In This Issue:

• Message from Rachel Pratt
• Renew Your Membership in AEA
• 2008 Ellen Carey Award
• Help AdoptUsKids Find More Media Families Nationwide

Message from Rachel Pratt

It is November again—a month of thanks, the beginning of a season of holidays, a historic Presidential election in the United States, and the month when the entire country stops what it is doing to reflect on adoption.  May our work this month and every day of the new administration inspire a renewed sense of urgency for the children and families we serve.

Happy holidays and best wishes.

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Renew Your Membership in AEA

Why should your organization become a member of the Adoption Exchange Association?  As a member, YOU are the Adoption Exchange Association and have a voice in shaping the organization and how it serves you.   All membership levels include features and assistance to help you run your organizations and get more children adopted. 

Individual and Organization Membership

• Monthly electronic AEA newsletter sent to your home or office (printed version available if preferred)
• One copy of all new AEA and AdoptUsKids publications (new members receive copies of past publications as well)
• Members only use of Adopt Air services
• Your organization’s link on the membership page of the AEA website
• 25% discount for one (1) attendee at the AEA Conference
• Opportunities to get out the word about your organizations through articles in the AEA newsletter
• The chance to participate in the planning of the AEA conference.

Premier Membership
All of the above plus:

• Your organization’s link on the home page of the AEA website
• 50% discount for one (1) attendee at the AEA Conference and 25% discount for up to four (4) more attendees
• The opportunity to enroll first in new organizational support features as they are developed, including shared purchasing and discount subscriptions.
• The chance to be the first to test new interactive members-only features on the AEA website! 

<<Renew your membership online>>

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2008 Ellen Carey Award

The 2008 Ellen Carey Scholarship was awarded in Washington, D.C. in October during the Children’s Bureau's Permanency to Practice Dialogue.  This year’s recipient, Latrisha T. Sanders-Wright is a second year MSW student at Howard University who will graduate May 2009.  Ms. Sanders-Wright received a Bachelor of Science degree from Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. 
Latrisha Sanders-Wright's work experience has included positions with the National Association of Former Foster Care Children of America where she facilitated the Teen Moms Independent Living Program for at-risk youths between 15-21 years of age, and as a Family Support Worker with For Love of Children, Washington, DC.  Currently, Latrisha Sanders-Wright is employed with the District of Columbia Child and Family Services, where she coordinates family team meeting for at-risk youth and their families in the Washington DC Metropolitan area.
It was an honor to be joined at the award ceremony by so many of Ellen Carey’s friends, her daughter Michelle Carey and her partner Annette Jenkel.  Ms. Sanders-Wright was joined by her husband, grandmother, and her 18 month old son.

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Help AdoptUsKids Find More Media Families Nationwide

As you know, AdoptUsKids is dedicated to increasing the public awareness of children in foster care who are available for adoption.   Members of the Adoption Exchange Association are an important part of our national media outreach.  We receive many requests from radio, television and print reporters across the country. We have available spokesfamilies who are willing to participate in these interviews.  However, we still need more families!  If you know families who might be interested—families who speak either Spanish or English and who have experience with adoption and foster care— please ask them to contact:   

Please tell your families that they are the best voices for adoption!  We also understand that each family has many commitments and therefore may need to decline an invitation to participate in an event or interview. By agreeing to be a spokesperson, it is not assumed that they will be available to participate at all times! Please contact Kate directly if you have questions.  Thanks so much!          

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Because all children need families, the Adoption Exchange Association serves its members by stimulating innovative solutions, eliminating barriers, advocating, educating, and sharing excellent practice.  Our central goal is to assist and encourage our members nationwide as they find adoptive families for all children and youth who wait in foster care.