WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of HRC, has announced that Children's Home + Aid has earned the All ChildrenAll Families seal of recognition.
The Illinois adoption agency based in Chicago earned the honor by meeting the required criteria for fully inclusive policies and practices in working with the LGBT community. The Human Rights Campaign's All ChildrenAll Families initiative provides a comprehensive framework for agencies to establish policies and practices that welcome, support and affirm LGBT foster and adoptive parents. The seal will be presented to President and CEO, Nancy Ronquillo.
"Vulnerable children, whatever their age, whatever their circumstances, need someone they can count on," said Children's Home + Aid President & CEO Nancy Ronquillo. "Sometimes that means finding them a new loving home. For us to do that effectively, we must be welcoming of all perspective parents. Working with All Children — All Families, we were able to find areas where we needed to make some improvements and provide excellent training to our entire Foster Care and Adoption services staff. The whole process has made our agency more effective at attracting LGBT parents which means we are doing a better job protecting the children we serve."
"We are thrilled to welcome Children's Home + Aid into the community of child welfare organizations that are truly committed to creating more loving families by removing barriers to qualified LGBT adoptive parents. It is wonderful that LGBT individuals and couples in Illinois have another trusted resource to turn to when pursuing adoption," added Ellen Kahn, director of HRC's Children, Youth, and Families Program.
The "All Children — All Families" initiative, launched in 2007, promotes policies and practices that welcome LGBT foster and adoptive parents. The program seeks to enhance LGBT cultural competence among child welfare professionals and educate LGBT people about opportunities to become foster or adoptive parents to waiting children. To date, ACAF has over 60 participating agencies across the country, and has awarded 34 seals of recognition. More information about the initiative can be found at www.hrc.org/acaf.
WHAT: HRC to honor Children's Home + Aid with the HRC All Children — All Families Seal of Recognition
WHEN: Friday Sept. 27, 2013, 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Children's Home + Aid, 125 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 1400 Chicago, IL 60606