FSA

Fall FSA Education Classes!

2011-09-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for the Families Supporting Adoption education classes! All couples need 10 hours of education classes and this is a great way to get them. We have excellent classes this fall. The following are the dates and schedule for the classes:

October 6^th, An overview of Adoption taught by RaeAnn and Jon. Jon and RaeAnn will talk about the adoption process from the home study to finalization.

October 13^th, Multi-cultural adoption and W.I.S.E, taught by Kim Freeman. Kim has adopted 4 children and will talk about raising children with diverse backgrounds, as well as how to help children deal with negative comments about adoption, and how to respond in a way that strengthen their positive adoption identity.

October 20^th, Birth Parent Panel-We’ll hear from some birth parents and be able to ask questions. This is always a wonderful night.

October 27^th, Adoptive Parent panel and FSA service project. First we’ll hear from a panel of parents that have adopted. After the Adoptive Parent Panel we will put together backpacks full of supplies for children being taken into foster care.

All classes will be held from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the LDS Church building located at 11918 Ustick Rd. Boise ID 83713 (On Ustick, East of Cloverdale). We hope to see you all there!

FSA Service Project-The Backpack Project

2011-09-09T10:09:00.001-07:00

Boise FSA is doing the Backpack Project for children going into Foster Care as our service project this year. When children go into foster care, many times they do not have any personal belongings with them. We are hoping to put together 25 backpacks that can be given to children going into foster care that will contain personal items they may need. Some items have been donated already but we are still looking for donations for: 13 pairs of socks for teenage boys and girls, 13 pairs of underwear for teenage boys and girls, 13 sticks of deodorant for boys and girls, 26 combs and brushes, 26 packs of gum, and financial donations for the duffle bags (8.50 each=221.00). If you can help, please drop donations off at LDS Family Services or bring donations to the education classes in October. Thanks for your support!

Change of plans!

2011-08-08T20:10:00.000-07:00

We had originally planned reserving a church building and broadcasting the keynote speaker at the Family Supporting Adoption National Conference, but we will no longer be doing this. However, the broadcast will be available online after the conference. We hope to be able to get some great ideas for our upcoming trainings in October and we'll share all we learned at the conference then!

FSA Conference ticket give away!

2011-07-10T13:47:00.000-07:00

WIN A PAIR OF NATIONAL CONFERENCE TICKETS

The National Conference is quickly approaching.

We thought that with all the excitement of the conference, it would be a great idea to have a blog giveaway!

The National FSA is giving away a PAIR of National Conference tickets to a lucky blog reader ($80 value)!

You might be thinking, "Oh no! I already purchased my tickets!" Don't worry! We will refund you for two of those should you win.

If you would like to enter this giveaway, here is what to do:

Go to http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/

Follow the directions provided. good luck!

National FSA Conference in Utah!

2011-07-04T16:03:00.001-07:00

The time for the National FSA Conference in Utah is rapidly approaching. The following is some information on the conference and how to register (taken directly from http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com). It is a great way to learn more about adoption and fulfill your education hours!

Join us for these great workshops for adoptive couples and families, birth parents and families, and everyone else interested in learning more about adoption:

What Adoptive Children need from their birth parents

How to plan a post-placement life

Step by Step: Pregnancy to Placement

Openness in Adoption, Nurturing Marriage

Adoption Law, Infertility, Life Books,

Attuning to your child, Grief and Healing

Foster to Adopt, Infant bonding, Why FSA?
and many more!!!

To register click http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=966434

Final Parade Information

2011-06-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

We have our parade number! We are float number 53! If your family would like to be in the parade, meet on Water Tower Rd. by 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 17th. We'll see you there! Click on the map to see a bigger view.

Dairy Day Parade Information

2011-06-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Come join the parade! Family Supporting Adoption is participating in the Meridian Dairy Days Parade, Friday June 17^th. If your family would like to participate, please meet on Water Tower Rd in Meridian at 6:30 p.m. Look for the Family Supporting Adoption float (We have an awesome sign with a big cow that says “We’re Moooved by Adoption!). Parking may not be super close so come early. The parade is so much fun! Your family can ride on the hay bails on the float or walk along side the float. All ages are welcome! If your family doesn’t want to participate, come watch the parade and cheer us on from the sidelines! We’ll see you there!

Free Profiles on Hoping to Adopt.org!

2011-05-26T21:14:00.000-07:00

HopingtoAdopt.org is now offering free profiles! Not only is it free, it's easy too. Hopingtoadopt.org features families with completed home studies and offers free button links for your blog. This is just one more way to get your profile out there. Your information can be linked to LDS Family Services, such as having your caseworker as the contact. Hopingtoadopt.org also monitors for scams and will alert users of any scams they know of.

Parade Time!

2011-05-14T12:04:00.001-07:00

The FSA Dairy Days Parade float sign (and two cute boys, shown with permission)

A very good sport wearing the cow costume (also shown with permission)

Mark your calendar for the Meridian Dairy Days Parade, June 17th at 7:00! In the previous blog post, the date was wrong. The Meridian Dairy Days Parade has become a favorite FSA tradition! Everyone is welcome to join the parade. We have a great float and last year we even won 3rd place! If you don't want to be in the parade, please come to watch and cheer us on! More information on where and what time to meet to come. We usually get our parade number and instructions about a week before the parade. We will post them as soon as we get them. See you there!

FSA updates

2011-05-01T17:47:00.001-07:00

April's education classes were great! Thank you to all those who presented and attended. As we look forward to the summer, here ares some FSA activities to put on your calendars:

June 10th: Meridian Dairy Day parade-come join the parade as we celebrate adoption! More details to come.

July: FSA swimming party!

August 12-13th, National Adoption Conference in Utah!- We are hoping to have a broadcast of the keynote speakers and other classes here in Boise for couples not able to attend the national conference! This is a great way to learn more about adoption and complete your education hours!

Finally, Thank you, thank you, thank you to Heather H., who Chaired FSA for the last year. She did an outstanding job and will be greatly missed. We wish her and her family the best of luck as they begin their new adventures in Saipan!

Idaho Adoption Day

2010-10-05T21:55:00.001-07:00

3rd Annual Idaho Adoption Day

Monday, November 1, 2010

Idaho Supreme Court

451 W. State Street

Noon to 1:00 P.M.

Adoption Day Activities:

“Heart Gallery” traveling photographic exhibit

Reading and Signing of the official Adoption Day

Proclamation; remarks from honored guests

Recognition and commemoration given to all of

Idaho’s adoptive families Refreshments provided

Treasure Valley Adoption

Council would like to thank

our many sponsors!

Education Classes Reminder

2010-10-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

Education Classes

We are so excited to announce the upcoming classes
October 14
Emotions of Adoption (RaeAnn)
October 21
Birth Parent panel (Virginia)
October 28
Foster to adopt (John)
November 4
Breakout classes
Multi-racial Adoptions
Placement to Temple
Service project
Refreshments
Location: LDS Church Building on Locust Grove/Ustick
Time: 7:00-9:00
Who is invited: Everyone! Interested couples and their extended family
Why: To learn more about adoption & recieve Education Credits required for an adoption in Idaho
We are so excited to be able to share this with you.
We Look forward to seeing you all there!

Regional Adoption Conference is comming up soon

2010-09-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

The Regional Adoption Conference is Friday and Saturday, November 5th and 6th In Federal Way, Washington
Here is the link to get information and sign up http://fsawa.blogspot.com/p/regional-conference.html

Education Classes

2010-09-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to announce the upcoming classes

October 14

Emotions of Adoption (RaeAnn)
October 21

Birth Parent panel (Virginia)

October 28

Foster to adopt (John)

November 4

Breakout classes

Multi-racial Adoptions

Placement to Temple

Service project

Refreshments

Location: LDS Church Building on Locust Grove/Ustick

Time: 7:00-9:00

Who is invited: Everyone! Interested couples and their extended family

Why: To learn more about adoption & recieve Education Credits required for an adoption in Idaho

We are so excited to be able to share this with you.

We Look forward to seeing you all there!

Reminder... it's this week

2010-09-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

Date: September 14, 2010 Tuesday
Time: 7:00-9:00
Purpose: Make bead bracelets, flower clips, and cut pillow case fabric for Birthmom packages/service project
Bring if you have: glue gun, rotary cutter, and cutting board

Place: Rebecca Winspear's House
6049 S. Moonridge Boise, ID 83709 (in Fiddler's Glen subdivision)
Map South on Maple Grove (passed Amity), Left on Banjo, Right on S. Cello, Right on Stirrup, Left on Moonridge
Come have fun socializing and serving! We are looking forward to seeing you!

Socialize and Serve

2010-09-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

Drop off donations to LDS Services by Wednesday July 28

2010-07-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

National conference is almost here... You can drop off your donations to LDS Services by Wednesday July 28, 2010 and they will be taken to conference. Thanks so much for all you do. We are also looking for art to put on display during our annual Families Supporting Adoption Conference this July 30th and 31st. We all have been touched by the miracle of adoption and know how bitter and sweet that journey is. This is an opportunity to share a piece of your journey with others.

Dairy Days Parade

2010-06-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

The Parade was a blast.
We Won 3rd place in Non-Profit floats.
Yeah!

2010-06-15T20:19:00.000-07:00

Hello Families Supporting Adoption People,

BE A PART OF THE PARADE
Meridian Dairy Days
Friday June 18th 2010
The theme is "We are MOOved" by Adoption."
FAMILIES SUPPORTING ADOPTION will be Entry number 53
Everyone is invited to be in the parade (even if you haven't ordered a shirt). We will be meeting at the parade line 6pm, the parade starts at 7pm.
Parade lineup is on Watertower Road, you need to come in from Locust Grove (Between Franklin and the Freeway)
We have extra shirts for you to wear for free OR please wear white or yellow. Cowboy hats welcome. Water will be provided.
Any questions email Darci at dolbycat12@msn.com

We Look forward to seeing you there!

Watch us on TV!
Welcome to the Meridian Dairy Days Parade.
KTVB Parade TV schedule on 24/7:
Friday June 18: 7-8:30 pm Live;
Saturday June 19: 6:30-8:00am; 12:00-1:30pm; 6:30-8:00pm
Sunday June 20: 7:30-9:00am
Saturday June 26: 12:00-1:30 pm

2010 National Conference

2010-06-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

Together by Divine Design
(The cost of the conference is $35.00 for each individual)

Families Supporting Adoption - EACH ATTENDEE MUST REGISTER SEPARATELY
Friday, July 30, 2010 9:00 AM -
Saturday, July 31, 2010 5:00 PM (Mountain Time)

Davis Conference Center
1651 North 700 West
Layton, Utah 84041
United States

cut and paste the following link below to gather info and regster
http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=851705

2010-06-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

A CALL TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE ART

Call to Artists and Those who Love Art

By Rebecca Staley

We are looking for art to put on display during our annual Families Supporting Adoption Conference this July. We all have been touched by the miracle of adoption and know how bitter and sweet that journey is. This is an opportunity to share a piece of your journey with others. All are invited to share their love for adoption through art, whether by craft, photography, sculpture, poem, or paintings.

Deadline: July 1st

All who want to participate will need to submit a photo of their art through email by the deadline to: cutefamilyof5@gmail.com

Photos need to be added as an attachment and in jpeg format. Please include artist's name, title of the work, medium, date completed, and size of the piece.

Art selected will be on display during the FSA conference at the Davis Conference Center July 30-31st.

All art from children will be displayed on a children's wall.

We hope you will want to join us and share your creative side!

This is what it's all about

2010-06-07T10:26:00.001-07:00

Get involved with FSA!

2010-06-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

Friday June 18th 2010

BE A PART OF THE PARADE

We are excited to be a part of the Meridian Dairy Days

The theme is "We are MOOved" by Adoption."

If you would love to be involved in the parade we will be meeting at the parade line June 18th at 6pm the parade starts at 7pm. The exact location to be announced.

We have the opportunity to buy yellow FSA shirts.

Email Darci with shirt sizes.

Her email is dolbycat12@msn.com

We Look forward to seeing you there!

National Conference 2010 Service Projects

2010-05-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

This year at FSA National Conference 2010, we will be running a service project for two charities in Utah.We will have two large bins at Conference where you can drop off items that are needing by these charities.We will be accept new or 'gently' used items. There is also a 'Target' near the Davis Convention Center that you can drop in at if you don't want to pack anything extra. We so hope to make this a success and continue our 'good works' of adoption!
Please, please... help us spread the word everywhere! Make sure you visit the FSA National Blog and Website for more information about the conference and registration. See you at the end of July! http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/

Great Artical from Newsweek

2010-05-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

Raina Kelley
Birth Moms Deserve Our Respect
Why all the conversations about adoption leave out a key

May 20, 2010

When I gave birth to my son two years ago, I was stunned by the depth of my feelings—not the love, I expected that. It was the sense that the life of this baby was now more important than my own. I would fight a mountain lion or step in front of a truck to protect him. I would even, if I had to, send him to my parents to live, if my husband and I could no longer provide the best care for him. That doesn't make me special—it just means I'm a mother, same as hundreds of millions of other women. No matter whether it's staying home, going to work, raising their kids alone or choosing to leave their children in order to provide for them, there is nothing most of us would not do to ensure our childrens' safety. And, for some Moms, giving their children the best chance at a good life means making the most excruciating sacrifice of all: placing them up for adoption.

We hear a lot about adoption, but usually only when things go wrong or a celebrity is involved. We talk plenty about the kids themselves and the selfless families taking them in—whether they're fictional scenarios like the adoption storyline on Glee, or all-too-real news footage from Haiti, Ethiopia, or China. But our culture still seems to show so little respect and support for the women who choose adoption in the face of an unexpected pregnancy. Rarely do we focus, in a positive way, on the birth mothers, aside from picking the most relevant stereotyped assumptions: "Pregnant teen, crack addict, prostitute, trash, etc."
For the better part of the 20th century, adoption was seen as exploitative and cruel to birth mothers. Since single motherhood and abortion were not readily accepted options, women and girls were often forced by their families into hasty marriages or hustled into homes where their babies were taken without their informed consent. But now adoption has come out of hiding—indeed, both domestic and international adoptions have become increasingly common. One would think that women or teenage girls would be able to explore this option free of the guilt and shame. But as Amy Benfer wrote last month at Salon.com when discussing the reaction to notable on-screen pregnancies: "By the end of 2008, you could be forgiven for believing there was absolutely no way to portray a young unmarried woman who happened to be pregnant in a responsible manner: Juno was too smart, funny and likable; Katherine Heigl in 'Knocked Up' was too pretty and too happy; the Gloucester girls were too poor and too dumb; Jamie Lynn Spears was too rich and too dumb; Bristol Palin was too privileged and too Republican. When MTV came out with '16 and Pregnant' in the summer of 2009, it was more of the same: the girls were too trashy or too popular; bad mothers for dropping out of school, or unrealistic role models for other, less privileged girls, should they continue with school."
For Elizabeth Bartholet, professor of law and faculty director of the Child Advocacy Program at the Harvard Law School, society's distrust of birth mothers reveals our enduring bias for biological families. "It is very deeply ingrained in our society that all kids belong where they came from, it's unnatural to give them up. So we stigmatize surrendering the child ... but most young unmarried women who give birth are not in a good position to raise their child. What if we allowed people to think it's also natural to give their children to somebody else to raise?" Don't believe that we're so biased against birth moms? Do a little thought experiment with me—imagine it's the 2008 presidential race all over again. What do you think the response would have been if Bristol Palin had announced she was having her baby but placing it for adoption? Something tells me she wouldn't have been hailed as a real-life Juno but as a selfish promiscuous tart who doesn't care about her baby.
To me, it also indicates a strain of our culture that is not yet ready to accept that a mother's love might dictate placing her child with somebody else to raise and instead dismisses her as unnatural. As Adam Pertman, executive director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute explained to me, "Our society has lifted much of the stigma of single motherhood, but still finds it difficult to support a woman who is, as they see it, abandoning her child. These women are told: 'How can you possibly give up your child? What kind of person could do that?' So while adoption is listed as viable option, it's a choice that's rarely made." Indeed, the number of newborn babies available for adoption has remained flat for almost two decades while the number of unmarried women having children has soared.
What if we stopped pretending we lived in a world where the traditional nuclear family is the norm and accepted birth mothers into the fold of family life? We've certainly managed to do that in the world of reproductive medicine where we welcome offspring as biological even if the child was the product of donated sperm and egg. And we've somehow managed to accept a bewildering array of familial choices from multiple stepparents, two moms, or a single grandparent. But, thanks to society's misgivings and misconceptions about adoption, birth mothers are damned if they do and damned if they don't. By indicating that placing a child for adoption is a selfish or painless choice when it's not, or talking about birth mothers as if they were all crack-addled prostitutes or at the very least wayward youth, we not only limit a woman's right to choose but also shut out the possibility that there are other people out there who would love to adopt. Why not try respecting these women as mothers able to make the best decision for themselves and their pregnancies—even if that decision is not to parent?
© 2010

Education

2010-04-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Couple,

We have had two wonderful adoption classes this month. Don't miss the last two.
COME
April 22: Adoptive Couple's Stories

April 28: Mini-classes: Multi-racial adoption, Temple Sealing, Attorney, CPA

Dress casual. These classes do go towards the 10 hours of education required by the state to adopt. You can never learn too much about the journey of adoption. You are also welcome to invite your extended family so they can learn too. Questions call LDS Services 376-0191 Or Heather 484-6620

More Educational opportunities:
This blog gives instruction of how to watch presentations from last years National Adoption Conference.
National FSA Blog

Good News!

2010-04-05T07:53:00.000-07:00

Adoption Tax Credit Update:
As part of the health care bill signed into law by President Obama yesterday, the adoption tax credit was preserved for another year and increased to $13,170. As many of you are aware, Adoption Tax Credit was scheduled to “sunset” at the end of 2010. This sunset has now been extended one year.

Specifically, the provisions contained in the health care bill include:

· The current adoption tax credit has been extended until the end of 2011;

· The value of the adoption tax credit has been increased from $12,150 to $13,170.

· The increase is “retroactive,” meaning that any adoption occurring after January 1, 2010 is eligible for this higher credit.

· The credit is now refundable. This means that even families that owe zero taxes can receive the full tax credit in the form of a tax refund to help with their adoption-related expenses.

EVERYONE IS INVITED!

2010-03-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Adoption Classes

Thursday nights
7:00-9:00 PM
LDS Chapel on the corner of Locust Grove and Franklin.

April 8: Preference check list by a Health Provider,
"The Emotional of the Journey" by Jon Pingree

April 15: Birthparent panel

April 22: Adoptive Couple's Stories

April 28: Mini-classes: Multi-racial adoption, Temple Sealing, Atorney, CPA

Dress casual
These classes do fulfill the 10 hours of education required by the state to adopt.
You can never learn too much about the journey of adoption.
You are also welcome to invite your extended family so they can learn too.
Questions call LDS Services 376-0191 Or Heather 484-6620

Hello Adoptive Couples

2010-02-27T16:50:00.000-08:00

1) Here is a link to information on adoption tax credit.

2) Amber has started a services project for FSA of collecting maternity clothes for the expecting mothers that come into LDSFS for services and support. If you have any friends or family that are willing to donate nicely used clothing, they can drop it off at LDS Family Services or you can bring them to the education classes that starting April 8th. Thank you to Other Mothers for starting the donations.

3) Thank you to Dan, Shonni, Lori, and Emma for going to the court house and fighting against a negative paternity rights bill in committee. The Bill did not pass! We truly appreciate all the volunteer work done for FSA.

4) Just a reminder that Education Classes will be in April on each Thursday night (8,15,22,29). Each person is required to have 10 hours, but even if you have your hours come and learn more.

Remember faith, hope, and charity as you are going through your adoption journey.

Adoptive Couple Social

2010-02-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

Come join us for an Adult Only Game Night!

Guitar Hero, Wii games, board games, fun and socializing!

Saturday, February 6th from 7:00-9:00.

LDS building on the corner of Locust Grove and Franklin

Bring a yummy finger food to share and come meet and have fun with other adoptive couples!

2010-01-13T13:06:00.000-08:00

P.R.I.D.E. Training

SNAPS is again offering "Foster and Adopt PRIDE" 27-HOUR parent training courses! Please call immediately to register.(208) 345-6646. Registration $125/couple or $110/individual. The next session of PRIDE is scheduled for three all day Saturday classes, beginning February 20 and 27, and March 13. Class will begin with breakfast at 8:00 am and will end at 6:30 pm. Location is TBD. Registration will include breakfast and a beverage service. Lunch will be on your own. Full curriculum completion a must to certify/license.

Help Make the Adoption Tax Credit Permanent!

2009-11-14T19:44:00.000-08:00

The Adoption Tax credit, as it currently stands, will expire Dec. 31, 2010. The credit, after that date, will significantly decrease and for those with adjusted gross incomes over a certain dollar amount--the credit cannot be claimed. YOU can do something about it.

"Help Make the Current Federal Adoption Credit Permanent by Writing to your Representative

Here is how:

1. Find the name and Washington, D.C. mailing address of your Representative and Senators at www.congress.org. To find e-mail addresses, click through to the Senator’s or Congressperson’s Web site.
2. Next, log on to http://thomas.loc.gov/ to find out whether your Congresspersons are already co-sponsors of the legislation. On the thomas.loc.gov opening page, under “Search Bill Summary and Status,” search by bill number for H.R. 213. Then click on “Bill summary and Status.” On the page that comes up, click on “Cosponsors,” “Text of Legislation,” or “All Congressional Actions” to follow the progress of the bill.
3. If your representatives have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, send them your request that they do so. Tell them how important the tax credit was to you when you adopted your children, or how much you and other families you know are counting on it to be available in the future.

Act today, your efforts make a difference."

They're Heeeere...

2009-10-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

Education classes are starting. The first one is this Thursday, October 8th at 7pm. It's going to be a birth parent panel with questions from YOU. So make sure you email me with your burning-yearning questions.

"I want to go to there":
2299 N Five Mile Rd
BOISE , ID 83713

Be Sure To Drink Your Ovaltine

2009-09-22T19:31:00.000-07:00

AND . . . Be sure to check out the "education opportunities" page (link to your right). October education classes are coming up AND they're going to be great AND they'll fulfill some education requirement hours AND I think that's pretty swell AND I'm done running this sentence on AND on.

Well Isn't that Special

2009-09-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the improved FSA blog!!! In an effort to streamline things and make it more user-friendly, we have made a few nifty changes. The main page (which you are now looking at) will have updates and at-a-glance information. For all other information,***PLEASE TO BE LOOKING AT THE COLUMN TO YOUR RIGHT.*** Notice anything awesome? For information on education opportunities, conferences & classes, adoption opportunities (such as Wednesday's Child), service projects, and various coolio stuff, simply CLICK ON THE LINK and enjoy its many splendors. Now, I know right now you just want to high-five someone because you're so excited. You can do that or you can leave a comment on how much you love it :)

Boise Open

2009-08-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

More FREEBIES!!! Why? It's about love, my friends, and everyone must love us. LDSFS has free tickets to the Boise Open (that's golf--FYI) September 14-20th. Tickets are regularly $70 a pop, so free seems pretty darn awesome to me. Limit two tickets per family and they're good for the entire week. This is on a first-come, first-serve basis folks, so come and get 'em. Easy breezy lemon squeezy.

COME AND GET YOUR TICKETS!!!

2009-08-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

The first 5 families that buy tickets at LDS Family Services

for the Boise Hawks Baseball game will get.....

a freebie from Debbie or Bobbi!!!

Here are your reminders:

Wednesday, August 12th

tickets are $2.00 per person ($1.00 to get in and $1.00 for concession)

Wear your conference t-shirts! Let's show how much we love adoption!!!

A Must Read about National Conference

2009-07-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

We realize that many of your adoptive couples and birth parents will not be able to travel to Utah for the conference. For this reason, we have set up a broadcast and video stream for the keynote and birth parent panel. In order to view the video stream, please give the URL http://stream.lds.org/LDSFamilyenglish to those interested. They will be able to view this anywhere, as long as they have high speed internet access. It will be streamed on Saturday, August 1st at 9:30 MDT and again at 1:00 MDT. It will also be broadcast to stake centers at the same times. There is no code for this. Also, the week after the conference, we will send DVDs of the keynote and birth parent panel for your upcoming regional conferences and activities. We are taping nine breakout sessions and will make them available on the FSA site as soon as possible.

Take me out to the ball game.....

2009-07-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

Family Supporting Adoption and Friends Night at the Boise Hawks Baseball Game

Boise Hawks vs. Everett

Wednesday, August 12th

Game starts at 7:15 pm

Tickets $2.00 per person

***$1.00 to get in and $1.00 for the concession stand: hotdog, popcorn, ice cream sandwich or sno cone***

Buy tickets at LDS Family Services 10740 West Fairview Avenue, Ste. 100---get

em while they last! **Ask for Bobbi**

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!!

2009-07-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

CONFERENCE BASICS

July 31, 2009 to August 1, 2009

The conference will be held for a second time at the Davis Conference Center.

SCHEDULE

Below is the schedule overview at-a-glance. For a more detailed description of the classes including the class descriptions, times and locations as well as bios on the presenters, click HERE.

Friday, July 31st

Registration	9:00-9:30
Breakout session 1	9:30-10:30
Breakout session 2	10:40-11:40
Lunch on your own	11:40-1:10
Breakout session 3	1:15-2:15
Breakout session 4	2:25-3:25
Breakout session 5	3:35-4:35

Awards Banquet	5:30-7:00
(Semi-formal dress)

Saturday, August 1st	8:00-9:00

Registration	9:00-9:30
Keynote address by Troy Dunn	9:30-10:30
Birth Parent Panel	10:45-12:00
Lunch	12:00-1:00
Breakout session 1	1:00-2:00
Breakout session 2	2:10-3:10
Breakout session 3	3:20-4:20
Closing session and raffle	4:30-4:45

REGISTRATION

To register, CLICK HERE.

This is for registration and payment purposes only. Please disregard any information related to Temple Square events.

Some clarification for registration:

Couples are $60 each, so they only need to register for ONE ticket. This is located toward the bottom of the registration, and is not part of the special code. Once they select one ticket and click continue, it will ask if they will be coming both day, ($60), one of them both days/both of them one day ($30) or one of them on day ($15). Sorry for any confusion. Please email us at the email address below if you have any problems.

Adoptive parents and hopeful adoptive parents are invited.

We also are inviting expectant parents, birth parents, and their families again this year. A great amount of effort has gone into planning breakout sessions for them. Expectant parents and birth families may register for free by typing in “itsaboutlove” in the special code field on the registration form. Regular fees apply to their guests.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

A few hotel rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn (762 West Heritage Park Blvd, Layton, Utah, 84041) are blocked out for a discounted event rate. You may reserve a room by phone or through the hotel’s Web site. Call 801-416-8899 and make sure to mention the group code, which is “LDS” and the group name, which is “LDS Family Services.” You may also register online here. In the group code field, enter “LDS.” In order to get the discounted rate of $89, you must be registering for the blocked date (July 31^st). We will be posting other hotel options when the hotel is full.

CHILDREN'S ROOM

A children’s room will be available again during the conference and banquet. Please email Narda Emmett (imaemett@yahoo.com) to register your children. The cost will be $10 per day, per child. She will provide you with the details.

AIRPORT SHUTTLE

From the airport Express Shuttle - 801-596-1600.

QUESTIONS?

If you have general questions, please email contactus@ldsfamilyservices.org with “National Conference” as the subject.

HELP US HELP OTHERS

2009-07-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

It's time to give back to the community! FSA has decided to do a service project this year. What we have chosen to do is to help out teenagers who go into Foster Care. We need everyone's support to help make this a successful project. Please e-mail boisefsa@gmail.com with any way you can help support. We have already received 30 backpacks as a donation from FSA and JCPenney's.
We need your help to gather all the items needed to fill the backpacks. If you know of a company, individual or business that might be willing to contribute please let us know. We will need to gather all the items as identified below (we will be e-mailing you this list soon). Once we get all the items collected we will set a date to assemble the backpacks. Please drop off your donations at LDS Family Services 10740 West Fairview Avenue Ste. 100 Boise, Idaho 83713. Thanks for your continued support and efforts. We look forward to working more closely with you on this project. :)

The Backpack Project

The backpack project was designed to help teenagers entering the Foster Care system by providing them with essentials such as toiletries, school supplies and comfort items. Children taken into protective custody by Health and Welfare typically do not have time to bring their possessions with them as they enter foster care. Many children are taken directly from school, in the middle of the night, or in an emergency situation, so they do not have the basic necessities they need as they enter their new foster home. Teenagers have an especially big need for items as they enter Foster Care . This age group often gets overlooked when community partners donate to children in Foster Care. Please help us fill backpacks for teens entering Foster Care so that we can all show our love and support for them during this difficult time in their lives. The following are items needed to fill the backpacks. Any donation would be appreciated:

Journal
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Combs
Brush
Pajamas – M, L, XL, Draw string sleep pats, white t-shirts
Colored pencils
Pens
Paper/notebook
Chap stick
Lotion
Snacks- granola bars, jerky, power bars, fruit cups, sunflowers, corn nuts
Candy bars
Gum/mints
Small gift card (5.00 or so)
Sanitary products for girls
Shampoo/conditioner
Soap
Blanket (for boys – girls will receive stuffed animals, which we already have)
Water bottle
Hair ties
Finger nail polish
Silly putty
Crossword/ sudoku puzzles
Disposable Camera
Photo Album

Just a reminder! National FSA Conference

2009-07-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

July 31st - August 1st
Layton, Utah - Davis Conference Center
"Letting Love Lead"

Please see below if you plan on attending and would like a great deal on a hotel room ($89 discounted rate):

Hilton Garden Inn - Salt Lake City/Layton
West Heritage Park Blvd., Layton, Utah 84041
(801) 416-887 or book online
Group Code: LDS
Group Name: LDS Family Services

*In order to get the discounted rate of $89, you must be registering for the blocked dates, the night of July 31st. There are a few rooms available for the night prior to and the night after the conference. Please book your room reservations soon. The blocked out rooms will be released on July 11th.

Meridian Dairy Days Parade

2009-06-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

Meridian Dairy Days Parade--Updated!!!

2009-06-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

Friday June 19th
1st Annual Dairy Days Parade (in Meridian, Idaho)
FSA Theme: WE ARE MOOVED BY ADOPTION

Parade begins at 7pm on Water Tower Road. If you would like to be in the parade (and please do), meet between 6:00 & 6:30pm on Watertower Street (between the I-84 & Franklin) coming in off of Locust Grove. Use any of the parking lots nearby. Look for the FSA Truck and Train. We will be wearing "cow polk" attire and would encourage you to as well: white t-shirts, blue jeans, bandannas, western hats, boots, etc. Feel free to make your own signs, decorate wagons, wheelbarrows, whatever.

"Can we pass out candy?" You ask. The answer is: Yes, of course. We ask only that you "hand out" candy and not throw it, thereby encouraging a more positive outlook on adoption (adoption is sweet, not painful).

If you get parched easily and would like to keep your thirst-quenching beverage cold, a cooler will be provided for just such a job. Just make sure you put your name on it somewhere.

IMPORTANT: The parade will be broadcast on channel 24/7. So, if your adoption is private, you may want to J.D. Salinger it. If the opposite is true, then you can go wacky-wild for the amusement of many.

**Everyone is invited, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends and animal lovers**

National FSA Conference

2009-06-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

Birth Parent Appreciation Dinner

2009-05-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Birthmothers! Tonight was a nice evening. We enjoy spending time together while we ate Mexican food and had daiquiri drinks (don't worry we left the booze out). We had #2 people share a few thoughts with our birthmothers. We took turns hitting the pinata, ate the candy. :) We sent them off for the evening with a picture frame that said "it's about love". We love these birthmothers and we are grateful to have them in all of our lives.
Lisa, RaeAnn, Krissy with Garrett, Darci, Karine, Sandy, Susan, Scott and Jon.....thanks so much for everyones help! It was so much fun!!

A little man enjoying a yummy drink! Bottoms up....

Thanks Jeff! You did great working with the Pinata!

Creating a Blog

2009-05-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

Reasons for the blog:

A great resource for potential birth families to get a closer look at your family.
A wonderful tool for communication before, during and after placement with birth families.
You have complete control over what you can share on the blog
Your have the chance to "advertise" your blog on several adoption related blogs and sites....a great took in your "finding" journey

How do I get started?
www.blogger.com is a wonderful site to work from. It's free and very user friendly.

Things to consider:

How much personal information do we want to share?
How often do we want to update? Weekly, daily, monthly....
What is the main purpose of our family blog? Is is for our birthfamilies?
Are we comfortable with sharing what we have on here at all?
Blogs can be personal and still "un-identifying"-you DON"T want to share last names, home address, and phone numbers, schools attended or places of employment.
Some families even create fun nicknames for each family member to use on the blog instead of real names. Obviously if a birth mom comes to LDSFS website because of a link you have shared on there--she will know, but it doesn't allow the rest of the general public to know.

Creating a button for you blog: Blog Buttons are all the craze right now.....and you have the chance to stand out above the rest, you have a button versus just a name on a list of "hopeful couple". There are several great sources to help in creating a button. Why a button? It gives quick, eye popping access to your adoption profile. You can create a button for you LDSFS profile and blog. Wonderful source!!

http://jenieshell.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-to-make-blog-button.html this site gives step by step instructions on creating your own "button".

Four Weeks of Training

2009-04-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

We have just had 4 weeks of training. It was wonderful. Let me update you on our last 2 training classes that we had.

Week 3: The Journey Through Adoption
We had Darci and Dustin (an adoptive couple), Kurt (Darci's dad/grandfather), Tareen (Birthmother) and Lisa (an adult adoptee). They shared their stories on how adoption has made a difference in their lives. We had time for questions and answers.

Week 4: Making Your Adoption Happen
We had 3 couples--Heather and Ben (adopted through LDS FS), Greg and Kelly (adopted through Health and Welfare), Trevor and Lynsey (adopted through a family friend). They shared their stories before adoption then how their adoption happened. It's interesting to hear the varieties.
We then broke out into 4 small groups and had training. How to start a blog, On-Line Profile, Lingo/Emails to Family and Friends, Positive Thinking: Faith, Hope and Charity

Thanks to everyone who attended and supported this great cause. More training in October!!! :)

View Your Profile Hits

2009-04-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

Recently it was discovered that it is possible to check the number of profile hits on your LDS Family Services adoption profile!

Here is how you can do it:
1. Log into the Bluestep website.
2. Click on "Phase 4".
3. In the upper left corner choose "View Profile Statistics".

This is similar to what you will see:
Profile statistics since your profile was published.
Your Profile Message page has been viewed ____ times.
Your Photo Album has been been viewed ____ times.
Your Getting to Know Us page has been viewed ____ times.
Your Contact Us page has been viewed ____ times.

This information was found on ldsadoptioncouples.blogspot.com

The 2009 National Families Supporting Adoption Conference Information

2009-04-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

2009 FSA National Conference

'Letting Love Lead'

Start Time: Friday, July 31 at 10:00am

End Time: Saturday, August 1 at 4:00pm

Where: Davis Conference Center

800 West Heritage Park Boulevard

Layton, UT

There is a registration fee but it's worth it!

I will post that when I find what that amount is but you can also email your question to the address below!

For more information or to RSVP email your questions and inquiries to:

fsa-eb@ldsfamilyservices.org

I am also going to take this opportunity to encourage you to sign up on the National FSA website. You can find lots of great information there from your national FSA board, other FSA chapters news and websites, an FSA store where you can buy cool adoption gear and past National FSA conference presentations! Just go to: http://ldsfsfsa.bluestep.net/ and sign-up! It's easy and it's free!

Questions for Adoptive Couples written by Birthmothers

2009-04-15T04:15:00.000-07:00

You might find this interesting! Birthmother's here in Boise, Idaho got together and made a list questions that they might ask adoptive couples, when there is a face to face meeting. They have chosen to share these questions with us so that we might be prepared and know some of their questions. So here ya go......

1. What values are you going to teach your children?
2. What type of communication are you comfortable with? (Phone, e-mail, letters, visits, etc)
3. Do you want to have more children?
4. What are some of your family traditions/celebrations?
5. How do you deal with uncomfortable communication issues? (Avoidance, talking it out, etc)
6. What type of expectations/responsibilities do you have or want for your child/children?
7. What is one quality that you think makes a good parent?
8. Tell about your spouse and what you think makes a good parent?
9. Do you have a preference of the child's sex (male/female) or ethnic background (Caucasian, Hispanic, etc)
10. What is your favorite age of a child and why?
11. Describe your childhood.
12. What hopes and dreams do you feel will work well for a child?
13. What type of discipline do you feel works well for a child?
14. What kind of extra activities would you do with your child/as a family?
15. Would you consider adopting a child if you knew it had a high risk for a serious illness?
16. Are there any health issues you would think are to serious for your family to deal with for emotional or financial reasons?
17. When do you think you will be able to tell your child that they are adopted?
18. How involved in the pregnancy and delivery do you want to be?

Preference Checklist and Adoption Through Foster Care

2009-04-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

Last night our training class was on the preference checklist and Adoption through the Foster Care System. Doctor Mike Kaylor, who is a family practice physician through St. Lukes Family Medicine went through the preference checklist and explained some of the disorders and the likelihood of them being passed onto a baby if a birthparent has them. It was very interesting and educational and hopefully it will help families with their checklists. If you have any questions about a birthparent and a disorder, please contact your family physician to answer any questions.

Our second speaker was Lori Bresheres with Health and Welfare. She explained the process of adoption through Health and Welfare and answered a lot of questions. For those interested in adoption through Foster Care, if you have a completed homestudy, LDS Family Services can submit your homestudy to Health and Welfare to be considered as an adoptive family for children in Foster Care. She also explained some of the extra requirements such as PRIDE training through Health and Welfare. If you have any questions about Foster Care, or would like to be connected with your local Children and Family Services for Adoption through Foster Care, please dial 211 or 1-800-926-2588 and they will connect you to your local office. You can also talk to your caseworker through LDS Family Services. Last year there were 12 couples that had their homestudies done through LDS Family Services that had placements through Health and Welfare.

A big thank you to Dr. Kaylor and Lori for presenting to us last night. We had a really good turn out and we all learned a lot!

An awesome meeting!

2009-04-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a great training for FSA. Virginia, the birthparent volunteer and support leader, came to talk to us about the birthmother journey. She also brought several wonderful birthmothers with her to talk to us. The birthmothers were so brave and open in sharing their stories with us. They are truly special ladies. After sharing their stories and their love for the families they chose for their children, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Their spirit and love could be felt by everyone in the room. The birthmothers were also gracious enough to let us ask them questions. We all came away with a better understanding of the difficult process they go through, as well as the confirmation and peace that birthparents feel with their decisions. It was truly a wonderful meeting. A big thank you to Virginia and her sweet birthmothers!

Thoughts from Todd and Karine Mikesell about the birthparents journey

2009-04-03T04:40:00.000-07:00

So my husband and I are still crying over last nights beautiful experience we had at the adoption class. First, I want to say my testimony of birthmothers and what ANGELS they are has only strengthened. I have learned I was stupid in my thinking a long time ago... and my view of who these women are that give up their children, has changed and I feel nothing but love and honor towards them. With that said, I want to say... that I honestly believe with all my heart, before I came to earth and gained a body, that this child that is coming to our family was promised to us in the pre-existence. That who ever ends up being our birthmother, that she promised before hand to help us become the family we longed to be. I really believe these young women are exceptional people. I can't express that enough. Last nights meetings put all my fears of a birth mothers to rest. If and when I meet the birth mother of my child, I want her to be apart of our family as much as she wants to be. I hope she and I connect on so many levels and I hope that she feels the love and comfort of placing her child with us, as a couple of the young women we meant last night, felt about who they placed the child they gave life to, with. We got to know 7 exceptional young ladies... ages ranged from 16 to 30 and they each had their own stories. One was currently 19 years old and pregnant. I cried thru the 2 hours we were there. Todd too. We felt what these girls were saying. Their heart felt journey. WE felt this love for each of them and I just wanted to take each one of them home with me and keep them. There was this one girl who had a horrible adoption experience and my heart broke for her. She had just given up her child 3 months ago… and even though I did not know her, I truly was blessed to have met her. I told her I would pray for her to have comfort and I thanked her for sharing all that she did.I had so many personal confirmations from God last night. He confirmed to me over and over thru out the whole entire night... that this is what we were meant to do. There is a child waiting to be ours and apart of our family. I am just so grateful for the opportunity to do this. To learn about these very special women and the struggle they go thru and the heart ache they feel. Not only do they feel heart ache but they feel happiness too... they know what they are doing is what God wants of them and they do receive joy out of it as well. One girl got up and bore her testimony about that to us. The strangest thing was I swore I knew 3 of them. I probably had seen them somewhere and just recognized them again... but Todd even felt like we should have known them. It was a really moving night. I can't express the joy, the feelings we felt in words. The peace we gained, the knowledge...there was so much we walked away with from this meeting. For us the only comparison we have is the spiritual high we feel from the temple. The best thing I walked away with, is... I really hope my birth mother is apart of our lives. Watching the heart ache of the girls that did not have that. Touched me so deeply. Hearing these girls speak told me that they don't want to take my child away from me. They just need to know that the child is well and happy. How I wish I could have taken all these beautiful girls home with me. Meeting them has blessed my life in ways that are so profound. They are all so beautiful and so Christ like. They all are special angels from God. I was so honored to know them.So my night... as tears still fall down my face... was the most life changing and beautiful night I have ever had the pleasure of having. I am just that more excited about meeting my birth mother. I am that more excited to hold my baby in my arms to say... you are so loved and wanted... and you came from someone so very special! Todd and Karine Mikesell

Words to the song "Again"

2009-04-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

Words by Deborah Noyes Wright and Tyler Castleton
Music by Tyler Castleton
Vocal by Elizabeth Noyes Brown

There are times in our lives when our own decisions and choices or the decisions and choices of others bring fear to us. We may even feel that all is lost until we are comforted by a Power beyond ourselves who leads us to a place of peace and hope and reassures us "its time to start over again."

I've wrestled with demons and darkness
I've wrestled with what has been lost
I carry this crushing weight on my shoulders
And try not to think of the cost

It's more than a single decision
It's giving up part of myself
It's something I simply can't do on my own
So I'm pleading with You for Your help

CHORUS:
Again and Again
I've asked myself why
I don't think that I have any tears left to cry
My soul is so tired and I'm longing for rest
I'm giving my all and I'm doing my best
It hurts to move on from the place I am in
But You understand where I've been
And You reassure me it's time to start over
Again

I'm finally ready to listen
And I'm finally ready to hear
Struggling to get to a place You can reach me
Where peace can speak louder than fear
I can't see the end of this story
There's no way to know how it ends
For now I let go and I trust You to lead me
And show my heart where to begin

CHORUS

All of the pain and confusion I'm going through
I'm turning it over to You
Willing to trust it's the right thing to do

CHORUS

thoughts about The Birthparents Journey

2009-04-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had the honor of having Virginia come speak to us about the birthmothers journey. She is a volunteer that meets with the ladies/men weekly. She supports them in the direction they choose and gives them guidance along the way. We had given her questions and they were answered. She brought music to play for us as well as a slide show that touched our hearts. I think what I enjoyed the most was meeting 7 wonderful, beautiful and courageous women! The last hour we had an open question and answer. They were very open and honest with their experiences. Their hopes and dreams as well as disappointments along the way.

The ladies talked about finding their adoptive couples and how they received a confirmation. A few talked about how they knew the baby was not theirs but someone elses. Some women shared information about the birthfather. They talked about communication with their adoptive couple. They expressed sadness when adoptive couples commits to something then they don't follow through with the commitment. (so if you tell them you will write a letter once a week then you need to follow through.) They talked about how they would like to know when the sealing is happening. Communicate and decide if you want to invite your birthmom/birthfather to the sealing then just be honest with what you and your spouse has decided. Make sure you have clear communication. The biggest thing I got was that they don't want the baby back, they just want to know how he or she is doing. How do they look and how is the baby fitting in with your family.

It was wonderful. The Spirit was strong and loving as we all talked about life's journey. I am very grateful to be able to attend and meet them as well as all our new and old adoptive couples.

The Mixer Night....a big thank you!!

2009-02-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

I wanted to say thanks for all of you who had attended "the Mixer"!! I appreciate all the food that was brought in. I want to give a shout out to Lisa Wood, she did an good job on the games. And to Darcy Richards for fun kids craft, she is so creative. We had two young women who volunteered their services that night, Indigo Perkins and Shayla French!! Thank you for your service in helping us out for the evening. I hope you had as much fun as I did watching ya'll play musical chairs. ;) But more importantly I am grateful for the attendance and new friendships that are being built.

As the evening was coming to a close, I wanted to end with a spiritual thought. I talked about how Heavenly Father loves each of us. He knows and understand our trials. He hears our prayers. I shared stories of my own personal trial through the years. I read a scripture that I was blessed to find at a time when I needed strength and hope. Read it and ponder it.....

The scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they paths."

Then I found a story a few years ago that help teach me to keep going. To not give up on my dreams of having a family. I shared this story that night.

A Tale of Two Frogs

Two frogs fell into a deep milk bowl.
One of them had an optimist's soul,
While the other took a gloomier view:
"We shall drown," he cried, without further adieu,
And with on last despairing cry,
He flung up his legs and said goodbye.

So bravely he swam, until it would seem,
His struggles began to churn the cream.
And on top of the butter at last, he stopped---
then out of the bowl he gaily hopped.
What of the moral? It's easily found:
If you cannot hop out, keep swimming around.
--ANTHONY P. CASTLE

So, if you feel lost, frustrated, no one understands what your going through or knows your situation. My advice to you is "just keep swimming, just keep swimming!" :) and come to the meetings and activities because we DO know what your feeling. You will have prayers answered as well as your hopes and dreams. I look forward to getting to know all of you and seeing your families grow. Have faith and stay the course.

May God Bless each and everyone of you!!
Sandy Phillips
FSA boardmember

LDS Couples Hoping to Adopt

2009-02-06T07:56:00.001-08:00

Here is a blog for couples who are in the "searching" phase of adoption. There are some great ideas if you don't have an adoption blog. If you have a blog then this is another way to get your name out there. Check it out....it's a nice setup:

http://ldsadoptioncouples.blogspot.com/

Check with your caseworker before you post yourself on the blog. :)

The Gift of Adoption, February Ensign and Friend

2009-01-22T08:53:00.000-08:00

In the Ensign is an article called The Gift of Adoption and it is on pages 36-44. It is divided into four sections; one written by a birth mother, the next was written by a birth father, then a birth grandfather and finally one written by an adult adoptee (none were related to the same situation). They each talk about their story and how their lives were changed (for the better) by adoption.

In the Friend is an article called Making a Family and it is on pages 16 & 17. It is based on a true story about a family who had adopted a child.

just another reminder of the new website

2009-01-22T08:38:00.000-08:00

New FSA Website

FSA Member,
Greetings from the National Families Supporting Adoption Board!We are excited to announce that the Families Supporting Adoption website is live at familiessupportingadoption.org.
In order to see the contents of the web site, you will be prompted to register, and to create a username and password for future use. The following are just a few of the many features you will find on this site:

*Calendar of upcoming FSA events
*FSA Chapter newsletters across the country
*Items for sale at the FSA store
*Detailed information on FSA's core efforts and activities
*FSA National Newsletter
*Presentations from national and regional FSA conferences
*Official FSA Handbook
*And Much More!

Please visit the site soon and tell us what you think and how it can be improved.
Thank you for keeping the spirit and practice of adoption alive!

National FSA Board

We need your help!

2009-01-16T13:18:00.000-08:00

We need some help with the blog and the great things that will take place in 2009!

1. We are looking for a space to meet when we have FSA activities! Do you have a subdivision clubhouse we could use? If you do, please email us at boisefsa@gmail.com

2. Calling all crafters....We know you're out there with great ideas! :) We need some very inexpensive ideas for mother day gifts for birth mothers, father day gifts for birth fathers, placement gifts, birth parent gift when they place a baby, etc.

3. We would like your input on this blog. Please send any ideas you have or suggestions on how we can make this blog a positive and helpful journey for adoptive couples.Thanks for all your help!

Respecting your Privacy

2009-01-16T13:09:00.000-08:00

We want you to know that we will do our best to respect your privacy, both with your birth parents and your family. We will not post any of your information without your permission first. So if you see a camera going and you don't want to be in the picture, just let us know. We want to keep your privacy, private. We do appreciate those couples who now and in the future will contribute themselves to FSA and to this blog. Have a safe and Happy New Year!