Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to Host 23rd Annual Adoption Conference
LANCASTER, Pa., June 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Ted Dallas today kicked-off the 23rd Annual Pennsylvania Permanency Conference to be held from June 24 through 26 at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center.
"We have had 38,000 adoptions since our Statewide Adoption Permanency Network (SWAN) began in 1992, but we still have work to do," said Dallas. "As long as there is one child in need of a safe, permanent home, we will continue our efforts of finding more ways to reunite them with their families or find permanent connections. These kids need our help to find safe and loving homes."
There are approximately 15,000 Pennsylvania children in foster care on any given day and 2,500 looking to be adopted.
The three-day event is attended by child welfare professionals, current and prospective foster or adoptive families, kinship care providers and others with a vested interest in child welfare and permanency. The conference is designed to:
- train participants to prepare children and their families on their journey through the child welfare system towards permanency;
- educate and support all those involved in finding permanent homes for Pennsylvania's foster children; and
- provide an opportunity for prospective families to be matched with children.
This year's conference theme is "Meet the Kids." Attendees will be encouraged to meet children in Pennsylvania's foster care system. The conference also includes an awards ceremony recognizing those who help children and youth achieve permanent connections.
To learn more go to www.adoptpakids.org, or call 1-800-585-SWAN. Follow SWAN on Facebook at "Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network".
Media contact: Kait Gillis, 717-425-7606
This year's award winners include:
Permanent Family Recognition Award
Families selected have provided legalized permanency for a child or children in the child welfare system:
- Jason and Christine Dickinson, Berks County
- Eric and Jennifer Lewis, Lancaster County
- Laurie Manley, Montgomery County
- Todd and Liz Waits, Allegheny County
Philanthropy Recognition
The organization selected demonstrates a significant charitable comittment that promotes the permanency of children in foster care:
- Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church
Permanency Teamwork Recognition
Teams selected exemplify a collaborative effort to promote the permanency of children with special needs:
- Katie Ashman, Project STAR/ The Children's Institute
- Oressa Cambell, Esq. , Pike County
- Russ McCurdy, Project STAR/ The Children's Institute
- Sara Wentz, Wayne County Children and Youth Services
County Collaborative Recognition
This award recognizes a collaborative effort between a county court and a county children and youth agency that expedites permanency:
- Lycoming County Children and Youth Services
- Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas
- Union County Children and Youth Services
- Union County Court of Common Pleas
Permanency Advocate Recognition
This award recognizes a dynamic individual who demonstrates a commitment to building cooperative relationships to expedite the permanency process:
- The Honorable John D. Kuhn, Adams County Court of Common Pleas
Independent Living Professional Recognition
The individual selected for this award has demonstrated that they have helped youth transition into becoming successful contributing members of society:
- Chris Svec, Wesley Spectrum
Permanency Professional Recognition
Individuals selected to receive this award are permanency professionals working in a public or private child welfare agency:
- Nicolas Landon, Family Pathways
Youth Advocate Recognition ·
- Rodney Conners Arrington, Northampton County
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
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