ADOPTUSKIDS TO HONOR CASEWORKERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Fort Worth, Texas - November 10, 2008 – AdoptUsKids announced today that Ms. Kimberly Craddock of The Gladney Center for Adoption is the November 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. Craddock is featured on adoptuskids.org and adopte1.org in the words of the Alfaro 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 Alfaro family stated “We could tell from the get-go that Kimberly was enthusiastic, dedicated and loved what she did. Adoption can be such a scary road and there are so many unknowns and so many questions. Kimberly took us by the hand and educated us. She answered our questions with care and compassion. During moments of uncertainty on our part, she never imposed her personal opinion, but always helped us to find our own answers and make our own decisions.”
Reflecting on this recipient of the Caseworker of the Month initiative, AdoptUsKids’ Project Director, Kathy Ledesma said, "The personal interest that Kimberly Craddock has demonstrated in helping the Alfaro family to achieve their dreams of adoption is exemplary."
After being nominated for this award, Ms. Craddock said, “Adoption is not just something I do; it’s my passion. Being able to work toward your passion all day every day is a tremendous blessing, and for that I am truly thankful.“
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) 200-4005.
The Gladney Center for Adoption
Today, the Gladney Center for Adoption is an international leader in adoption services, placing more than 28,000 children in forever homes and assisting more than 37,000 birth mothers. The agency is licensed to complete home studies for families in Texas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. As a not-for-profit, licensed adoption agency, Gladney is helping to create bright futures around the world.
Contact:
Kate Kirkpatrick
kkirkpatrick@adoptuskids.org
(717) 545-5251