. Call Nancy Marshall at 215-249-0100 ext. 118 or e-mail me at nmarshall@pearlsbuck.org for information.
Special Event
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is displaying their Korean art collection in galleries 2327 and 238 from now through next spring. There will be a celebration around the collection for Korean Heritage Weekend in the fall.
Philippines
By Jane Cramer, Program Coordinator
Nothing new to report for the Philippines program. We received a copy of the Proposed Amendments of the Philippine Inter-Country Adoption law and are reviewing them. The initial review does not reveal any significant changes the process.
There are currently four families waiting for referrals, one family matched, one family on hold, one family’s dossier is waiting for ICAB approval and two families working on their dossiers, home studies or applications in the Philippines program.
Vietnam
By Heather Carter, Program Coordinator
It’s been a very exciting month for our Vietnam program! Since we received our license on May 25, 2006 we’ve received three referrals one of a healthy 3 month old boy who was matched with a family and two waiting children both girls. Below is a little information about our waiting children. Please let us know if you are interested in reviewing their referral information.
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An
Date of Birth: November 9, 2005
Gender: Female
Special Needs: Cleft lip and palate, as well as chronic bronchitis and chronic ear infections due to the cleft lip and palate |
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Hien
Date of Birth: May 24, 2005
Gender: Female
Special Needs: Tuberculosis (in treatment), possible damage to hearing or deafness from TB medications, Hepatitis C, and a heart condition (an unrepaired patent ductus arteriosus). She is also very small for her age. We have a detailed medical report and are waiting for a medical consultation so we can better understand her heart condition. |
Since receiving our license we have sent one completed dossier to Vietnam. Three additional dossiers are being translated while we wait for the authenticated documents. Several other families are working on their applications, home studies, or waiting for CIS approval. It is exciting to see these first families move through the process!
StateWide Adoption Network (SWAN)
By Heather Ely, Program Coordinator
SWAN Statistics
We continue to have families participating in our SWAN program. 6 families are currently completing their application. There are a total of 2 families currently matching. 1 family is currently matched and visiting. We currently have 6 children placed with our Welcome HouseŽ families.
Time Frames
Average time frame from application to home study:
It may take 3 to 6 months, depending on how active the family is with completing their paper work.
Average time frame from home study to a match:
It may take 6 months to 2 years to be matched with a child.
Average time frame from a match to a placement:
It may take a couple of weeks to several weeks until a child is placed in an adoptive home.
It truly depends on the child and the adoptive family’s comfort level.
Average time frame after placement:
A child needs to be placed in a pre-adoptive home for 6 months before a family can finalize the adoption.
Post Adoption Services
By Samantha Ritter, Program Coordinator
We will keep you apprised of any new word about accessing available post permanency funds beginning July 1, 2006. We hope to work with new families across the state of PA soon. In the meantime, our agency is available to provide your family with local resources if you have any questions. Please also feel free to contact 1-800-585-SWAN for additional resources.
Our agency will continue to offer monthly support groups for adoptive families, mentoring program, and ongoing educational, recreational, cultural and social events at no cost to adoptive families.
Support Groups! Our next support group is scheduled on September 11, 2006 from 5:30pm-7:30 pm. Dinner will be provided! This is a great time to meet other families that are facing some of the same challenges that you are! Please contact us if you are interested in attending. Heather Ely can be reached at 215-249-0100 x155.
Online Support! Our post adoption families are also invited to participate in monthly live chats offered by NJ Arch http://www.njarch.org/ . Please check out their monthly speakers and log on if you are interested in participating. http://www.taplink.org/ is also a super resource that is updated on a regular basis.
If you have any questions, I can be reached on Thursdays from 7:30am-5:30pm. I will be happy to answer any of your questions or concerns about our services. Please contact me at 215-249-0100 x112 or sritter@pearlsbuck.org
Welcome HouseŽ Mentoring Program
By Lisa Moravec-Senior, Program Coordinator
The Mentoring Group met on Saturday, July 1, 2006. We took our first field trip and everyone enjoyed bowling at Thunderbird Lanes. The summer months resulted in a small group turnout but those who participated showed some great skill and kept their scorecards as mementos. Toria and her mentor, Annie and Victoria and her mentor, Kelly “…set up, squared their shoulders, eyed the target with the dots on the lane, raised the ball in preparation, moved forward slid swung and let go” to much applause and laughter.
A recent article in the Korea Times informs adoptive families about the rewards and struggles that kids who have been adopted internationally, and who are of differing ethnicity from their families, face everyday. You can read it by clicking on the following link. http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200607/kt2006070717123910980.htm
The Adoption Mentoring Program offers kids the chance to be uniquely connected to an adult adoptee who truly understands and can help them navigate the road ahead. The Welcome HouseŽ Adoption Mentoring Group meets on the first Saturday of every month at PSBI. For information about becoming a mentor or enrolling your child in the program, please contact, Lisa Moravec-Senior, lmoravecsenior@pearlsbuck.org
Playgroups & Support Groups
From time to time, Welcome HouseŽ families that live near each other decide to start a playgroup together. Organized by the moms and dads, this is a great opportunity for families to enjoy some time together. Below is a listing of the current groups. If you are interested in participating in the groups give them a call. If you would like to start a playgroup in your area, send me the information (215-249-0100 ext. 148 or jcramer@pearlsbuck.org) and I will include it in the newsletter!!
- Solebury/New Hope Area
Please contact Melissa Hoffman at mjhpa@comcast.net. - Chester County, PA
Please contact Barbara Belshaw at barbara522@msn.com. - Delaware County, PA
Please contact Becky Wagner-Pizza at WP93@msn.com. - Lehigh Valley Area
The Lehigh Valley Play Group is very active and is meeting on a monthly basis. Meetings start at 10:30 a.m.; the next group will be on 8/19/06. The playgroup rotates locations each month so email Marcel Broadway at mkbway@earthlink.net for more information. - Spinnerstown, PA
The Adoptive Families Group meets from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the St. John’s Lutheran Church. For more information contact Jennifer Chupalio at Jenmatt792@cs.com. - Berks County, PA
There is a playgroup for Korea families in Berks County. They meet the first Tuesday of every month at various locations. For more information contact Sharon Denapoli at sldenapoli@aol.com.
Welcome HouseŽ Moms Group
Is your newly adopted child having trouble sleeping through the night? Do you wish you could get advice from another adoptive parent? Then don’t forget to join us for our monthly Moms group where moms and kids get together to play, share experiences and offer advice.
The Moms Group meets the second Tuesday of every month from 10 to 12 at the Welcome House main office in Perkasie, in the Cultural Center, from 10 a.m. to 12p.m. Please bring a snack to share. This is a good opportunity for your child to interact with other adopted children and for moms to visit with each other. RSVPs aren’t necessary, but are very helpful so we know approximately how many families to expect. If you are planning to come, please contact Nancy.
TOYS NEEDED - We would appreciate donations of appropriate toys for toddlers and children up to 5 years old. Also, our kitchen set has no dishes, pans, or play food. If you have something you could donate, please contact Nancy at 215-249-0100 ext. 118 or nmarshall@pearlsbuck.org. | |
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Events
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Lauren | PSBI and Welcome HouseŽ Events
August 27, 2006 China Family Picnic- Perkasie, PA
Join us for a fun family picnic on Sunday, August 27th from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. We will be under the tent on the PSBI property enjoying the entertainment from Penny and the Pinecone People (http://www.pineconepeople.com/ perfect for the Year of the Dog!), creating and flying our own kites (if the wind cooperates!), and getting to know other families with children from China. We welcome kids, moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends everyone!! Bring a dish to share, your lawn chair or blanket, and any toys for outside play. We have plenty of room to play! Tickets are $2 per adult and children under 18 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or you can go to the Community Events section of our website, www.psbi.org, find the China Family Picnic, and click “Purchase Tickets Now.”
September 10, 2006 Pittsburgh Area End of Summer Picnic- Cranberry, PA
This event will be held at North Boundary Park in Cranberry, PA from 11 am to 3 pm. There will be a demonstration of martial arts. There is a playground nearby and walking paths. There is a ball field as well and last year there was a little baseball game for those old enough to run around the bases. This event is pot luck so please bring a dish to share. Tickets are $2 per adult and children under 18 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or you can go to the Community Events section of our website, www.psbi.org, find the Pittsburgh Area End of Summer Picnic, and click “Purchase Tickets Now.”
September 17, 2006 Korea Family Picnic- North Wales, PA
Mark your calendars! This year the Korea picnic will be held on Sunday, September 17, from 12:00 to 4:00 at Upper Gwynedd Park in North Wales. A potluck lunch will be held beginning at 12 noon. There will be entertainment starting at 1:00 as part of the Annual Culture Day sponsored by the 21st Century America-Korea-China Leaders Society. Everyone is welcome families who have adopted from Korea, families that are considering adoption, extended family members, friends everyone! Tickets are $2 per adult and children under 18 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the picnic or you can go to the Community Events section of our website, www.psbi.org, find the Korea Family Picnic, and click “Purchase Tickets Now.”
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Max and Eva | October 14, 2006 Building Attachment in the First Months: Practical Ideas for Bonding with Your Child- Perkasie, PA
The first few months after a child comes home is a critical time for building the relationships between the parent(s) and child. This workshop will discuss the details of the attachment process, as well as provide practical ideas of things parents can do to build and strengthen that bond. The workshop will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon in the Board Room of the offices of Pearl S. Buck International. Presented by Heather Carter, MSW, LSW, Welcome HouseŽ Program Manager. You can register online for this event Support Group and Seminars section of our website, www.psbi.org, and click on “Register”.
SAVE THESE DATES!
Here are some exciting Welcome HouseŽ events in the coming months…
October 15, 2006 3rd Annual Chinese Children’s Benefit Perkasie, PA
October 24, 2006 Moms’ Group Halloween Party Perkasie, PA
November 4, 2006 Welcome HouseŽ Adoption Celebration Lancaster, PA
December 7, 2006 Welcome HouseŽ Holiday Gathering Perkasie, PA
Community Events
Now through September 10, 2006 Have You Eaten Yet? The Chinese Restaurant in America- Philadelphia, PA
This exhibt at the Atwater Kent Museam tells the story of Chinese immigration and culture in America. For more information, visit their website at http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/akm/about/news/?action=viewNews&id=72c2f8955a8292b90a35bc9129d98678
August 4, 2006 Three Rivers Adoption Council’s “Celebration of Families” event- Pittsburgh, PA
Three Rivers Adoption Council will be hosting their annual Celebration of Families event at the Pittsburgh Zoo on August 4, 2006. You can meet other families, have lunch, and enjoy the entertainment at the education center not to mention watching the animals! The event will run from 11:30 to 3:00. For more information contact Kelly Sagel at TRAC at 412-471-8722 or ksagel@3riversadopt.org.
August 4, 2006 Three Rivers Families With Children From China’s Idlewild Park Picnic- Pittsburgh, PA
Join Three Rivers Families with Children from China for a picnic at Idlewild Park. Families will be meeting at noon near Pavilion C-7, which is near the Spyer ride. Discounted tickets are available through July 17th and are $12 per person 3 years and older. Children 2 and under are free. Pack a picnic lunch and come enjoy the games and rides. For more information or to order tickets go to www.trfcc.org/event_pages/Aug4_Idlewild.html.
August 10-11, 2006 Attachment Disorders Workshop- Philadelphia, PA
This two-day workshop will cover understanding and treating attachment disorders. The focus for the first day is “a psychoneurobiological approach to understanding potential long-term effects of loss & separation in infancy & early childhood.” The focus for the second day is “developmental aspects of loss & grief from infancy through adolescence.” The workshop is being hosted by CMI Education Institute. For more information call them at 1-800-726-3888 or visit their website at http://www.cmieducation.com/.
August 12, 2006 Concerned Persons For Adoption (CPFA) Family Summer Picnic- Morristown, NJ
CPFA will be hosting their annual Family Summer Picnic on August 12th from noon to dusk at Lewis Morris County Park, just outside Morristown, NJ. The event is free for members; non-members will need to pay beach fees. There is swimming and boating available at the park. Families should bring a picnic lunch and chairs/blankets for the beach. For more information visit www.cpfanj.org/events/picnic.html or call or e-mail Lois Bush at (908)322-9059 or Lois123go@msn.com.
August 13 17 Holt’s East Coast Heritage Camp- Starlight, PA
This one-week overnight camp is for adoptees. Activities include typical summer camp fun (campfires, boating, swimming, etc.) as well as adoption specific activities. The cost is $350 per camper. For more information visit www.holtintl.org/camp.
September 15 16 Shedding Light on the Adoption Experience V: An Educational Conference About Realities: The Lifelong Effects of Adoption and the Need for Family Preservation- New York, NY
This two-day conference will discuss some issues in adoption. The conference will be held at the Lincoln Center Campus of Fordham University. For more information, visit www.adoptioncrossroads.org/Conference/.
September 16- Fourth Annual Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival- Pittsburgh, PA
The only event of its kind in the Pittsburgh area, the festival brings together Eastern and Western cultures to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the diversity within the Pittsburgh region. The Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival is an annual event of the Greater Pittsburgh Sister Cities Association, which conducts cultural and educational exchanges between Pittsburgh and Wuhan, China.
In addition to exciting Dragon Boat racing, there’s a full schedule of performances and activities. For more information, visit http://www.pittsburghdragonboatfestival.org/.
September 25 “The Joys and Challenges of a Transracial Adoption”- North Plainfield, NJ
Connected Hearts Adoption Triad Support (CHATS) hosts a monthly support group for all members of the adoption triad. The September meeting will be led by reunited adult adoptee Amanda Powers and will be a discussion of transracial adoption. CHATS meets from 7:15 to 9:15 at the Presbyterian Church in North Plainfield. For more information go to www.chatsnj.com/207.html.
October 12 - Preparing for International Adoption: Medical Issues- Doylestown, PA
Doylestown Hospital is hosting this workshop, presented by Dr. Marge Schonfeld, of Central Bucks Pediatrics and Jane Cramer, of Pearl S. Buck International. Dr. Schonfeld will discuss reviewing referral information, recommended testing after adoption and developmental issues typical for adopted children based on her experience of caring for many internationally adopted children. Jane Cramer will describe typical orphanage conditions and how living in an orphanage can impact children’s health and development. Registration information is not yet available and will be included in the next newsletter.
October 13-14 4th Adoption Conference: “Families Without Borders? Adoption Across Culture and Race- New York, NY
The Center for Psychological Services and Clinical Studies at St. John’s University are sponsoring their 4th annual adoption conference. The focus of this year’s conference is on transracial adoption. For more information visit www.stjohns.edu/academics/centers/psychology/ev_psych_061013.sju.
Community Events in November National Adoption Awareness Month!!
November 2 - What Educators Need to Know About Adoption- Doylestown, PA
This workshop will increase educators knowledge of adoption, help educators create a classroom setting that is adoption friendly, give educators strategies for helping adopted students respond to sensitive questions and an understanding of how children understand adoption as they develop. This workshop is based on the Center for Adoption Support and Education’s guide “S.A.F.E. at School” and is being presented by Marge M McKeone, of Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services and Jane Cramer, of Pearl S. Buck International. Registration and Act48 credit information coming soon!
November 4 Celebrate Adoption ’06: An Evening for Parents- Wilmington, DE
Adoptive Families with Information and Support (AFIS) will be hosting their second Evening for Parents. This year’s event will include a catered buffet dinner, silent auction, agency and community resource exhibits, and a presentation by Regina Kupecky, therapist at the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio and co-author of Adopting the Hurt Child and Parenting the Hurt Child. The event will be held at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Concord Pike in Wilmington. For more information contact AFIS at 302-239-6232 or afisdelaware@comcast.net.
November 4 25th Annual “Let’s Talk Adoption” Conference- Piscataway, NJ
Concerned Persons for Adoption host this annual conference which features a keynote address by Debbie Riley, author of “Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens” and 36 workshops on how to adopt, parenting, adoptee issues and school issues. Welcome House’s Jane Cramer will be presenting two workshops on transracial adoption issues. For more information and to register, please visit their website at http://www.cpfanj.org/, e-mail conference06@cpfanj.org or call 908-273-5694.
November 12 - 4th Annual Adoption Awareness Month Celebration- Blue Bell, PA
The theme for this year’s event, hosted by the Delaware Valley Families with Children from China chapter, is Upon a Family: Songs, Dances and Stories Celebrating the 21st Century Family. For more information please visit, http://www.fcc-dv.org/
November 19 - "Circle of Life, Circle of Love" Adoption Conference - Greenvale, NY
This annual conference, presented by the Adoptive Parents Committee, Inc. is celebrating it’s 26th year. The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Jane Aronson, Founder and Executive Medical Director of Worldwide Orphans Foundation. For more information please visit their website at http://www.adoptiveparents.org/conference.htm | |
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Welcome News is produced and published by Pearl S. Buck International (PSBI)
520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA 18944, 215-249-0100 info@pearlsbuck.org
Article, event, information and photo submissions should be made to Alison Clewell
aclewell@pearlsbuck.org or 215-249-0100 ext. 116
Any book, website or other resource listed within Welcome News does not imply endorsement by Welcome HouseŽ or Pearl S. Buck International. |
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