AdoptUsKids to Honor Caseworkers for their Dedication to Children and Families
Jefferson County, Colorado, May 5, 2009 – AdoptUsKids announced today that Ms. Amy Tedesco a caseworker in the C-Permanency Unit of the Jefferson County Division of Children, Youth and Families in Jefferson County, Colorado is the May recipient of its Caseworker of the Month award. This award is part of AdoptUsKids’ national initiative which celebrates caseworkers for their dedication to children and families. More information about Ms. Tedesco and excerpts from her nomination by Valton, Diamond and Christine Landrum, the adoptive family that nominated her, can be found along with this month’s award announcement on www.adoptuskids.org and www.adopte1.org.
Thousands of foster, adoptive and kinship families across the United States rely on their caseworkers every day to connect them to vital services, offer support and guidance, and ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of children in the foster care system.
Nearly 300,000 children in the United States enter the foster care system each year. Over half of these children will return to their parents, while the remainder of them will stay in the foster system awaiting identification of an alternate permanent family. Currently there are 496,000 children in the foster care system; approximately 130,000 are waiting for permanent families. Over 20,000 children “age out” of the system each year without being adopted. About half of the children in foster care are children of color, with older African American boys waiting the longest for adoption.
Christine Landrum wrote, “Amy has demonstrated compassion, dedication, cultural sensitivity, a sense of humor, and a sincere commitment to the well-being of our daughter and our family. She has been a champion for our daughter’s permanency.”
Reflecting on this recipient of the Caseworker of the Month initiative, AdoptUsKids’ Project Director, Kathy Ledesma said, “Amy Tedesco’s work with the Landrum family is a shining example of the excellent work that public and private child welfare agency caseworkers do everyday across the United States."
After being nominated for this award, Ms. Tedesco stated “I could not have asked for a better adoptive family for any of my children and I would be pleased and honored if I receive the chance to work with them again in the future.”
The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids
The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids is a multi-faceted, five-year, federally funded project. Its mission is to assist States and Tribes in their efforts to recruit and connect foster and adoptive families with waiting children throughout the United States. The Collaboration is managed by the Adoption Exchange Association (AEA) based in Baltimore, Maryland, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children's Bureau. For more information, call AdoptUsKids at (888) 200-4005.
Jefferson County Division of Children, Youth and Families in Jefferson County, Colorado
The Division of Children, Youth and Families investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect. The Division provides protective services to children and youth who are at-risk, or are victims of child abuse or neglect. Jefferson County uses Family-to-Family practice to provide services and support for the children, youth and families in the child welfare system. For more information, call (303) 271-4015.
Contact:
Kate Kirkpatrick
kkirkpatrick@adoptuskids.org
(717) 545-5251