WASHINGTON, DC –Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) is pleased to join an informative program to discuss kinship care and adoption on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 in the John F. Kennedy High School Gymnasium located at 17100 Harvard Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44128-2214.

5:00 to 6:00pm   Check-in/ Kinship Care and Adoption Resource Fair
6:00 to 8:00 pm   Program

Adoption Network Cleveland is sponsoring the event entitled, “A Community Conversation with Representative Marcia L. Fudge about Kinship Care and Adoption.”  The event is free and open to the public.  Each year, thousands of children in Cuyahoga County need foster care. Families eager to adopt need accurate information and support. Relatives thrust in the role of parents have their own unique needs.  This forum is packed with vital information about resources in our community to discuss these concerns.

In addition to Rep. Fudge, participants will include Adoption Network Cleveland, Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services and a panel of individuals touched by adoption and kinship care.  Their stories are truly amazing.  Among those expected to attend are a 22 year old college student who was homeless during school breaks because she had “aged out” of foster care and had nowhere to go.  Another participant, an 18 year old discusses his 12 placements in foster care since the age of 7 and how programs like Camp Connect helped to make him feel safe and less isolated.  Some of the participants may be available for interviews prior to the event.  

For more information on the panelists and program details, please contact Linda Schellentrager, Communications Manager for Adoption Network Cleveland (216-325-1000)  or  Linda.Schellentrager@AdoptionNetwork.org