ADOPTUSKIDS TO HONOR CASEWORKERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Houston, Texas - October 6, 2008 – AdoptUsKids announced today that Ms. Joni DeSoto of DePelchin Children's Center is the October winner of their Caseworker of the Month award. This award is part of a national initiative celebrating caseworkers for their dedication to children and families nationwide. Ms. DeSoto has worked in this career for 17 years. Ms. DeSoto 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 293,000 children in the United States entered 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 until an alternate permanent family is found for them. Currently there are 496,000 children in the foster care system, and 130,000 are waiting for a permanent family. Over 20,000 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 Landry family stated “Joni is so down to earth, sincere, caring, thoughtful and ALWAYS keeping her families close to her heart. She truly cares about the families and the children. Her experience is invaluable and you know she does it because she has a passion for helping others. She has touched our lives, our hearts and our spirits. She is truly a blessing to all she serves and deserves to be recognized for her dedication, commitment and professionalism.”
Reflecting on this recipient of the Caseworker of the Month initiative, AdoptUsKids’ Interim Project Director, Kathy Ledesma said, "The personal interest that Joni DeSoto has demonstrated in helping both the Landry family and the children they have adopted to achieve their dreams of adoption is exemplary."
After being nominated for this award, Ms. DeSoto said, “I am the one that is blessed with the work that I do. In this job, I am constantly amazed by the huge hearts and selfless devotion of our adoptive parents. This family not only stepped up to the plate to care for five (5) very young children, but have shown the deep desire to have each one of these children succeed to their highest potential.”
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. For more information, call AdoptUsKids at (888) 222-4005.
DePelchin Children's Center
Recognizing that a child's needs are best met in a family environment, DePelchin Children's Center strengthens the lives of children and their families in our community by providing a continuum of services to prevent and resolve social and emotional crises. For information or to set up an appointment, call (888) 730-2335.
Contact:
Kate Kirkpatrick
kkirkpatrick@adoptuskids.org
(717) 545-5251