Is it any wonder that stories such as this one are coming out? There is no regulation of adoption at all in many countries. I asked a friend of mine recently about this in the training for attorneys. I have read it other places as well. There is very little training for attorneys. There maybe a chapter or two in law books. It is the same situation with the Indiana woman who was pleaded guilty to scamming prospective adoptive parents out of New York. Just one quick look at many of the tax records of adoption agencies is enough to make one realize that they are in the wrong business.
The adoption industry does not want to regulate itself thus putting an end to this kind of thing. It would mean that they too have to put an end to their actions. They most definitely do not want the federal and state governments looking into their actions.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Question Posed
A question was posed recently. What have I done since high school? I have joined the military as a reservist and then went active duty for three years. I went to Saudi Arabia to fight in the Desert Storm. I was also stationed in Germany for a couple of years. I got married to a handsome cowboy. I have delivered mailed for a few years. I have also given birth to my fantastic daughters. I became an adoptee rights activist. I am also a homeschool mom. I live on one of the largest, most historic ranches in Texas. I sadly have missed two high school reunions. What have you done since you graduated?
high school reunions
high school reunions
Why can't people understand this?
First thing this morning, I read this article. The commentary is typical. Its quick and easy to tell someone to not have sex. Everyone is also quick to assume that people are not married. In the article itself, it mentions a married couple. In order to have a good healthy marriage, guess what folks, sex is a part of that. Condemning people for natural behavior and biology is plain stupid. We sure are willing to bail out the CEOs of all these major banking and financial firms. Why can't we bail out humanity in our country? We do have economic downturn. Even adoptive parents are at a point where they can't afford children. They are forgoing the pricey adoption agencies in order to save money. They are going to the government to adopt children out of foster care. What is the big deal with providing contraception to people?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Good Grief
Texas has introduced two bills that absolutely stink. The titles alone of them are extremely bad. They are called "In relation to the birth records of adopted children." Last time I checked I was adult. I am paying taxes, a former Desert Storm veteran, former letter carrier, and a voter. I disagree with these bills.
We are legislating search and reunion. These folks have got to be crazy. It is my birth certificate that they are regulating. I am not playing anymore when it comes to my rights. These folks do not speak for me.
It is ridiculous that this is even allowed to continue. What is so hard to understand that adoptees deserve the same access as everyone else?
We are legislating search and reunion. These folks have got to be crazy. It is my birth certificate that they are regulating. I am not playing anymore when it comes to my rights. These folks do not speak for me.
It is ridiculous that this is even allowed to continue. What is so hard to understand that adoptees deserve the same access as everyone else?
Check out this article
Scott Carney wrote an article for Mother Jones recently. It is a very interesting article. It again touches on the corruption in international adoption. It is important that people read this stuff before they begin their adoption process. Corruption exists in adoption. Part of the problem is the money. The other part is the lack of transparency in the adoption process.
No one really wants to listen to this part of the problem. How do you tell if there is a problem? Why is it so hard for people to stop and realize that adoption has become corrupted? When does it become corruption and coercive? Is it just one case? How many? For me personally, it just takes one time.
No one really wants to listen to this part of the problem. How do you tell if there is a problem? Why is it so hard for people to stop and realize that adoption has become corrupted? When does it become corruption and coercive? Is it just one case? How many? For me personally, it just takes one time.
A Call to Change Michigan Laws
There is all kinds of news that affect adoptees and their families. Michigan citizens are calling for a change in the laws in regarding the reporting of deaths relating to adoptees from foster care, adoption, and other similar events. They are wanting a neutral party to be contacted when there is such a death. Here is a quote from the article:
"The Office of the Children's Ombudsman (OCO) is an independent state agency. It investigates complaints about children involved with protective services, foster care, adoption services, and juvenile justice. The agency determines whether the DHS and/or private agency actions and decisions, as they relate to a particular child, complied with laws, rules, and DHS policies. OCO makes recommendations to the governor, legislators, and the DHS for changes in child welfare laws, rules, and policies to improve prospects for kids."
There needs to be a neutral party that must help in the regulation of DHS and adoption agencies. These agencies must be held to a higher authority in order to make effective change in our society. We need to make changes for the sake of children in our society. Right now things are not working in Michigan or for any other state.
"The Office of the Children's Ombudsman (OCO) is an independent state agency. It investigates complaints about children involved with protective services, foster care, adoption services, and juvenile justice. The agency determines whether the DHS and/or private agency actions and decisions, as they relate to a particular child, complied with laws, rules, and DHS policies. OCO makes recommendations to the governor, legislators, and the DHS for changes in child welfare laws, rules, and policies to improve prospects for kids."
There needs to be a neutral party that must help in the regulation of DHS and adoption agencies. These agencies must be held to a higher authority in order to make effective change in our society. We need to make changes for the sake of children in our society. Right now things are not working in Michigan or for any other state.
Illinois Confidential Intermediaries: Are They Big Business?
Everyone knows that I hate confidential intermediaries. I can't stand them. If I hear of a good one, I will put them on Indiana Open as a point of reference. Right now I only have three of them. I know of three of them but I am checking on one to see if she is worth with it. I try to inform both adoptees and natural mothers that they have a choice in confidential intermediaries in Indiana. I have met one too many people who have had heartache in dealing with Indiana confidential intermediaries.
After talking with a friend of mine on Saturday, she sent me sniffing in a direction that I had not really thought of. I have seen what people have gone through with the Illinois confidential intermediary system. This friend of mine sent me on a research spree. It is pretty nasty if you ask me. Right now there is a bill (HB 4623) that will give some adoptees access while still keeping the CI system intact.
There are two primary agencies that provide CI services in Illinois. One of which is Midwest Adoption Center who I will discuss in detail. The other one is Whiteoak Foundation.
Midwest Adoption Center:
Midwest Adoption Center is run by Nancy Golden and Gretchen Schulert.
According to their tax returns:
2007 2006 2005 2004
Gross Receipts $973,863 $895,294 $845,547 $860,290
Program Service Fees $973,737 $895,294 $845,459 $860,255
Public Donations $105
Board of Directors
Gretchen Schulert $101,571 $78,800 $104,171
Nancy Golden $101,571 $91,366 $125,443
Rebecca Nolan $55,884 $51,300
In 2007 Gretchen was the president of this organization but in years past it has been Nancy Golden. Gretchen owns both of the websites, Midwest Adoption Center and CI Illinois. Some other key information that also plays into the finances behind this organization. Mike Golden, Nancy's husband and attorney, was paid $2,100 on their last tax form for clerical expenses. West Monroe Partners, a company owned by Gretchen's husband, was paid $20,601 for computer database services, website stat sampling, report preparation, and interpretation to DCFS.
That is a lot of money that is made off the backs of adoptees and first mothers. It makes many of the adoption agencies paychecks seem small in comparison. It currently costs $495 to do just one search for one individual. It goes up another $400 for additional searches for other individuals. They are offering a special because of a special grant that they have received. It only lasts as long as there are funds with this grant.
As I was researching just this organization alone, I discovered some interesting things. According to their website, they were the ones that set up the confidential intermediary system in Indiana. They did the design and delivery of the confidential intermediary progrm through out the state of Illinois under a contract with IDCFS. Wow I wonder how much they got from the state of Illinois. It looks like a lot.
I researched a little on Nancy Golden. It is very interesting indeed. According to the website biography:
"Nancy Golden, Clinical Director at the Midwest Adoption Center, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in adoption and foster care services in an agency setting and in private practice. Before the formation of MAC, she was the Unit Director of the foster care, adoption and maternity program of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. The focus of Nancy's clinical work has been in promoting healthy growth and development for children and their birth, foster and adoptive families. In addition, she presents workshops and seminars at local as well as national conferences."
I googled her and found this. It is a lawsuit against Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and Nancy Golden. Nancy Golden went to the plaintiff's employer and advised them of the allegations of sexual abuse against the plaintiff. She did not tell the employer that those allegations had proved to be false. Because of her actions, he lost his job.
So can adoptee get a fair break in their usage of their services? Somehow I do not think so.
I checked out Whiteoak Foundation's Tax form as well. Melisha Mitchell is the executive director. David Ormsby is their deputy executive. Roland Calia is their adminstrator.
2007 2006 2005
Gross Receipts $131,259 $124,846 $166,387
Government Grants $131,174 $124,796 $163,162
Public Donations $85 $50 $3,225
Board of Directors
Melisha Mitchell $69,000 $65,000 $64,000
David Ormsby $35,000 $35,000
Roland Calia $18,000 $35,000
It is really interesting how our tax dollars are spent. Midwest has more of a financial investment in keeping things the way that they are. The bad thing is that Midwest also has the backing of LSSI behind them in keeping such. Their gross receipts average about $85,000,000 per year. Not bad for a church if you ask me.
After talking with a friend of mine on Saturday, she sent me sniffing in a direction that I had not really thought of. I have seen what people have gone through with the Illinois confidential intermediary system. This friend of mine sent me on a research spree. It is pretty nasty if you ask me. Right now there is a bill (HB 4623) that will give some adoptees access while still keeping the CI system intact.
There are two primary agencies that provide CI services in Illinois. One of which is Midwest Adoption Center who I will discuss in detail. The other one is Whiteoak Foundation.
Midwest Adoption Center:
Midwest Adoption Center is run by Nancy Golden and Gretchen Schulert.
According to their tax returns:
2007 2006 2005 2004
Gross Receipts $973,863 $895,294 $845,547 $860,290
Program Service Fees $973,737 $895,294 $845,459 $860,255
Public Donations $105
Board of Directors
Gretchen Schulert $101,571 $78,800 $104,171
Nancy Golden $101,571 $91,366 $125,443
Rebecca Nolan $55,884 $51,300
In 2007 Gretchen was the president of this organization but in years past it has been Nancy Golden. Gretchen owns both of the websites, Midwest Adoption Center and CI Illinois. Some other key information that also plays into the finances behind this organization. Mike Golden, Nancy's husband and attorney, was paid $2,100 on their last tax form for clerical expenses. West Monroe Partners, a company owned by Gretchen's husband, was paid $20,601 for computer database services, website stat sampling, report preparation, and interpretation to DCFS.
That is a lot of money that is made off the backs of adoptees and first mothers. It makes many of the adoption agencies paychecks seem small in comparison. It currently costs $495 to do just one search for one individual. It goes up another $400 for additional searches for other individuals. They are offering a special because of a special grant that they have received. It only lasts as long as there are funds with this grant.
As I was researching just this organization alone, I discovered some interesting things. According to their website, they were the ones that set up the confidential intermediary system in Indiana. They did the design and delivery of the confidential intermediary progrm through out the state of Illinois under a contract with IDCFS. Wow I wonder how much they got from the state of Illinois. It looks like a lot.
I researched a little on Nancy Golden. It is very interesting indeed. According to the website biography:
"Nancy Golden, Clinical Director at the Midwest Adoption Center, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in adoption and foster care services in an agency setting and in private practice. Before the formation of MAC, she was the Unit Director of the foster care, adoption and maternity program of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. The focus of Nancy's clinical work has been in promoting healthy growth and development for children and their birth, foster and adoptive families. In addition, she presents workshops and seminars at local as well as national conferences."
I googled her and found this. It is a lawsuit against Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and Nancy Golden. Nancy Golden went to the plaintiff's employer and advised them of the allegations of sexual abuse against the plaintiff. She did not tell the employer that those allegations had proved to be false. Because of her actions, he lost his job.
So can adoptee get a fair break in their usage of their services? Somehow I do not think so.
I checked out Whiteoak Foundation's Tax form as well. Melisha Mitchell is the executive director. David Ormsby is their deputy executive. Roland Calia is their adminstrator.
2007 2006 2005
Gross Receipts $131,259 $124,846 $166,387
Government Grants $131,174 $124,796 $163,162
Public Donations $85 $50 $3,225
Board of Directors
Melisha Mitchell $69,000 $65,000 $64,000
David Ormsby $35,000 $35,000
Roland Calia $18,000 $35,000
It is really interesting how our tax dollars are spent. Midwest has more of a financial investment in keeping things the way that they are. The bad thing is that Midwest also has the backing of LSSI behind them in keeping such. Their gross receipts average about $85,000,000 per year. Not bad for a church if you ask me.
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