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Published quarterly by theMichigan Adoption
Resource ExchangePO Box 980789
Ypsilanti, MI 48197800.589.MAREwww.mare.org
MARE is a program of Judson Center and is funded by the
Michigan Department of Human Services.
RECRUITMENT NEWS
Winter 2013
Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
MCI Updates 2
Documentation Corner 2
Youth Poster Contest 4
Featured Child 4
Upcoming Events 4
For Michigan Adoption Professionals
ADOPTION TAX CREDIT MADE PERMANENTCredit remains flat, but is now non-refundable
The adoption tax credit allows adoptive parents to deduct adoption expenses from their federal taxes. This includes all expenses related to a legal adoption. As 2012 came to a close, many advocates and adoptive families were concerned with the outcome of the credit since it was expected to expire December 31, 2012.
On January 2, 2013, Congress passed the American Tax Payer Relief Act. It ensured the adoption tax credit to be permanent. The credit will remain flat for special needs adoptions; meaning qualifying individuals will be able to claim maximum credit regardless of their expenses, which will be at least $12,650 per adopted child for the 2013 year.
While permanence of this credit comes as great news there is one major change that will affect many families. The Tax credit is now non-refundable, which is a change from tax years 2010 and 2011, meaning only individuals who have tax liability will benefit.
Current updates regarding the Adoption Tax credit are shared via MARE’s social media pages as they are made available. For further information regarding this subject please visit the following websites:
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
Adopt Us Kids
Save the Adoption Tax Credit
NOTE: Adoptive families should always consult with a tax professional regarding their individual circumstances.
MICHIGAN CHILDREN’S INSTITUTE UPDATES
page 2
Michigan Children's Institute
Staff Phone List
Bill Johnson, MCI [email protected]
517-373-3594
Bruce Hoffman, [email protected]
517-335-6152Contact for:
Guardianship, FCRB Appeals, Discharge of MCI Wardship, Restoration of Custody
Mary Rossman, [email protected]
517-241-7052Contact for:
Competing Party Cases
Jim Lewis, [email protected]
517-335-6635Contact for:
Regular Consents and Recruited Families
Katie McClain, [email protected]
517-335-6421Contact for:
Status of Consents
NOTE: Authorization for Medical Care
In the absence of the MCI Superintendent, any of the MCI Consultants are authorized to give
medical consent.
Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange
The following are notices from Bill Johnson sent by MARE on 12/28/12 to all adoption supervisors, regarding requesting MCI Consent for adoption:
In counties where there are acting DHS county directors, expedited consents should be sent to the MCI office in Lansing and not to the acting county director. At such time as permanent directors are appointed, MCI authority will be delegated to the directors at that time.
Any adoption placements involving an adoptive placement in another state should not be treated as expedited consent. These consent requests should be sent to the MCI office even if the child is in the recommended home. In the future, policy will be changed to reflect this.
Remember to include the agency name and address on the DHS-3217 and DHS-3217-A forms. The MCI office would like to make sure that consent packets are returned to the correct agency at their correct mailing address and if the address is not clearly indicated, it is possible that mailing errors can occur.
Please contact the MCI office if you have questions.
Michigan Worker Nationally Recognized
DOCUMENTATION CORNER***Helpful Hints for Adoption Workers***
Monthly Agency Tracking Reports
MARE tracks children’s cases until either an Order Placing Child is received, or the child’s goal changes from adoption in SWSS. It is important that workers check the MARE Monthly
Tracking Report sent to their agency supervisor every month to ensure the child has been removed from MARE’s tracking.
If a child remains on the tracking list, it probably means MARE is in need of further documentation or needs your assistance to
have the DHS worker update SWSS.
Checking these tracking reports each month will insure your agency’s compliance with all of MARE’s documentation
requirements.
Need more documentation help? Contact Chaely Chartier, MARE's Data Analyst at (734) 528-2043 or
page 3Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange
Alyssa Bambard of
Adoption Options
Worldwide
Alyssa Bambard, Adoption Director at Adoption Options Worldwide in Bloomfield, MI was recently recognized by Adopt US Kids as Caseworker of the Month for December, 2012.
Alyssa was nominated by an adoptive parent whom she matched with a sibling group of two on her caseload. The adoptive parent, who resides in California, nominated Alyssa “For her dedication to recruiting families by communicating with them regularly, and for doing the work of digging deeper to know the family.”
Congratulations to Alyssa on this honor, and thank you for your dedication to Michigan’s waiting children!
To read the full story, click here.
Contact the MARE Staff
Heidi Raubenolt, Program [email protected]
Michelle Parra, MARE [email protected]
Loren Sanders, Adoption Navigator Program Supervisor
Chaely Chartier, Data [email protected]
Ann Riggs, Recruitment [email protected]
Brandon Monzon, Communication Specialist
Laura Rutkowski, Intake [email protected]
Jennifer Dickey, Youth [email protected]
Jeremiah Balazovich, Support [email protected]
Ashley Biggs, MARE [email protected]
Jamie Warmanen, MARE [email protected]
UPCOMING ADOPTION EVENTS
MARE Match PartySaturday, March 9, 2013, 11AM-2PM, Redford, MI
To register a child or family, contact MARE at 800.589.6273.
MAFAK 2013 Annual ConferenceApril 25-27, 2013, Lansing, MI
Registration and more information at: www.mafak.co
MARE is currently scheduling match parties and recruitment events for 2013.
Please contact Ann Riggs, MARE Recruitment Specialist at (734) 528-2070 or
[email protected] if you would like to partner with us on an event.
page 4Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange
Damon is a charming and likable young boy. He enjoys doing his best to please others. Damon likes to be active by playing basketball and riding his bike. In addition, he enjoys playing video games.
Damon is learning how to effectively manage and express his emotions in a consistent and positive manner. He would benefit from guidance on establishing and maintaining friendships with his peers. At school, Damon receives good grades but can have difficulty being a positive influence around his classmates. He would benefit from encouragement on improving his view of himself and his abilities.
Damon would do best in a two-parent home that can provide him structure, consistency and compassion. Damon is in need of a family that will provide him with a patience and support as he works to improve his self-esteem along with his emotional and behavioral responses to daily frustrations. The family should be creative and flexible in their parenting style and techniques as Damon does best with consistent redirection and structure. Damon thrives with positive and individual attention and would do best in an adoptive home where he was the youngest or only child in the home.
To learn more about Damon, C07919, call 800-589-MARE or visit www.mare.org
MEET DAMON!
WINTER 2013’s Featured Child
Have youth on your caseload who
enjoy art?
2013 MARE Youth Poster Contest
THEME: What superpowers would your forever family have?
Encourage youth to use their skills to draw, sketch, or paint something that could be used on next year’s MARE promotional poster.
The winning artist will receive a $50 gift card and be recognized at the 2013 Michigan Heart Gallery Grand Opening Event!
Please submit artwork to Jen Dickey, MARE’s Youth Specialist by mail or email at [email protected].
SEE DAMON’S
YOUTUBE
VIDEO HERE!
