On behalf of the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Administration for Children and Families is pleased to request nominations for the 2009 Adoption Excellence Awards. These awards demonstrate our national commitment to rebuild the lives of the 496,000 children in foster care and to achieve permanency for the 130,000 of those who are waiting for adoption. The Department will honor those States, Tribes, agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in providing stable, permanent homes for our nation’s children in foster care.
 
The Department invites you to nominate candidates for these prestigious awards (self nominations will be accepted). Nominations will be reviewed and award winners recommended by a panel of recognized experts in the adoption field, including members from Federal and State agencies. To assist you in the nomination process, you will find enclosed a description of the award categories, eligibility and selection criteria, and a nomination form. To access nomination materials electronically and review the list and descriptions of the 2008 awardees, you may visit our web site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/current_initiatives/aeawards.htm.
 
All nominations must be received by COB Friday, May 22, 2009, and should be sent to: Adoption Excellence Awards, Children’s Bureau, DHHS, Room 8148, 1250 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024, Attn: La Chundra Lindsey. For more information about the awards, please contact Bob Lindecamp, at (302) 436-7559 or Robert.Lindecamp@acf.hhs.gov.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to recognize a person or program that has shown dedication, innovation and accomplishment in providing safe, permanent, loving homes for America’s waiting children.

PARENTING
Kinship Center - Two online classes
Kinship Center - Family Assessment/Parent Preparation Classes
theantidrug.com – Resource site for parents with tips and early detection guide
ala.org/parentspage – American Library Association
chadd.org – Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Education, advocacy and support.
familyeducation.com – Tips, newsletters, info on marriage, family, parenting ages 0 – 18.
fathers.com - Research-based training, practical tips and resources to help men be involved fathers, grandfathers, and father figures.
getnetwise.org – Keeping children safe online
mediawise.org - Helping families make wiser media choices and encourage parents to "Watch What their Kids Watch."
ncpie.org - The National Coalition for Parental Involvement in Education
nofas.org – National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
parenting.ivillage.com
php.com - Parents Helping Parents
positiveparenting.com - Resources and information to help make "parenting more rewarding, effective and fun!"
foh.dhhs.gov/Public/schoolanxiety.asp - Back to School Anxiety
stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov - Stop Bullying Now

SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
aecf.org – Focusing on distressed communities, the Annie E. Casey Foundation looks for ways to fulfill the promise of the American "dream" for today's youth. Giving today's youth hope for the future and a reasonable expectation of a successful entrance to adulthood.  
causeonline.org – Citizens Alliance to Uphold Special Education - Information, referral, support, advocacy, and workshops to parents and professionals working with children with disabilities and special needs.
chadd.org – Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Education, advocacy and support.
wrightslaw.com Special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.

FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER (FASD)
The Arc Riverside: arcriverside.org
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Support, Training, Advocacy, and Resources: fasstar.com
California Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Organization: calfas.org

GENERAL
http://www.healthysanbernardinocounty.org/ Healthy San Bernardino County is a one stop source of non-biased data and information about community health in the County, and healthy communities in general. It is intended to help planners, policy makers, and community members learn about issues and identify improvements.
www.arccalifornia.org The Arc of California - Advocates for people with intellectual and all developmental disabilities since 1953. View the brochure.
nofas.org National Organization on FASD – premier site for facts and stories
fasdcenter.samhsa.gov - FASD center, publications, fact sheets, curriculum
depts.washington.edu/fasdpn - University of Washington, Seattle – FASD research
otispregnancy.org - FASD life guide and fact sheets on substances and pregnancy
ninezero.org - National prevention campaign. Nine months, Zero Alcohol  
aap.org - The American Academy of Pediatrics
askeric.org – The Educator's Desk Reference for Teachers including Home Schooling
ed.gov/free - Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE)
michiganresourcecenter.org - Michigan Resource Center, publications for health and safety

FOR TEACHERS
mcosa.net/FASD.asp - The Big FAS Picture for teachers
education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/specialneeds/fasd.asp - Strategies for teaching

FOR PARENTS
hhs.gov/children/index.html
fasiceberg.org - Keep current on tips, strategies, research, and HOPE
Teresa Kellerman's site packed with parent resources

ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP
groups.yahoo.com/group/FaSAFASD - Online parent support with tips and resources

FOSTER PARENTING
California State Foster Parents Association: CSFPAonline.org
The National Voice of Foster Parents: NFPAinc.org

SOCIAL WORKERS
THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER Online - the place for social workers on the Net. socialworker.com/
Welcome to The National Association of Social Workers. socialworkers.org
Welcome to NASW Help Starts Here. In thousands of ways, social workers help people help themselves. helpstartshere.org
FOR SOCIAL WORKERS - We are proud to be celebrating twenty-three years of providing adoption, foster and relative care services to the children and families of California, primarily within the Child Welfare system - kinshipcenter.org/adoption_child_california_socialworker.html

Youth Transitioning to Independent Living
The Finance Project has launched a new website for youth transitioning out of foster care and those who work with them. The Information Resource Center provides links to resources on how to develop and sustain supports and services for these youth. It is supported by the Foster Care Work Group, a network of national foundations that developed a shared vision and investments to facilitate more successful transitions for youth aging out of foster care. The Information Resource Center website is organized around the framework of five key strategies: education, workforce, financial literacy, savings and asset building, and entrepreneurship. It also includes links to permanency resources.
financeproject.org/index.cfm?page=32

DRUG EDUCATION
aaprimarypurpose.org - Message of hope through principles of AA
collegedrinkingprevention.gov - Comprehensive research-based information on issues related to alcohol abuse and binge drinking among college students.
drugfree.org – Partnership for a Drug-Free America
drugstory.org - Reaching drug-related issues and contracting drug experts
FACEproject.org - Facing Alcohol Concerns Through Education (FACE)
findtreatment.samhsa.gov
hazelden.org – Addiction treatment, publishing, education, research and recovery support
inhalants.org – National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
nacoa.org - Education and Support for Children of Alcoholic/Drug Using Parents
nationaldec.org - National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
ncadi.samhsa.gov - Information on prevention, treatment and substances use
preventionnetwork.org
rxlist.com - An online drug index that lists side effects, warnings and clinical studies
talkingwithkids.org - How and when to talk with your kids about tough issues
theantidrug.com – Resource site for parents with tips and early detection guide
foh.dhhs.gov/Public/drinkingdriving.asp - Driving and Drugs
drugabusestatistics.samhsa.gov - Drug Abuse Statistics
opm.gov/ehs/alcohol.asp - Alcohol in the Workplace
bu.edu/act/alcoholandhealth/index.html - Alcohol and Health
ensuringsolutions.org - From The George Washington University Medical Center
nida.nih.gov/NIDAHome1.html - National Institute on Drug Abuse

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY RESOURCES:
Children's Network Of San Bernardino County: sbcounty.gov/childnet
Inland Regional Center: hss.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/dcs
CUIDAR SB CAL-STATE SAN BERNARDINO


ADOPTIVE PARENTING/RELATIVE CAREGIVER
The agencies provide supportive services to relative caregiver
California Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children  
Kinship Center
Inland Caregiver Resource Center
ManualL For Grandparent/Relative Caregivers and their Advocates
Kinship Support Services Program - Central City Lutheran Mission

YOUTH
There's more than one way to create a family. Adoption is one of them. Find out more in this article for kids
kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/home_family/adoption.html
Young People in Foster Care and Social Change
Youth Communication helps teenagers develop their reading and writing skills so they can acquire the information they need to make thoughtful choices about their lives
Tips for Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Education and Training Vouchers are available to all current and former foster youth. Go to nrcys.ou.edu/yd to find the coordinator in your state.
Online Counseling for Teens on a website designed for teens by teens
The Runaway Switchboard - A resource for teenagers who have or are thinking about running away from home. 24 hour hotline providing crisis intervention, support and referral to helping services. All calls are CONFIDENTIAL AND FREE 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Adoption Clubhouse - From the National Adoption Center. Activities and information to connect children to the wider adoption community of peers.
Have U Heard? The Cool Spot: thecoolspot.gov/
Stop bullying now!

Scholarship Alert!  Millions of dollars go unclaimed each year. See if you qualify.
College planning with Callie Herd: streetpositive.com/schools/scholarships