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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

National Adoption Month Spurs Calls for 'Family, Not Foster Care'

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Wednesday, November 7, 2007   

Stony Brook, NY – November is "National Adoption Month," and advocates are pressing for greater family involvement in the foster care system. President Bush has issued a proclamation honoring the compassion and sacrifice of family caregivers who take care of elderly relatives. However, Brigitte Castellano with the New York-based National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights explains elders also have a role to play in rescuing their displaced grandchildren from the harsh uncertainties of the national foster care system.

"Often the foster care parents don't want to adopt. The children are moved from one foster family to another, just going through the system without ever having a permanent family, and that is a problem."

Former foster child Louis Henderson, now with the National Association of Former Foster Care Children of America, believes there's nothing like being connected to one's bloodline for emotional stability and lifetime success. Henderson describes foster care as more problematic for unadopted kids who 'age out' of the system.

"The system is no longer responsible for this young person at the age of 18 or 21. Homeless shelters are full of young people who aged out of the system, and have not been connected to a caring adult."

Castellano notes that New York State has established a Family Caregiver Council, as well as supporting legislation that encourages a greater role for elder family members to take care of the next generation.

"'The Grandparent Caregiver Rights Act' states that every grandparent must be notified when children are removed from the parental home. And we asked Senator Clinton to also include that in her 'Kinship Caregiver Bill.' Whenever there's family available, children should be with family."

November is also "National Family Caregivers Month." More information is available online at www.grandparentsforchildren.org and www.naffcca.org.


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