ADOPTUSKIDS TO HONOR CASEWORKERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Machias, Maine - August 1, 2008 – AdoptUsKids announced today that Ms. Shannon Sobolak of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services is the August 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. Sobolak has worked in this career for over 8 years. Ms. Sobolak 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 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 Smith family stated “Because of her endless commitment to our family, we would like to nominate Shannon Sobolak as the case worker of the month. We have worked with her on several occasions during the past 4 years. Regardless of the situation, whether it was "bad" or "good" she was there for us. Her bubbly personality always left us laughing. She was always up front and honest with us. This is a very important trait for us and we admire Shannon for this. Shannon is also a person who stops to chat regardless where she sees you. This is another trait that we admire. While Shannon carries a very heavy caseload, she always has time for us. There have even been times she has had to return telephone calls after hours. Even then she is very cheerful. Shannon has a true love for the children that she works with. At a recent adoption, she was actually in tears as she was so happy that this child had found a forever home. As a case worker, Shannon is irreplaceable and as a friend she is fantastic.“
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. Sobolak . 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. Sobolak said, “The Smith’s have always had an open home and heart for a child in need. They look at children as individuals with unique strengths that need to be built upon rather than focusing on the labels they are assigned due to diagnosis and behaviors.”
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.
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
The mission of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services is to provide integrated health and human services to the people of Maine to assist individuals in meeting their needs, while respecting the rights and preferences of the individual and family, within available resources.
Contact:
Kate Kirkpatrick
kkirkpatrick@adoptuskids.org
(717) 545-5251