Dublin, U.S.A. — Tis the season for cherishing special moments with family. But what about those who don’t have one?  To honor children in foster care, Wendy’s is asking American families to tune into CBS Television Network’s 14th Annual “A Home for the Holidays,” a program honoring the joys of adoption told through inspirational stories from families involved in this rewarding process and performances by Rachel Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Rascal Flatts and other entertainers. The special, sponsored by Wendy’s, airs Wednesday, December 19, at 8:00 p.m. EST on CBS.

With more than 400,000 children in foster care in the United States, and over 100,000 of them available for adoption, Wendy’s is also encouraging consumers to “tweet it” to “treat it” back to this important cause. For every tweet using #TreatItFwd until December 21, Wendy’s will donate 50¢ to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA), the non-profit organization established in 1992 by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted. Wendy’s will donate up to $25,000 to the Foundation in support of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the signature program of DTFA that focuses on moving America’s longest-waiting children in foster care into adoptive families.

“Our involvement in ‘A Home for the Holidays’ and our social media fundraising are just a few ways we give back to the communities and families we serve every year,” said Emil Brolick, President and CEO of Wendy’s International. “We are grateful for the support of our customers who have helped us raise more than $10 million this year to find permanent loving homes for children in foster care.”

Wendy’s provides a range of ways for its customers to get involved throughout the year, such as:

• Offering donation canisters at its restaurants’ front counters
• Donating 50¢ to DTFA for each Frosty purchased over Father’s Day Weekend
• Selling $1 Halloween Frosty coupon books for free Jr. Frosty desserts

To date, Wendy’s has helped more than 3,000 children in foster care find forever families, and several thousand more have been matched with families and are awaiting adoption. Data from a five-year study of Wendy’s Wonderful Kids shows that children referred to the program are up to three times more likely to get adopted.

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The Mentor Network, a national network of local human services providers, has launched a new website – www.makeadifferenceathome.com – and an online advertising campaign designed to increase awareness about the need for more Host Home providers.

Host Homes consist of individuals and families who provide caring homes in the community for children in need and adults with developmental disabilities.  In partnership with The Mentor Network, Host Home providers open their hearts and their homes and have the opportunity to earn extra money to help make ends meet.

“The Mentor Network is called a ‘network’ for a reason — it’s not just one person or group.  It’s a national network of people, in communities across the country, who are joined by the common belief that positive, nurturing relationships are the basis for growth and change and that these relationships are best fostered through active participation in the daily rhythms of neighborhood and family life,” said Dwight Robson, Chief Public Strategy & Marketing Officer at The Mentor Network.

Across the nation, there are more than 100,000 individuals with developmental disabilities who are waiting for access to community-based services.  In addition, there are more than 400,000 children in the foster care system.

“There are already thousands of individuals who have decided to make a difference at home, but the need for community-based care continues to grow,” Robson said.  “Through this campaign we hope to show people how rewarding this work can be and encourage them to consider how much of a difference they could make in the life of an adult or child in need.”

The new website is designed to help interested individuals learn more about being a foster parent or host home provider and includes videos, case studies and other interactive features.

“We refer to our host home providers and foster parents as ‘Mentors’ because they do so much more than just provide a home to an individual in need — they help them grow and learn, forever changing their lives,” Robson continued.  “Mentors make a huge difference to the life of an individual and they also earn extra money at home that can help make ends meet.”

Mentors are caring individuals from all walks of life who provide support for children with emotional, medical and behavioral challenges and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Mentors help children and adults thrive as part of the community and positively impact their home life.

“When you take in and care for a foster child or an adult with developmental disabilities, you’re giving them something money can’t buy — a helping hand, a home, a family, and someone who wants to share a life with them.  As a Mentor, you show them through your actions that we all matter and we all deserve to live life to the fullest,” said Robson.

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Casey Family Programs, a national operating foundation committed to improving the lives of children and families in communities across America, has named Linda James of Rochester, N.Y., among the winners of the annual Casey Excellence for Children Awards.

The foundation gives the awards to recognize outstanding individuals who have demonstrated distinguished work, exceptional leadership and relentless dedication in improving the child welfare system.

Ms. James received the award in the category for kinship caregivers. The award recognizes a licensed or non-licensed caregiver who provides care for a relative’s child, and has advocated for other kinship caregivers and the relative children in their care. Linda James has raised two grandchildren, and since 1997 has facilitated an educational support group for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.

In collaboration with the University of Rochester, Ms. James helped develop and facilitate the trainings of more than 20 grandparents as home visitors and mentors for supporting other kinship care providers. She also provides one-on-one assistance and advocacy to help grandparents navigate through guardianship application paperwork.

Ms. James has participated for many years in the New York State Kincare Coalition and she chaired the Kinship Care Alliance in the Rochester area. She serves on many organizations, including the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights, the New York State Children and Family Trust Fund, the Relatives Resource Committee for Monroe County Family Court, and the Advocacy Center in Rochester. The governor appointed Ms. James in 2007 to serve on the New York State Family Caregiver Council.

“Linda James carries the banner for countless others across the nation who are doing extraordinary work on behalf of those involved in the foster care system,” said Shelia Evans-Tranumn, chair of the Board of Trustees of Casey Family Programs. “She shares our goal to have every child grow up in a healthy, safe and permanent family, and within a supportive community.”

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The upcoming election in New South Wales (NSW) Australia is set to be a memorable one, with many of the polls predicting a Liberal government will be in power for the first time in decades.

Current Labor Premier Kristina Kinneally has been campaigning in a series of interviews, advertisements and public policy announcements.

Opposition Liberal leader Barry O’Farrell has recently received positive publicity from two high profile charities in NSW with an announcement that a Coalition government would begin policies to bring children out of care homes.

Ms Jane Woodruff CEO of UnitingCare Burnside said that the removal of children from their homes can often be highly traumatic.

“We welcome an approach that aims to work closely with families to reduce
the number of children in care.

“It is important, however, that policy changes do not provide any obstacles to
removing those children in need of care and protection. Any child that needs
to be removed from their home should be – that is not negotiable,” Ms
Woodruff said.

The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) also expressed its strong support for the proposed policy changes.

ACWA CEO Andrew McCallum said that reducing the number of children in care should be a priority for the government.

“Reform in this area is long overdue.

“Increasing the non-government sector’s role in service delivery, combined with a significant investment in prevention and early intervention services, will go a long way to  breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect in our community and ensuring that removing a child from their family remains a solution of last resort.”

The election will be decided in NSW at the end of March.

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