URGENT CALL TO ACTION

Hi FSA Members and Friends,

I am forwarding an email I received from Steve Sunday and NCFA about a need for phone calls and emails (not letters in this case) to our Representatives (not Senators) in the United States House of Representatives urging him or her to help pass some federal legislation that would help kids from Haiti and other international adoptees in the process of obtaining citizenship here in the United States.

The NCFA email is kind of long and uses the legal language of the legislation. I am attaching some links that simplify the issues.

http://www.gop.gov/bill/111/2/hr5283 (go to the BACKGROUND Section)

http://www.adoptionpolicy.org/ (This article says the bill will go to the President and we hope so, but the bill may be "tabled" before it gets there, thereby preventing it from becoming law.)

So, take a second and call or email. For example, in Utah call or email your representative who is one of the following:

Rob Bishop 202.225.0453 (website www.robbishop.house.gov)

Jason Chafetz 202.225.7751 (website www.chafetz.house.gov)

Jim Matheson 202.225.3011 (website www.matheson.house.gov)

(For example, I just called Congressman Chaftez's office and let the secretary know I was in support of helping expedite international adoptions, especially those from Haiti at this time, and would urge the Congressman to pay attention to this bill.)

To find contact information for your Representative simply go to www.house.gov and enter in your zip code in the top left corner. Your Representative's information will show up.

Here's a sample email that you may use:

I am in support of helping expedite international adoptions, especially those from Haiti at this time, and would urge the Congressman to pay attention to this bill.

International Adoption Simplification Act – S. 1376 and the Help Haiti Act of 2010 – HR 5283

Thank for all you do!

Let's spread the word! Thank you for your help! I am available to take questions sent to myutahlawyer@gmail.com.

Michelle Mitchell

FSA National, Legislation

Please Note: Please only represent yourself as a concerned citizen and not as LDSFS or FSA.

LDS Family Needed

Contact Kathy Searle at the Utah Adoption Exchange if you are interested in adopting Sophie.

801.265.0444

Sophie was born on September 18, 1997 in Vladivostok Russia. Her mother was unable to care for her so she was raised in a Russian orphanage until she was adopted in August of 2001. Her current adoptive family adopted participated in some humanitarian work with “Mothers for the Children of Russia”.

Sophie made the transition from the orphanage to family life quickly. She learned English at a surprisingly fast rate. Due to some inaccuracies with the paperwork in Russia she was put in kindergarten earlier than she should have. This resulted in her repeating kindergarten. She was in regular classes until 3rd grade when she was moved to a “cluster class” that could help more closely with the learning challenges that she brought with her from the orphanage. The closer supervision of the cluster class has allowed her to learn at the pace that she needs. Sophie is now a couple of months into 7th grade.

Sophie enjoys outside activities such as riding her bike and scooter, jumping on the trampoline (flips included) playing soccer and basketball. Her favorite is playing “horse” where her good shot with a basketball makes it not matter that she is shorter than average. She loves a swimming pool, particularly ones that have slides and water toys to play on. Inside, she likes doing word search puzzles. She enjoys video games like any kid, but mostly the more active ones like baseball, bowling and boxing on the Wii. She is just beginning on the piano, but has an innate musical desire. In one visit to the orphanage, she was given the choice to play with any toy available and she chose the xylophone. While that talent is not developed there yet, the desire is in her.

Soon after Sophie’s adoption, an auto accident started a long journey with a rare autoimmune disease in her new adoptive mother. This condition causes her mom to be in bed much of the time and on oxygen. Stress increases her symptoms. Sophie has had a difficult time with her mothers’ illness and has great fears of loosing her mother. She has been diagnosed with attachment issues. Because of her mother’s illness Sophie was with a respite family for 6 months last year and did very well. When she returned home attachments issues resurfaced and her mothers health also declined.

Sophie has been with a respite family for 3 months now and has done quite well. She needs a family that can love her and dedicate themselves to helping her flourish. This family would not be looking for another adoptive home if the adoptive mothers’ health was not so precarious. They feel they don’t have the emotional and physical resources to truly give her what she needs.

Nice Moment from the Northeast Regional Conference

The Northeast Regional FSA Conference was recently held in Kirtland, Ohio. At the end of the conference, they held a balloon launch signifying the end of a very successful event.

What a fun idea!