ADOPTUSKIDS TO HONOR CASEWORKERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Pittsburg, KS, January 1, 2008 – AdoptUsKids announced today that Ms. Dana Ison of Kansas Children's Service League in Pittsburg, KS is the January 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. Ison, who is a licensed social worker with her bachelor’s degree, has worked in this career for over 6 years. Ms. Ison is featured on adoptuskids.org and adopte1.org in the words of the adoptive family that nominated her.
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 514,000 children in the foster care system and 115,000 are waiting for an adoptive family. Approximately 24,000 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 Cross family of Baxter Springs, Kansas nominated their caseworker, Dana Ison. The Cross family stated, “We know we are truly blessed to have been given Dana, and hope that with our next adoption we will be able to work with her again.”
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. Ison. 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. Ison said, "I really enjoy working with the Cross adoptive family. The successes the twins have exhibited due to being placed in this adoptive home has amazed me time and time again. This family truly makes my job easy!"
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.
Kansas Children's Service League
Kansas Children's Service League has provided a continuum of programs and services for more than 100 years. KCSL has advocated for children and collaborated with public and private agencies to impact the lives of more than 40,000 children and families each year. KCSL is dedicated to providing services and advocacy efforts that focus on keeping children safe, families strong, and communities involved. For more information, call toll free at 1-877-530-5275.
Contact:
Kate Kirkpatrick
kkirkpatrick@adoptuskids.org
(717) 545-5251