{"id":11799,"date":"2017-06-12T06:36:58","date_gmt":"2017-06-12T10:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/?p=11799"},"modified":"2017-06-12T06:36:58","modified_gmt":"2017-06-12T10:36:58","slug":"open-records-advocates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/?p=11799","title":{"rendered":"Open Records Advocates"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Brian Donahue<\/a><\/span> shared a link<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n
June 8 at 9:44pm<\/span><\/abbr><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The adoptee rights legislation in Connecticut, bill 977, made it to the Senate floor on Friday night. It was then tabled for discussion. It did not make it back to the floor after Friday night. As a result when the legislature ended last night, it did not proceed.<\/p>

I thank Suzanne Bachner, the producer, author, playwright of the Good Adoptee, Kathleen Aghajanian, the Northeast Director of Concerned United Birthparents, Irene Clements, the Executive Director of the National Foster Parent Associations, Kathy Jones, author, Assistant Director of Foster Leaders, Karen Caffrey, Carolyn Goodrich, Eileen Eileen Woebse McQuade, Carol Goodyear, and others including:<\/p>

\u2022 Adoptions from the Heart
\n\u2022 Clifford Beers Clinic
\n\u2022 Community Health Center, Inc.
\n\u2022 Connecticut Adoption Services
\n\u2022 Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Families
\n\u2022 Connecticut Bar Association, Human Rights and Responsibilities Section
\n\u2022 Connecticut Conference, United Church of Christ
\n\u2022 Connecticut Council on Adoption
\n\u2022 Connecticut District, The New York Conference, The United Methodist Church
\n\u2022 Connecticut Voices for Children
\n\u2022 Ms. Deb Kelleher, Co-Founder, Annie C. Courtney Foundation, Inc.
\n\u2022 Family and Children\u2019s Agency, Inc.
\n\u2022 Family Affirmation Center for Treatment
\n\u2022 Family Orchard LLC
\n\u2022 Heart For Open Adoption
\n\u2022 Independent Adoption Center
\n\u2022 Jewish Family Services of Bridgeport
\n\u2022 Jewish Family Services of New Haven
\n\u2022 Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven
\n\u2022 Lutheran Social Services of New England
\n\u2022 National Association of Social Workers\/Connecticut Chapter
\n\u2022 \u2018r Kids
\n\u2022 Rainbow Adoptions International, Inc.
\n\u2022 Thames Council Valley Community Action, Inc.
\n\u2022 The Multicultural Leadership Institute, Inc.
\n\u2022 The Village for Children and Families
\n\u2022 Touched By Adoption
\n(*Access Connecticut seeks to re-establish the right of access for adult adoptees only. However, adoption and child welfare organizations are in a position of trust in regard to minor adoptees, and have an obligation to preserve their rights until they reach the age of majority.)
\nNational & International Endorsements
\nFULL STATEMENT
\nConcerned United Birthparents (CUB)
\n\u201cCUB supports adult adoptees\u2019 right to access their records, without restrictions or qualifications.\u201d
\nFULL STATEMENT
\nNational Foster Parent Association
\n\u201cBe it Resolved that the [we] support open access to original birth certificates for adult adoptees\u2026\u201d
\nFULL STATEMENT
\nAmerican Adoption Congress
\n\u201cWe advocate legislation that will grant every individual access to information about his or her family and heritage.\u201d
\nFULL STATEMENT
\nAmerican Academy of Pediatrics
\nIn March 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed the National Adoption Center: Open Records\u2019 policy stating they \u2018believe[s] that it is an inalienable right of all citizens, including adopted adults, to have unencumbered access to their original birth certificates.\u201d
\nFULL STATEMENT
\nHolt International
\n\u201cHolt International Children\u2019s Services supports access by adoptees and birth parents to identifying information about each other.\u201d
\nSEE STATEMENT
\nNational Association of Social Workers (NASW)
\n\u201cThe need and right of adoptees to know their birth origin should be recognized and respected. This right extends to requests from adult adoptees for identifying information.\u201d
\nFULL STATEMENT
\nNorth American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
\n\u201cNACAC supports their right to this information and supports access to original birth certificates to any adult adoptee at age of majority.\u201d (Statement for NJCARE linked.)
\nSEE RESEARCH
\nDonaldson Adoption Institute
\n\u201cEvery state should restore unrestricted access to original birth certificates for all adult adoptees, retroactively and prospectively.\u201d
\nFULL STATEMENT
\nNational Adoption Center
\n\u201cThe National Adoption Center believes that it is an inalienable right of all citizens, including adopted adults, to have unencumbered access to their original birth certificates.\u201d
\nSEE STATEMENT
\nParents for Ethical Adoption Reform (PEAR)
\n\u201cPEAR supports unrestricted access to birth records for all adults adopted as minors.\u201d
\nMany more national experts and influencers support adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates including:
\n\u2022 Abrazo Adoption Associates
\n\u2022 Access Massachusetts
\n\u2022 Adam Pertman, Executive Director of NCAP, Journalist
\n\u2022 Addison Cooper, MSW, LCSW, Adoption at the Movies
\n\u2022 Adoptee Rights Civil Resource Center
\n\u2022 Adoptees Without Liberty (AWOL)
\n\u2022 Adoption ALARM Network
\n\u2022 Adoption Rights Now
\n\u2022 ALMA \u2013 Adoptees Liberty Movement Association
\n\u2022 Americans For Open Records
\n\u2022 Ann Fessler, Visual Artist, Filmmaker, Author
\n\u2022 Brooke Randolph, LMHC
\n\u2022 Caring Adoptive Parents
\n\u2022 Carol Schaefer, Author, Editor, Ghostwriter, Speaker
\n\u2022 Catholic Conference of Ohio
\n\u2022 Corie Skolnick, Author, Speaker, Educator, Therapist
\n\u2022 Deanna Doss Shrodes, Author, Adoptee Restoration Blogger
\n\u2022 Deborah Siegel, Ph.D., LICSW, ACSW, DCSW
\n\u2022 Dr. John DeGarmo,PhD, Foster Care Expert, Author, Speaker, Trainer
\n\u2022 Episcopal Church
\n\u2022 Evangelical Lutheran Church in American New England Synod
\n\u2022 Foster Care Film Community Engagement Project
\n\u2022 Foster Leaders Movement
\n\u2022 Heather Waters, Film Producer
\n\u2022 Jennifer Dyan, Author
\n\u2022 Jo Swanson, Adoption Reform Advocate
\n\u2022 JoAnn Bennett, Author, Adoptee Rights Advocate
\n\u2022 Jodi Haywood, Author
\n\u2022 Joe Soll, Adoption Healing
\n\u2022 Joyce Maguire Pavao, Ed.D., LSCW, LMFT
\n\u2022 Judith Land, Author, Adoptee Rights Advocate
\n\u2022 Julie Stromberg, Author, Lost Daughters Blogger, Pennsylvania Adoptee Rights Advocate
\n\u2022 Katherine Jones, Author, Radio Host
\n\u2022 Kelley Maize, Singer, Rapper, Songwriter
\n\u2022 Kristi Lado, Author
\n\u2022 Lifetime Adoption
\n\u2022 Lifetime Adoption Foundation
\n\u2022 Liz Semons, Author
\n\u2022 Lori Holden, Author & Writer
\n\u2022 Lorraine Dusky, [Birth Mother] First Mother Forum
\n\u2022 Lucy Sheen, Actor, Writer, Filmmaker
\n\u2022 Lynn Grubb, Author, Editor
\n\u2022 Khmer Health Advocates
\n\u2022 Mardie Caldwell, Author, Speaker, Educator
\n\u2022 Marci Axness, PhD., Early Development Specialize, Speaker, Author
\n\u2022 Mary Payne, Author
\n\u2022 Mei-Mei Ellerman, Ph.D., Brandeis Women\u2019s Studies Research Center
\n\u2022 Melinda Warshaw, Author
\n\u2022 Mirah Riben, Author, Journalist
\n\u2022 National Center on Adoption and Permanency
\n\u2022 New York Statewide Adoption Reform Unsealed Initiative
\n\u2022 Ohio Right To Life
\n\u2022 Oklahoma for Open Records & Adoption Honesty
\n\u2022 PACER \u2013 Post Adoption Center for Education & Resources
\n\u2022 PACT, An Adoption Alliance
\n\u2022 Peter Dodds, Author, Speaker, Screenwriter
\n\u2022 Priscilla Stone Sharp, Professional Geneaologist and Adoption Search Angel
\n\u2022 Suzanne Bachner, Playwright
\n\u2022 Terri Salvatore Vanech, Blogger, Author
\n\u2022 Viorica Culea \u2013 Adoptee, Author
\n\u2022 Yvonne Curri, Author
\n\u2022 Zara Phillips, Author, Singer, Songwriter, Presenter<\/p>

I wish to thank all the cosponsors who advocated for the rights of adoptees. They sent out the message to the nation, there are many legislators who believe in equality for all individuals. I thank them for their hard work.<\/p>

Co-sponsors of SB-977
\nRep. Daniel S. Rovero, 51st Dist.
\nRep. Kim Rose, 118th Dist.
\nRep. Kelly J. Luxenberg, 12th Dist.
\nSen. Steve Cassano, 4th Dist.
\nRep. Mike Demicco, 21st Dist.
\nRep. Gregory Haddad, 54th Dist.
\nRep. Michael Winkler, 56th Dist.
\nRep. John K. Hampton, 16th Dist.
\nRep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, 133rd Dist.
\nRep. Henry J. Genga, 10th Dist.
\nRep. Jeff Currey, 11th Dist.
\nRep. Jeffrey J. Berger, 73rd Dist.
\nRep. Fred Camillo, 151st Dist.
\nRep. Mark Tweedie, 13th Dist.
\nSen. George S. Logan, 17th Dist.
\nRep. Josh Elliott, 88th Dist.
\nRep. Dorinda Borer, 115th Dist.
\nSen. Gary A. Winfield, 10th Dist.
\nRep. Linda M. Gentile, 104th Dist.
\nRep. Mary M. Mushinsky, 85th Dist.
\nRep. Adam Dunsby, 135th Dist.
\nRep. Brandon L. McGee, 5th Dist.
\nRep. Chris Perone, 137th Dist.
\nRep. Tom Delnicki, 14th Dist.
\nRep. Caroline Simmons, 144th Dist.
\nSen. Bob Duff, 25th Dist.
\nSen. Beth Bye, 5th Dist.
\nRep. Pam Staneski, 119th Dist.
\nRep. Lonnie Reed, 102nd Dist.
\nRep. Susan M. Johnson, 49th Dist.
\nRep. Jason Rojas, 9th Dist.
\nRep. Derek Slap, 19th Dist.
\nRep. David Arconti, 109th Dist.
\nRep. Bill Simanski, 62nd Dist.
\nRep. Mike Bocchino, 150th Dist.
\nSen. Martin M. Looney, 11th Dist.<\/p>

To see the path the bill took please go to http:\/\/cga.ct.gov.<\/a>
\nWhile the bill did not succeed this year, the fight for equality and justice for all adopted individuals will continue. I will not stop advocating for equality and justice. This year more people become informed of the issue and called their legislators. I thank all of you who were took action on behalf of the bill. I also thank those who asked questions about the bill. You took time and effort to consider the issue.<\/p>

I ask you to please consider putting your advocacy skills towards helping other states advance the adoptee rights movement. There is an adoptee rights bill in Massachusetts. Advocates across the country helped Connecticut. I hope if you know family, friends, or contacts in other states which have pending adoptee rights bills you will lend your support to those states. I also ask you to become involved in advocating for causes you hold dear. If I can help in any way, I hope you will let me know. When I was sitting in the Senate gallery, I realized how fortunate I am to live in a country were debates can go on without having to worry about my personal safety. I realize in some countries people\u2019s input is not welcome and violence erupts. We live in a great country where we can share our views openly without worry. Thanks again for your support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Brian Donahue shared a link. June 8 at 9:44pm The adoptee rights legislation in Connecticut, bill 977, made it to the Senate floor on Friday night. It was then tabled for discussion. It did not make it back to the … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11799"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11800,"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11799\/revisions\/11800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hendersonbrook.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}