8/4/2011

Washington – For its work in expanding the pool of highly qualified families for children in need of a loving and forever home, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s “All Children – All Families” (ACAF) initiative, will receive the Corporate Award for Special Achievement in Adoption by the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) at the organization’s 37th Annual conference in Denver on August 6, 2011.  This marks the first time NACAC has awarded an LGBT-specific organization or program for work in the child welfare field.    

“We are honored to accept this award on behalf of the thousands of LGBT families across the country who have opened their hearts and homes to a child, and more importantly, the hundreds of thousands of children who are waiting for their “forever family,” said Ellen Kahn HRC’s Family Project Director and a professional social worker.  “This award is not about us, but the children and youth who need and deserve a permanent family.”

“On behalf of the entire Board and staff of NACAC, I want to congratulate HRC for their groundbreaking work in helping to remove barriers to adoption,” said Dr. Ruth McRoy, NACAC President.  “Their efforts over the past five years have made a real difference in the child welfare world.”

“Because of All Children—All Families, adoption professionals and advocates have become more engaged, better educated, and more empowered to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status when it comes to finding families for children and youth in foster care.  We applaud their great work,” added Joe Kroll, NACAC Executive Director.

The “All Children – All Families” initiative, launched in 2007 by the HRC Family Project, aims to promote policies and practices that welcome LGBT foster and adoptive parents.  The program seeks to enhance LGBT competence among child welfare professionals and educate LGBT people about opportunities to become foster or adoptive parents to waiting children.  ACAF’s primary goal is to help agencies expand the pool of highly qualified families by removing barriers that stand between children and youth in care, and the thousands of LGBT individuals and couples who want to foster or adopt.  ACAF has 50 participating agencies across the country, and has awarded 13 seals of recognition. More information about the initiative can be found at www.hrc.org/acaf.

In North America, tens of thousands of children cannot remain with their birth families. These children—once labeled unadoptable or hard to place—are mostly school-aged. Some are brothers and sisters who must be placed together. Some are drug-exposed or medically fragile. Most have physical, mental, or emotional difficulties. Many are children of color. All need loving families.  Founded in 1974 by adoptive parents, the North American Council on Adoptable Children is committed to meeting the needs of waiting children and the families who adopt them.  

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.