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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Richard Ager. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Preshow #1 Return to index of stories... |
In this edition, Making adoption easier for both children and parents. |
| Preshow #2 Return to index of stories... |
And later, it's a fostering program that's brought one community together. Meet some of the grandma's and grandpa's of the Union Sanborn School. |
| Intro Adoption Return to index of stories... |
It now takes an average of 3 and a half years to adopt a child in New Hampshire. The sheer length of that process can often deter would-be parents, and leave young children spending much of their life between families. There are now calls for action to shorten the process and make adoption easier. We'll talk about some of those initiatives in a moment, but first - a reminder that although November was proclaimed adoption awareness month, the needs of children seeking a family continue year-round. |
| Adoption Return to index of stories... |
Soundup: Adoption Newser tape 02;59:42 whereas the state of New Hampshire recognizes the fact that it is every child's right to belong to a secure loving and permanent family… Track: The Governor and Council chambers is a good place to find the state's representatives, and this occasion - proclaiming adoption awareness month - was no exception. For these children - all adopted - represent 1 in 50 of America's kids. Lisa Marrow of North Woodstock adopted her first child in 1994 - she now has 7. Bite: Adoption Newser tape 03:10:00 My husband and I really know the meaning of unconditional love and the value of it's potential of our children whatever that might be and adopting each of our children has really strengthened the fabric of our family. A lot of people say what if, how are they going to be when they grow up? Are they going to look for their birth parents - are they still going to love you? I call those people the nay Sayers and I just say adoption and parenting is really a leap of faith, faith in you as parents, faith in your children and faith in the future of your family. We feel very privileged to parent those children. Track: Lisa Marrow's story is unusual - few parents could adopt so many children - but even those who want to provide a home for one can run into problems. Bite: Adoption Newser tape 03:25:44 WHAT WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AS THE OBSTACLES IN THE WAY OF A PARENT WHO DOES WANT TO ADOPT? What we see as obstacles today is the long process of trying to get through the court system. There's constant cuts in the court and it just takes forever to get onto the docket and if you happen to have a continuance or you happen to need another medical paper or you need a follow up appointment, it may take ten months to get back onto the docket and that impacts the length of time it takes to get those kids through the system. Track: It takes an average of 44 months for a child to be adopted - a span of time that reflects the difficult process of balancing the rights of the child and the birth parents and determining if they have no future together. Bite: Adoption Newser tape 03:34:03 We need to bring the family to the termination process in district court where a parent terminates its parental right and then it goes into the adoption process in the probate court and relative to the legal process and at times there are delays and continuances in the legal process and then in our own process maybe the foster parent is not willing to adopt the child or maybe the child needs had to be met in a residential facility and so we need to go through the process of finding the right adoptive parent. Soundup: Barbara Printy tape 00:14:30 Okay guys, we're going to get ready - Sean - you've got to get ready for karate - put your outfit on…. Track: One way to speed up the process is to have potential parents like Barbara Printy provide foster care while preparing to adopt. Printy and her husband have cared for two siblings - whom we can't show at this time - since March and are weeks away from becoming parents for the first time. Bite: Barbara Printy tape 00:05:30 Knowing that we wanted to be adoptive parents, the hardest part for us was the fact that we could have children come into our home - and the goal of foster care is always to reunite them with their parents - that's always the first goal. So knowing you're going to get these children and fall in love with them and we didn't have any other children so it's not like we had a standby to fall back on. To fall in love with them and then know that they're going back to their mom and dad - that's the hard part of adopting through a foster care program - the way we're doing it. Soundup: CNN B-roll tape #102 00:29:48 tight on Bush signing Track: Earlier this month, President Bush signed new legislation aimed at promoting adoptions, particularly of older children. Soundup: CNN B-roll tape #102 00:36:15 The legislation I am about to sign today sends a clear message: our society is building a culture that values every life. And our govt. strongly supports adoption. Track: In NH, the Dept. of Health and Human Services has established a commission to find ways to shorten the adoption process. And there is something that all new parents - adoptive or not - should know. Bite: Barbara Printy tape 00:12:10 ** WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF ALL THIS? Bite: Barbara Printy tape 00:10:56 The toughest is the loss of independence. Sitting down and reading a good book. The loss of just doing what you want to do. My husband and I traveled a lot and did what we want to do - go out to dinner a lot. We can't do that anymore - so the loss of freedom is - a big change. TRIPS TO STORYLAND NOW, RIGHT? - Friendlies is big. Jokers. THE LAST ADULT MOVIE YOU SAW WOULD BE? I know. Thank god for DVDs. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining us now - Nancy Rollins, director of the state Division of Children, Youth and Families, Mike Sielicki, President of the NH Foster/Adoptive Parents Association, and Judge John Maher, administrative justice of the NH Probate Court. Welcome all of you. |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Richard: CLEARLY ADOPTION IS A VERY COMPLEX AREA AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I LEARNED IS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO ADOPT IN THE STATE, AREN'T THERE? CERTAINLY ARE. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO START WITH THAT OR NANCEY? WHY DON'T WE START WITH YOU, JUDGE? WE CAN TALK ABOUT THERE ARE PRIVATE ADOPTIONS, OF COURSE, 10 AND THEN THERE ARE FOREIGN ADOPTIONS, BUT THE ADOPTIONS THAT NANCY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT ARE THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT CHILDREN, NEGLECTED CHILDREN THAT COME THROUGH THE DISTRICT COURT WITH THE PERMENANCY PLAN AND MOVE TO THE PROBATE COURT FOR TERMINATION AND ADOPTION. THAT'S A JOURNEY FOR THE CHILDREN. Richard: YOU AND NANCY WOULD BE DEALING WITH THE MOST DIFFICULT ADOPTIONS, WOULDN'T YOU, THE MOST COMPLICATED ONES. WOULD YOU SAY THAT'S TRUE? THESE ARE CERTAINLY, IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR YES, AS JUDGE MARTIN INDICATED, CHILDREN WHO HAVE COME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE STATE BECAUSE OF SOME CONCERN RELATIVE TO CHILD MALTREATMENT. THERE HAS BEEN A FOUNDED CASE OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND WE WORK WITH THOSE CHILDREN AND 11 HOPEFULLY MOVE THEM TO SOME KIND OF PERMENANCY AND ADOPTION IS ONE OF THE OPTIONS OF PERMENANCY. YOU KNOW, MIKE, AS THE HEAD OF THE FOSTER ADOPTIVE PARENTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, I MEAN WHAT DO YOU HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BEGINNING TO THINK ABOUT OR PARTLY THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ADOPTING A CHILD? THEIR CONCERN IS, YOU KNOW, ONCE THEY START DOWN THERE ROAD, HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE AND WHAT HURDLES DO THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN? AND THAT'S A BIG CONCERN FOR PARENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. Richard: I THINK WE EXPLORED A LITTLE BIT IN THE PIECE AND THAT IS THE COMPLICATED ISSUES THAT SURROUND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS. WOULD YOU SAY THAT'S THE MAJOR SOURCE OF THE DELAYS IN TAKING 12 ONE CHILD FROM ONE FAMILY TO ANOTHER? THERE ARE MANY. ACTUALLY THERE'S A 12 MONTH PERIOD, THE ADOPTION AND SAFE FAMILIES ACT TALKS ABOUT A 12 MONTH PERIOD IN THE DISTRICT COURT SETTING WHERE A PARENT IS CHARGED WITH CORRECTING EITHER ABUSE OR NEGLECT. NOW JUST THINK ABOUT THAT AND THAT CHILD IS OUT OF THE HOME, IS PLACED WITH A FOSTER PARENT. THAT WOMAN IN THE FILM WE JUST SAW TALKS ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES OF KNOWING THAT THE FIRST PART OF HER JOB IS TO CREATE A SETTING WHERE THEY WHERE THERE WILL BE REUNIFICATION WITH THAT NATURAL BIRTH PARENT. THEN THERE IS CONCURRENT PLANNING THAT DOES NOT WORK, THEN THERE MAY BE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE AT A PERMENANCY HEARING 12 MONTHS OUT 13 SAYS WE THINK THAT THE RIGHTS OF THIS PARENT SHOULD BE TERMINATED. THEN IT GOES TO ANOTHER COURT SETTING FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS. NOW THAT PROCESS ITSELF CAN TAKE PERHAPS SEVEN, NINE MONTHS, A YEAR. SO NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALMOST 24 MONTHS IN A CHILD'S LIFE. AND YOU SOMETIMES HAVE MOTHERS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHO MAY NOT WANT TO IDENTIFY THE FATHER. OTHER KINDS OF SITUATIONS. HOW COMPLICATED CAN THIS GET, NANCY? IT CAN GET VERY COMPLICATED AS JUDGE MAHER INDICATED, THERE IS THE SOCIAL SERVICES END OF IT WORKING WITH BOTH THE BIRTH PARENT AS WELL AS THE FOSTER PARENT. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS TO LOCATE FAMILY, IF 14 THERE IS FAMILY, TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE CAPABLE AND APPROPRIATE TO TAKE THE CHILDREN, AND YOU'RE RIGHT. MANY OF THE FAMILIES THAT WE'RE INVOLVED WITH, THIS MAY BE THE THIRD OR FOURTH FATHER, DEPENDING ON HOW MANY CHILDREN THERE ARE, AND WE NEED TO TRY AND LOCATE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM AND/OR THEIR FAMILY, THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY. THAT CAN TAKE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TIME. AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE ARE TRYING TO, AS THE JUDGE SAID, HAVE THE BIRTH PARENT ENGAGE IN SOME KIND OF SERVICES TO TRY TO AMMIEL YOUR EIGHT WHATEVER THE ISSUES ARE AMELIORATE WITH WHATEVER BROUGHT THEM TO OUR ATTENTION. AND WE ARE LOOKING AT FOSTER AS A FALSE ADOPT TYPE CIRCUMSTANCE, WHERE IF THERE WAS A POTENTIAL TO ADOPT THE CHILDREN, THESE 15 PEOPLE HAVE ENTERED INTO FOSTERING WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING. BUT THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE WE STILL HAVE FOSTER PARENTS WHO STRICTLY WANT TO FOSTER AND GOD LOVE THEM FOR THAT, AND THEN WE NEED TO STILL BE WORKING AND LOOKING FOR AN ADOPTIVE FAMILY. Richard: THAT LOOKS LIKE A WAY TO MOVE THE PROCESS ALONG BUT IT ALSO SOUNDS LIKE A REAL EMOTIONAL GAMBLE FOR WOULD BE PARENTS. MIKE, DO YOU. YOU KNOW, DO YOU FIND A LOT OF PARENTS OR WOULD BE PARENTS SAY THIS LOOKS LIKE A DAUNTING PROSPECT? ABSOLUTELY. IT SCARES SOME FOSTER PARENTS TO GET INTO THE MODE OF, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO REALLY CARE AND STUFF LIKE THAT. FOSTER PARENTS DO A WONDERFUL JOB IN THE STATE, AND WE 16 ENCOURAGE THEM TO, YOU KNOW, GIVE THE CHILD A LOVING HOME AND REALLY GO OUT AND MABEL IT A GOOD TIME FOR THE CHILD TO BE THERE. BUT IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND, YOU ALWAYS HAVE THAT HOW ATTACHED DO I GET, YOU KNOW, HOW ATTACHED DO I GET? AND IF I TAKE THAT NEXT STEP AND I WANT TO GO TO THE ADOPTION PROCESS, IS IT GOING TO BE A YEAR, TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS? . Richard: THIS HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST PERSONAL FORMS OF PRACTICING LAW THERE IS, ISN'T IT? IT CERTAINLY IS. YOU WANT TO BE VERY SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF ALL PARTIES. IT TAKES A VERY SPECIAL PERSON TO BE THAT FOSTER PARENT. AND THERE IS NO EGO INVOLVED. IT IS TOTALLY LOVE OF THAT CHILD. 17 THAT'S WHY I THINK THEY'RE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR D.C. Y.F.TO BE ABLE TO FIND THESE PEOPLE. MY HAT GOES OFF TO DCYF IF THAT REGARD. Richard: WHO WOULD YOU SAY HAS THE GREATEST NEED, MAYBE THE MOST COMPLEX TO PLACE? WELL, CERTAINLY WITH THE PRESIDENT'S INITIATIVE IN TERMS OF THE INCENTIVES, NATIONALLY, BUT CERTAINLY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, WHAT WE FIND ARE THE CHILDREN THAT ARE THE MOST CHALLENGING TEND TO BE OLDER CHILDREN, SCHOOL AGED AND/OR ADOLESCENT. THEY TEND TO HAVE A VARIETY OF SPECIAL NEEDS. THERE COULD BE EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES, THERE COULD BE LEARNING DISORDERS. YOU ACTUALLY SAID ALL ADOPTIVE CHILDREN ARE SPECIAL NEEDS. 18 I WONDER WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT. |
| Discussion Continued Return to index of stories... |
IT IS A FEDERAL DEFINITION AND IT IS MUCH BROADER THAN USUALLY WHAT ONE MIGHT THINK IN TERMS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION OR WHATEVER. IT CAN INCLUDE LEARNING DISABILITIES. IT CAN INCLUDE MEDICAL BEHAVIORAL AND WHATEVER. BUT IT CAN ALSO INCLUDE LARGE SIBLING GROUPS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN TAKE SEVEN CHILDREN INTO THEIR HOME. AND YET WE HAVE THOSE NOBLE PEOPLE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WHO DO THAT. AND DO THAT READILY. BUT IT IS A CONDITIONAL. IT IS ALSO DIFFICULT FOR THE CHILDREN BECAUSE DEPENDING ON THEIR AGE AND THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE, EXPLAINING TO THEM WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE, WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP IS, WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP MIGHT BE ALL OF 19 THAT WORK ALSO HAS TO GO ON AND THE SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN, HELPING THEM PROCESS THAT OUT, HELPING THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHY THEY CAN'T BE WITH MOMMY, AND SO ON AND SO FORTH, AND THAT COMPOUNDS ALL OF THIS WORK AS WELL. WHAT KIND OF STRATEGIES DO ADOPTIVE PARENTS USE, MIKE? WHAT DO YOU HEAR THAT A VARIETY OF WAYS? KIND OF INTRODUCING THEMSELVES TO THE NEW MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILY? YEAH, WELL, I KNOW A LOT OF PARENTS, WHAT THEY TRY TO DO WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT BRINGING KIDS HOME SAME AS WE DO IN OUR FAMILY. WE LIKE TO BRING THE CHILD HOME, INTRODUCE THEM TO OUR FAMILY FIRST, THE SURROUNDINGS AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT THEY'RE COMING INTO. 20 MAKE SURE THEY'RE COMFORTABLE COMING INTO OUR HOME. WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO AS A FAMILY TOGETHER. EVENTS WE ARE INVOLVED IN. SCHOOL, CHURCH, WHATEVER. THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT BECAUSE IT WILL IMPACT THEIR LIVES, ALSO. Richard: SHE SAID IT HAD BEEN A CURVE, THE BEHAVIOR HAD CHANGED IN THE MONTH THEY HAD LIVED IN THE HOME AND CLEARLY AS THEY LEARNED MORE ABOUT EACH OTHER WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS, BOUNDARIES AND RULES WERE, THEN IT BECAME MUCH EASIER. I GUESS THAT'S JUST A PROCESS THAT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH. ANY NORMAL FAMILY WOULD BUT ON AN ACCELERATED SCHEDULE, ISN'T IT? I THINK THAT'S TRUE BUT I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO DCYF FOR THE TRAINING THEY GIVE TO FOSTER PARENTS. 21 THERE JUST CAN'T BE ENOUGH TRAINING. MY WIFE AND I WERE FOSTER PARENTS. ONE OF THE MISTAKES THAT WE MADE EARLY ON WHEN WE HAD ONE FOSTER CHILD, AND THEN ANOTHER CAME INTO OUR HOME, AND THERE WAS AN IMBALANCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE THAT THAT WOULD HAPPEN. AND I ALSO LEARNED OUR OWN CHILDREN HAD SOME CONCERNS, OUR NATURAL CHILDREN HAD SOME CONCERNS. WHEN THIS CHILD LEAVES OUR HOME, WILL I BE NEXT THERE. ARE CONCERNS THAT FOSTER CHILDREN HAVE TO LEARN ABOUT THAT THEY WON'T HAVE TO. Richard: HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN TO YOUR OWN KIDS THAT YOU ARE BRINGING FOSTER KIDS, STRANGERS, INTO THE HOME? HOW DO YOU DO THAT? FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, IT IS 22 JUST ANOTHER FACT OF SHARING THAT WE ARE ON THIS EARTH AND WE SHOULD SHARE AND HELP ONE ANOTHER AND THIS BOY OR GIRL WAS IN A POSITION WHERE THEY NEEDED A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA HELP. AND THAT WE THOUGHT WE COULD PROVIDE THAT HELP, SO WE DECIDED THAT WE WOULD BECOME FOSTER PARENTS. AND I THINK THAT THAT. I FRANKLY ANY THAT-- I FRANKLY THINK THAT LARGE FAMILIES WITH A NUMBER OF KIDS, IN SOME INSTANCES, LEARN TO SHARE BETTER. WHEN THEY GET OLDER, THEY PROBABLY ARE LESS SELF ABSORBED. I HOPE THAT'S THE CASE. Richard: I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE IF THERE ARE MANY SINGLE CHILD FAMILIES THAT END UP BEING. AND WHAT KIND OF AN ADJUSTMENT THAT WOULD BE. NANCY, I'VE HEARD A STATISTIC THAT TWO-THIRDS OF THE ADOPTIONS 23 YOU HANDLE ARE ACTUALLY TO THE FOSTER PARENTS. THEY START OFF BEING FOSTER PARENTS AND END UP BEING PARENTS TWO-THIRDS OF THE TIME. RIGHT. AND A LOT OF THAT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS. WHILE WE ARE DOING CONCURRENT PLANNING NOW, CERTAINLY IN YEARS BEFORE WE WERE NOT DOING THAT. THAT HAS CONTINUED IN TERMS OF FOSTER PARENTS ARE OUR GREATEST RESOURCE IN TERMS OF ADOPTION AND IT IS ABOUT THEM GETTING TO KNOW AND LOVE THE CHILD AND AS YOU MENTIONED JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO, UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT TAKES IN ORDER TO SET BOUNDARIES AND SO FORTH AND REALLY HAVE LOVING RELATIONSHIPS ARE. Richard: SO WHO SHOULD AND SHOULDN'T CONSIDER ADOPTION? I MEAN CLEARLY THERE ARE CHILDREN OUT THERE WHO, YOU KNOW, NEED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF 24 A FAMILY, BUT WHAT SORT OF GUIDELINES WOULD YOU GIVE TO PARENTS OR WOULD BE PARENTS? WELL, I THINK THAT BASICALLY ANYONE WHO IS CONTEMPLATING ADOPTION SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES AS JUDGE MAR INDICATED EARLIER, RELATIVE TO WHAT IT MEANS TO ADOPT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, WHAT IT MEANS IN A PRIVATE ADOPTION, WHAT IT MEANS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION AND THE DIFFERENCES THERE. AND CERTAINLY IF, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WAYS THEY CAN GET THAT INFORMATION. A NUMBER OF PRIVATE AGENCIES THAT DO PRIVATE ADOPTIONS BUT THEY CAN CALL THE DIVISION AND OUR STAFF WILL WALK THEM THROUGH THAT AROUND WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES AND WHAT THEY COULD EXPECT. Richard: DO YOU HEAR FROM A LOT OF SINGLE PARENTS OR SINGLE 25 PEOPLE WHO PERHAPS DON'T HAVE A CHILD BUT WHO WOULD RAILROAD ADOPTING? YES OFTEN WE GET CALLS ON OUR PHONE LINE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE INQUIRING, SINGLE INDIVIDUALS AND MARRIED COUPLES ABOUT HOW TO BECOME FOSTER PARENTS AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS. Charlie: I'M JUST WONDERING BECAUSE THERE IS OFTEN A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC AND I WONDER HOW MUCH OF A. WHAT KIND OF SCREENING PROCESS THERE IS TO ENSURE THAT, YOU KNOW, A SINGLE PERSON COULD ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO BE A PARENT. WELL, THERE'S A HOME STUDY DONE IN EVERY INSTANCE AND NANCY WOULD BE THE FIRST TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE QUITE AN EXTENSIVE HOME STUDY, SO THAT'S THE FIRST ASPECT OF IT. I THINK WHAT WAS SAID BEFORE, IS THERE SOMETHING TO BE GAINED BY ADOPTING, WELL, CERTAINLY IT IS 26 A GIFT TO THAT CHILD, TO PROVIDE A STABLE HOME LIFE, BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS IS THE GIFTS THAT THAT PERSON WHO ADOPTS GETS, IT IS A TWO-WAY STREET. IT IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION. AND I'VE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADOPTED AND THEY WOULD SAY OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WE'VE RECEIVED FAR MORE THAN WE'VE GIVEN. Richard: IS THERE A SING 8 BIGGEST MYTH OR MISUNDERSTANDING THAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLEAR UP ABOUT THE ADOPTIVE CHILDREN WHO ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH DCYF? ONE OF THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS IS THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT THROUGH THE PUBLIC SECTOR, YOU HAVE TO PAY LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY IN ORDER TO ADOPT THESE CHILDREN. THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THERE IS NO COST, AND FOR THESE CHILDREN 27 THERE ARE ADOPTION SUBSIDIES, ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID AND CHILD CARE. WE HAVE BEEN DEVELOPING SOME ET POST-ADOPTION SUPPORTS THAT CAN HELP FAMILIES WITH THESE CHILDREN, SO THERE IS A WHOLE SUPPORT NETWORK OUT THERE INCLUDING THE STATE-WIDE ASSOCIATION BUT PARENTS ARE THERE FOR EACH OR. THERE ARE LOTS OF BENEFITS FOR THAT. Richard: THE COMMISSION THAT HAS STARTED, ALL THREE OF YOU ARE MEMBERS, MIKE, WHAT IS YOUR HOPE SOMETHING TO COME OUT OF THE COMMISSION AND ITS WORK? AGAIN, TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS THROUGH THE COURTS AND LET THE STATE LEGISLATURE KNOW WE NEED THE FUNDING TO DO THAT, TO GET THE CHILDREN THROUGH THE SYSTEM, AND INTO HAPPY HOMES. Richard: DO YOU THINK MUCH FUNDING WOULD BE NEEDED? 28 I THINK SOME FUNDING CERTAINLY WE CAN'T. WE MIGHT WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY IN TERMS SOME OF THE SERVICES THAT CAN BE APPLIED ET POST-ADOPTION, BUT AS MIKE JUST SAID, WE CAN BE MORE INNOVATIVE ABOUT HOW WE HANDLE THIS, AND AT THE LAST SESSION, THERE WAS TALK ABOUT OPEN ADOPTION FOR SOME OF THE CHILDREN THAT ARE OLDER. AND IT MIGHT FREE THEM UP SOONER WITH RELINQUISHMENTS RATHER THAN GOING THROUGH A YEAR OF TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, THEY MIGHT RELINQUISH IF THEY COULD HAVE SOME CONTACT UNDER COURT SUPERVISION. Richard: THAT WILL BE THE LAST WORD ON THIS FOR NOW. OKAY. Richard: I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US. |
| Intro Foster Grandparents Return to index of stories... |
And finally, a story about a different kind of fostering program. In the town of Northfield, a group of foster grandparents are lending a helping hand to the children in their community. Celene Ramadan has the story. |
| Foster Grandparents Return to index of stories... |
Foster Grandparents: JUANITA GEORGE HAS OVER 20 GRANDCHILDREN…IN THE CLASSROOM, THAT IS. JUANITA HELPS OUT AT THE UNION SANBORN SCHOOL IN NORTHFIELD AS A FOSTER GRANDPARENT. WHY?… Juanita Keeps me young! I enjoy being with the children and it really keeps you young. It's very rewarding when they come and say "can you help me with this?" and you can - and I like it. SUZAN GANNETT IS THE PRINICIPAL ON THE UNION SANBORN SCHOOL. THIS SCHOOL HAS HAD GRAMMYS AND GRAMPYS IN THE CLASSROOM FOR OVER 20 YEARS. Suzan We're participating in the Foster Grandparents program for what our kids get out of it. It really helps to bridge the generation gap. They've always got a smiling face in the morning and they greet the kids as they come in the door and we have another one of the teachers that drives one of our foster grandparents to work so that she can still come so we've made a joint commitment and it's a real partnership. And it gives a feeling of family here in this building, which we appreciate. Juanita I like it so much I'm here most of the time! I work four days a week 7:30 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. And course I'm not constantly working, we have our snack time and I have my lunch and that's another good thing - I get my lunch! JUANITA, OR "GRAMMY GEORGE", SPENT MOST OF HER LIFE WORKING AS A NURSE. Juanita Getting close to fifty years I thought…ehh, I'll try something different. And this is good. It's good. We're helping our future citizens, maybe future nurses - how do I know? HELPING TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE FUTURE AND THE PAST IS THE GOAL OF THE FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM. JIM DOREMUS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FRIENDS PROGRAM, SAYS HE APPRECIATES THE BOND THAT GROWS BETWEEN A FOSTER GRANDPARENT AND A CHILD. Jim If you could see a child talk about their FG that says it all. Because you'll it in their face, their eyes, their expression and it's the love that they feel and have for those FGs and it's very special. Jim We've seen people who have graduated from high school and then run into one of the people who was their FG and there's still that connection there that is really special. So what is really, I think, neat about this aside form the relationship with the senior is that is really is that it's community based it maintains itself. And so that makes it even more powerful. THE EXTRA HELP AND ATTENTION IN THE CLASSROOM IS A BENEFIT FOR BOTH THE CHILDREN AND THE TEACHERS. BUT FOR THE SENIORS THEMSELVES, THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER SET OF ADVANTAGES. Jim There are benefits to this that are fairly tangible - they receive a non-taxable stipend, they also have access to health care and they receive at their site maybe transportation to and from the site. They may also receive a meal as a part of their service. Jim I think most importantly that they derive that's of the most value that it gives these folks, these seniors, an opportunity to be re-engaged in the community in a highly meaningful way. We all need that. That's essential for us for our own sense of being and I think that's the most important thing. PLUS, THE FOSTER GRANDPARENTS GET TO BE CALLED THINGS LIKE "GRAMMY" Juanita Do you like that the kids call you grammy? It doesn't bother me a bit because they say it so sweetly - that it - it really is nice. Suzan Yeah, they call them grammy. We all call them grammy. So it's grammy brown and grammy george and grammy raffley so we all call them that. THE GRAMMYS ALSO DO A GREAT DEAL OF LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM. Well, I think it has broadened my view of what you have to do to get education in progress. I thought you just unlocked the doors and the kids came in - but there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that people don't know about. Preparations for the classes, continuing education for the teachers and it's quite a program to get into really - education is. GETTING MORE SENIORS INTO THE FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR JIM. Jim There's always a need for FGs people who are 60 years or older who like to be involved working with children - with a flexible schedule I encourage you to look into this. Juanita I certainly would recommend it for any grammy or grandpa - the men, too. The men would probably be happier in an older class like second, third grade - but yes, I would recommend it just to brighten up your life, too. Doesn't it? They'll say hi to you, too. And I would recommend it highly. FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK, I'M CELENE RAMADAN. JUANITA - "I'M BACK". |
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| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - New England’s first annual Lobster Pot Sled Hockey Tournament. We followed the Northeast Passage Crushers into the tournament. Their success is an inspirational story, both on the ice and off. |
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We'll see you next time. Thanks for watching. |
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Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. The first annual Lobster Pot Sled Hockey Tournament. It's an inspirational story, both on the ice and off. Join us tonight at 10:00 on New Hampshire. |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/29/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 19:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, making adoption easier for both children and parents. And later, it's a fostering program that's brought one community together. Meet some of the grandma's and grandpa's of the Union Sanborn School. It now takes an average of 3 and a half years to adopt a child in New Hampshire. The sheer length of that process can often deter would-be parents, and leave young children spending much of their life between families. There are now calls for action to shorten the process and make adoption easier. We'll talk about some of those initiatives in a moment, but first - a reminder that although November was proclaimed adoption awareness month, the needs of children seeking a family continue year-round. Joining us in-studio - Nancy Rollins, director of the state Division of Children, Youth and Families, Mike Sielicki, President of the NH Foster/Adoptive Parents Association, and Judge John Maher, administrative justice of the NH Probate Court. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Nancy Rollins\Director, NH DCYF, Mike Sielicki\President, NH Foster/Adoptive Parents, Judge John Maher\Administrative Justice, NH Probate Court, Lisa Marrow\Adoptive Parent, Barbara Printy\Foster/Adoptive Parent |
| key: Family / Marriage Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/29/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 19:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, making adoption easier for both children and parents. And later, it's a fostering program that's brought one community together. Meet some of the grandma's and grandpa's of the Union Sanborn School. It now takes an average of 3 and a half years to adopt a child in New Hampshire. The sheer length of that process can often deter would-be parents, and leave young children spending much of their life between families. There are now calls for action to shorten the process and make adoption easier. We'll talk about some of those initiatives in a moment, but first - a reminder that although November was proclaimed adoption awareness month, the needs of children seeking a family continue year-round. Joining us in-studio - Nancy Rollins, director of the state Division of Children, Youth and Families, Mike Sielicki, President of the NH Foster/Adoptive Parents Association, and Judge John Maher, administrative justice of the NH Probate Court. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Nancy Rollins\Director, NH DCYF, Mike Sielicki\President, NH Foster/Adoptive Parents, Judge John Maher\Administrative Justice, NH Probate Court, Lisa Marrow\Adoptive Parent, Barbara Printy\Foster/Adoptive Parent |
| key: Family / Marriage Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/29/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 6:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, making adoption easier for both children and parents. And later, it's a fostering program that's brought one community together. Meet some of the grandma's and grandpa's of the Union Sanborn School. And finally, a story about a different kind of fostering program. In the town of Northfield, a group of foster grandparents are lending a helping hand to the children in their community. Celene Ramadan has the story. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Celene Ramadan NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Juanita George\Foster Grandparent, Suzan Gannett\Principal, Union Sanborn School, Jim Doremus \Executive Director, Friends Program |
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 12/29/03 22:00 HOST: Richard Ager Length: 6:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, making adoption easier for both children and parents. And later, it's a fostering program that's brought one community together. Meet some of the grandma's and grandpa's of the Union Sanborn School. And finally, a story about a different kind of fostering program. In the town of Northfield, a group of foster grandparents are lending a helping hand to the children in their community. Celene Ramadan has the story. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Celene Ramadan NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Juanita George\Foster Grandparent, Suzan Gannett\Principal, Union Sanborn School, Jim Doremus \Executive Director, Friends Program |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |