ADOPTUSKIDS TO HONOR CASEWORKERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Ocala, FL - May 5, 2008 – AdoptUsKids announced today that Ms. Cookie Sturgeon of the Children's Home Society of Florida in Ocala, FL is the May winner of their Caseworker of the Month award. This is part of a new national initiative celebrating caseworkers for their dedication to children and families nationwide. Ms. Sturgeon is featured on adoptuskids.org and adopte1.org in the words of the adoptive family that nominated her and is recognized by her supervisor as well.
Thousands of 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.
Approximately 300,000 children in the United States enter the foster care system each year. While about 54 percent of these children will return to their parents, the other 46 percent remain in the system. Currently there are 510,000 children in the foster care system and 129,000 are waiting for an adoptive family. Approximately 26,000 children “age out” of the system each year without ever being adopted. About half of the children in foster care are children of color, with older African American boys waiting the longest for adoption.
The Van Hoose family stated: "Cookie is great! I wish there were more workers like her. Any prospective adoptive family would be lucky to have Cookie as their case manager. We know it takes a special person to work in this field but with Cookie's combination of sensitivity and determination she's a great worker and we were very lucky to have her as our case manager."
Reflecting on this recipient of the Caseworker of the Month initiative, AdoptUsKids’ Project Director, Barbara Holtan said, “As a social worker myself, I am delighted that we can offer this recognition to Ms. Sturgeon. Adoption and foster care workers rarely receive the acknowledgement that they should receive for the life-changing work that they do on behalf of children and families.”
After being nominated for this award, Ms. Sturgeon said, “It's hard work but I love my job. I am where I'm supposed to be and I am doing what I'm meant to do. Thank you so much. I feel very privileged.”
The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids
The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids is a multi-faceted, five-year, federally funded project. Its mission is 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 Children's Bureau of HHS.
Children's Home Society of Florida
Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) recently marked 105 years of nurturing children and strengthening families, and we realize that the children we serve today are not unlike those we served when we opened our doors in 1902. Many share the hurt and disappointment of a shattered family and broken promises. All long to feel love, acceptance and stability. For these children and so many more, we offer hope and guidance…we provide families with opportunities for success and happiness.
Contact:
Kate Kirkpatrick
kkirkpatrick@adoptuskids.org
(717) 545-5251