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Current Issue 
 | FFT Special Mark Schultz's Journey "Everybody's Pedaling Something... But Mark Schult'z Wheels are Moving for Orphans" by Heidi J. Krumenauer  One man. 15 states. 15 concerts. 65 days. 3,502 miles. And, oh, by the way – he’s doing this on a bicycle – for orphans. Read about his journey here. Entry 1 Entry 2 He Made It!
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ Feature Articles Laughter, Bonding & Adopting Older Children  Shared laughter between parent and child is an incredibly effective way to cement a new parent/youth relationship and to speed along the bonding of that relationship.
By Pat O'Brien
One of my favorite people in the entire world is Barbara Tremitiere, a well known national expert in the area of special needs adoption and preparing families for what to expect after the kids move in. She has a most interesting quote about bonding. Tremitiere has always said to us that "it is not the adopted older child's job to bond to their new adoptive parents but rather the new adoptive parents' job to prove that they are worth bonding to." . more
New Law Strengthens Role of Foster Parents in Court 
By Regina Deihl
Foster parents who spend their days and nights caring for children in foster care often have important information for judges who make decisions about the children's future. Yet, in most states, no one even had to notify caregivers about court hearings related to the children in their care until late 1997 when the Adoption and Safe Families Act was signed into law. ...more
Making the Relationship Work for Children  Foster parents and court appointed special advocates, or CASA and guardian ad litem, or GAL, volunteers have the same focus; the safety and well-being of children who are placed in out-of-home care. Our missions may be different - independent advocacy, as provided by CASA/GAL volunteers, and direct care and nurturing, as provided by foster parents. But our common focus means that, while volunteers and foster parents may not always agree, we serve children best when our relationship is respectful and mutually supportive....more | Fostering Families TODAY supports the innovative AdoptUSKids initiative administered by the Adoption Exchange Association. Visit their site at:
http://www.adoptuskids.org/
BE A CONTRIBUTOR! YOUR story is exactly what another reader might be looking for! FFT welcomes contributions from all involved in the child welfare system---from parents to professionals. Nominate someone for recognition. Speak up on issues that impact the system. Respond to articles in the current issue. Share your foster or adoptive parenting experience. See our writer's guidelines or contact the EDITOR and PUBLISHER Richard Fischer at louisandco@earthlink.net. Need ideas? Call the main office at (888) 924-6736. |
