A group of Congressional members supportive of adoption are working to create a streamlined system to match orphans from Haiti with U.S. families. Helping to lead these efforts is Senator Mary Landrieu, a longtime adoption advocate. Although the legislation championed by the group would focus first on Haitian orphans, it would ultimately apply to other areas in which there are orphans in need of families, seeking to make aspects of international adopion overseen by the U.S. government smoother and easier. Supportive members of the U.S. Senate will seek to get the “Families for Orphans Act” out of committee this week and on to the floor of the Senate for a vote. Among other elements, the bill would establish a specific office in the State Department to focus on adoption and to advance policies that work to find permanent homes for orphans.
Haiti Spurs Push for Adoption Reforms in U.S. Government
By Jedd Medefind on January 27, 2010
Jedd Medefind serves as President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), an alliance of more than 300 organizations and a global network of churches working together to inspire and equip Christians to care effectively for vulnerable children and families. His background includes serving in the White House as a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, leading the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, as well as a range of posts in the California State Legislature. Jedd writes and speaks frequently on faith, human flourishing and emerging technology and is the author of several books, including Becoming Home and Rule Your Tech (So It Won’t Rule You).
