November/December, 1997

Adoption: A Celebration of Family

Story

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. Each year the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange, Family Independence Agency of Michigan, and the Michigan Federation of Private Child & Family Agencies co-sponsor a special celebration to recognize successful adoptive families and to remember the many hundreds of Michigan children still in need of a permanent family.

The 10th annual "Calling Out For Those Who Wait" ceremony was held on Thursday November 6th from 12:00pm - 1:00pm in the Forum Auditorium at the Michigan Library and Historical Center in Lansing. Families throughout the state were encouraged to send MARE letters about their adoption experience based on the theme: "Adoption - A Celebration of Family." Several of these families were then chosen to read their letters aloud at the Calling Out Ceremony. Over 100 people turned out to show their support for adoption in Michigan! Beginning on this page and continuing on page five, we will share with you some of the letters we received during our annual letter-writing campaign and also some photographs from the event itself. Thanks to all who showed their support by writing letters and/or attending the ceremony. Congratulations to the many adoption workers and families who are making this year another record year of adoptions in Michigan. Finally, let us all remember the children who still wait for adoption. May they too have the chance to celebrate their own families one day.

MARE Trivia Challenge

So you think you know the ins and outs of MARE? If your internal body clock runs on 182 day intervals, if you can fill out a Hold Registration with your eyes closed, and if you even know the difference between a Receipt of Documentation and a Registration Notice, then you just may be on your way to fame and glory in our annual (well O.K., our occasional) MARE Trivia Extravaganza!

The winner of this prestigious contest will receive:

  • An authentic, limited-edition MARE T-shirt
  • MARE magnet, and 5 "Adopt!" buttons
  • A $10 gift certificate to Wendy's
  • The esteem of the MARE staff and the envy of your colleagues!

Simply fill out this form and return it to MARE via mail, fax, or e-mail your answers to Steve York (syork@voyager.net) no later than Friday December 19, 1997. Good Luck - and keep your eyes on your own paper!

Note: FIA Central Office staff and MARE staff (including former MARE employees) are not eligible for prizes.

  1. Where is the home office for MARE located?
    a. Jackson, MS
    b. Detroit, MI
    c. Lansing, MI
    d. Jackson, MI
  2. MARE also has a satellite office located in:
    a. Southfield
    b. Escanaba
    c. Saginaw
    d. Cancun
  3. 3. How many MARE staff are there?
    a. 12
    b. 6
    c. 4
    d. too many to count
  4. Name the MARE staff (Correct spelling only, please - especially the program director's name!)
  5. What is the address for the MARE page on the World Wide Web?
  6. Documentation regarding adoption eligible children is due to the MARE office no later than ________________ from the time parental rights have been terminated.
  7. For MARE purposes, the date that documentation is received is based on:
    a. The date it arrives at MARE
    b. The post-mark, fax, or hand-delivery date
    c. The sum of the post-mark date minus the date it arrives at MARE divided by six.
  8. A Tracking List :
    a. is based on Family Independence Agency CSMIS data
    b. is a courtesy list sent by MARE to adoption agencies that lists all goal 10 children in the agency's care
    c. indicates when documentation is due, what documentation has already been received, and other information
    d. all of the above
  9. A Registration Notice :
    a. indicates that a child has been registered on MARE
    b. is a courtesy "reminder" to an agency that the initial due date for a child is approaching
    c. indicates the precinct where an adoption worker should vote
    d. none of the above
  10. A child must be registered to appear in the MARE Book:
    a. six months from his/her permanent custody date
    b. if no approved family has been identified to adopt
    c. both a and b
    d. either a or b
  11. A child may be removed from the MARE Book for many reasons. Name three of those reasons.
  12. A green "MARE Book Removal/Change Form" must be filled out when removing a child from the MARE Book.
    a. True
    b. False
  13. For a child listed in the MARE Book, the photo and description should be updated at least:
    a. once a quarter
    b. twice a year
    c. once a year
    d. doesn't matter
  14. How many children are listed in the November '97 MARE Book?
    a. 355
    b. 315
    c. 375
    d. 425
  15. On the MARE Tracking List, what does the message "No Documentation/Send Now" mean? Documentation has
  16. In cases where children are registered on Hold (either for a Foster parent, Relative, or Recruited family adoption), what is the length of extension agencies receive in order to complete the adoption?
    a. six days
    b. six weeks
    c. six months
    d. six years
  17. If the Hold extension period passes and the adoption is not yet completed:
    a. The message "Hold Expired. Case reported for Dept. review" appears on the agency's Tracking List
    b. The agency will be required to complete a "Zone Review" form indicating the status of the case and/or reasons for delay
    c. Both a and b
    d. "Lucy, you've got some 'splainin' to do!"
  18. After an "Expired Hold" case has been reviewed (including appropriate signatures and supporting documentation, if necessary) an additional time period of_________ is given to complete the adoption.
    a. three months
    b. six months
    c. nine months
    d. twelve months
  19. How many times can an "Expired Hold" case be reviewed?
    a. once
    b. twice
    c. three times a lady
    d. indefinitely
  20. What is the name of the annual ceremony co-sponsored by MARE that celebrates National Adoption Month?