DELAWARE VALLEY ADOPTION COUNCIL
www.delvaladopt.org
Meeting Location
Chester County Children, Youth & Families
601 Westtown Road
West Chester, Pa.
Scheduled Training November 16, 2011 10:00am – 12:00pm
Training topic:
ACT 101 and the Implementation, Implications and Challenges to County Agencies
Presenters:
Laura Bauer & Shadell Quinones
BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES: November 2011
Acceptance of Minutes
The minutes from the October 2011 meeting will be sent with the November minutes.
Children and Families:
Chester County has a sibling group of two located in Pittsburg. Their placement is disrupting and the county is collecting profiles for interested families. If you have a possible adoptive placement, please contact Rena Davis, at 610 – 344 – 5892, to learn more about these children.
OFFICERS REPORTS:
Chairperson – Kelly Myers- kmyers@bethanna.org
- Please remember to sign up for a committee. You have the ability to sign up for one on the sign in sheet. The list of DVAC Committees and the committee needs are attached to the minutes. If there are any questions regarding the committees please contact the listed chairs.
- OCYF awarded $920.00 to DVAC for the adoption awareness event that will be held in conjunction with the matching event in Montgomery County on November 21, 2011. Kelly Myers and Karen Park will be holding two information sessions during the event for community members to learn more about the adoption process, de-bunk some adoption myths, and then the families will have the opportunity to walk through the matching rooms and meet the agencies that are present. The monies awarded will be used for advertising in the Montgomery County papers, buying small supplies, such as folders and name tags, and DVAC will also contribute money to the food cost during the event.
- The holiday party will take place after the next DVAC training. It was agreed to have a catered luncheon and dessert directly following the training. Each person staying will be asked to give $5.00 towards the cost of the food.
Vice-Chair – Sarah Janiszewski – sjaniszewski@concern4kids.org
Treasurer – Eileen O’Connell- eoconnell@bestnest.org
- No report. However, the budget will be presented for voting at the next DVAC meeting.
Secretary – Karen Park – kpark@childrenschoice.org
COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORTS:
Membership Committee-Sheina Martinez- smartinez@adopt.org
Sheina has her eye on a couple of adoption agencies that have come out to events. If you are aware of an agency that is not apart of the DVAC membership, how about inviting them to a training and meeting? Please let Sheina know.
Nominating Committee- Florence Rue – Florence_Rue@use.salvationarmy.org
Slate of officers was presented and is attached to the minutes. The slate will be voted on at the December DVAC meeting. If you are interested in one of the chairs, please contact Kelly Myers.
Legislative Committee:
Pennsylvania- Shadell Quinones (squinones@chesco.org )
Shadell distinguished the difference between the sibling visit requirements in Fostering Connection and the Juvenile Law. Fostering Connections dictates monthly visits with siblings and the Juvenile Law dictates siblings should visit every two weeks.
No other report was given.
New Jersey- No Report
Delaware- Frank Perfinski (frank.perfinski@state.de.us )
No Report
Education and Training Committee:
Louis Couderc- lac1286@verizon.net
December – Darla Henry will be presenting “Talking with Adolescents: Taking Their Perspective on Fears, Feelings and Frustration”. This training will be held at the Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth (PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION).
January 2012 – this will be an ethics training and 3 CEU’s will be available. This training will be located at the Chester County Children, Youth and Families location.
February – June 2012 – trainings will be located at the Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth. Thank you to all for the flexibility in training location changes!
Public Relations Committee:
Lea Moyer – moyerl@diakon.org
No report
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUISNESS:
The question was raised about the meeting time. Is it possible to have the business meeting prior to the training? Kelly felt that was a question to discuss at the Executive Officer’s Meeting following the business meeting.
AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
On November 18, 2011, Chester County will be holding their annual adoption event. There will be 5 adoptions occurring this day. What a great day for Chester County!
Chester County is currently hiring an adoption supervisor. Please send interested resumes to Shadell Quinones. Applicants do not need an MSW nor do they have to take the civil service exam.
Best Nest is celebrating their 25th Anniversary on November 19, 2011, from 10-12 in Jenkintown, Pa. Congratulations Best Nest!
Bucks County will be holding a matching event on November 30, 2011. A flyer will be distributed for details.
Children’s Choice, Inc. has begun a Post Adoption Support Group. The meetings are held on the 3rd Saturday of every month, and begin at 11am. The location is at the South Philadelphia office of Children’s Choice, 1835 South Broad Street in Philadelphia. If you have an interested family, please contact Amy Holmes, at 215-316-2034.
Respectfully submitted by,
Karen L. Park
Secretary
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