Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
Formation 2001
Headquarters Washington, DC
Executive Director
 Becky Weichhand
Website

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is an American non-partisan, non-profit organization "dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes through adoption; and to eliminating the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family."[1] CCAI seeks to educate and inform Members of Congress in adoption, foster care, and child welfare issues that affect their constituents. This is done through congressional briefings, leadership training programs, educational trips, and other notable programs.[2] The Institute's work is entirely funded by donations and gifts from organizations and individuals like the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption[3] and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.[4]

Angels in Adoption

CCAI is known for its annual Angels in Adoption award, which allows Members of Congress to nominate a constituent for their work in the adoption, foster care, and child welfare community.[5] Each year, there are several National Angels, individuals or groups that work on a national or global level, are honored. Past recipients include Alonzo Mourning,[6] Darryl McDaniels,[7] Laura Bush,[8] Jane Seymour,[9] Bruce Willis,[10] and Rosie O'Donnell.[11]

Jerry Sandusky was given an Angels in Adoption Award in 2002 for his work with the Second Mile Foundation. It was rescinded in 2011 in response to child sexual abuse charges against Sandusky.[12][13]

Foster Youth Internship

The Foster Youth Internship program places undergraduate and graduate college students who have been in the foster care system in congressional offices for a summer.[14] The purpose of the program is "to bring attention to the policy and procedural barriers that trap children in the foster care system."[15] The experience is documented at the end of each year's program as a briefing to Members of Congress and the press, highlighting urgent and continuing issues in foster child welfare.[16]

National Adoption Day

CCAI is also a partner of National Adoption Day, a day to bring attention to children awaiting permanent homes and adoptive families.[17]

References

  1. ↑ CCAI Mission Statement, accessed October 19, 2009 Archived August 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ "About CCAI", accessed October 19, 2009
  3. ↑ "Empowering Parents Through Conversation", accessed October 19, 2009 Archived June 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ "Grant Detail", accessed October 19, 2009
  5. ↑ "Van Hollen Honors Lori Weinstein as an Angel in Adoption", accessed October 19, 2009
  6. ↑ "Congresswoman Jean Schmidt Honors Carole Adlard as an Angel in Adoption To Be Recognized at National Event in Washington, DC", accessed October 19, 2009
  7. ↑ "Run DMC McDaniels Honored for Foster Work", accessed October 19, 2009
  8. ↑ "Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Honors Local and National Angels in Adoption", accessed October 19, 2009
  9. ↑ "Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Honors Michael J. McMahon of the Gladney Center for Adoption as an Angel in Adoption To Be Recognized at National Event in Washington, DC", accessed October 19, 2009
  10. ↑ "Bruce Willis Receives National Angel in Adoption Award", accessed October 19, 2009
  11. ↑ "Music News Archive", accessed October 19, 2009
  12. ↑ "A Statement from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (11/10/2011)" (Press release). Angels in Adoption. November 15, 2011. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011.
  13. ↑ Fitzgerald, Thomas (November 9, 2011). "Santorum sponsored honor for accused PSU Coach". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Youth Scholarships", accessed October 19, 2009
  15. ↑ "Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute director Kathleen Strottman discusses Orphan movie", accessed October 19, 2009
  16. ↑ "Members of Congress Honor Foster Youth Interns, Highlight Need for Foster Children to Have Permanent Families", accessed October 19, 2009
  17. ↑ "Partners", accessed October 19, 2009
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