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Families Like Ours, ED BLOG

FLO expands SAFE project for WA State LGBT&Q Foster Youth

Tue, 01/24/2012 - 14:02 | David's BLOG

Families Like Ours (FLO), has been able to expand our specialized recruitment SAFE project to find adoptive families for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBT&Q) Washington State foster youth. Through grants and direct donations, we are now able to hire a full time youth recruiter. 

Since 2003 FLO has been called upon to consult with, and find permanent homes for Washington State LGBT&Q foster youth. Much of this work has been a side note to their primary focus of supporting pre and post adoptive-foster families.

Current reports indicate that 14.5% of Washington foster youth are self identifying as LGBT&Q. The problems these youth and their professional team’s encounter can create additional instability for the youth, manifesting itself in added behavioral, and educational, emotional and even life threatening concerns. This project is designed to bring stability to these youth and encourage self recognition of their own personal worth, and show them the possibility of a bright future.

The team at FLO will be working directly with the youth’s DSHS team, ensuring LGBT&Q cultural competencies while seeking permanent families for youth in question. While a family is being sought, their team will be preparing the child for adoption. Once that adoptive family has been found, wraparound services will be put into place to further support the youth and family.

While this is a State wide project, FLO will be concentrating their efforts within the metro Puget Sound community. The project is designed to work with front line social service professionals, primarily with youth needing permanency. Families that would like to learn more about LGBT&Q foster youth needing adoption are encouraged to contact FLO directly at 206-441-7602 or email.

Federal Adoption Tax Credit for 2011 tax year

Thu, 01/19/2012 - 13:10 | David's BLOG

Hello everyone, we wanted to get this this update out to everyone that has finalized their adoption during the 2011 calender year. NACAC has provided some very good information, examples and forms.

Claiming the Federal Adoption Tax Credit for 2011

Let us know if you have any questions.

David

National Adoption Month!

Sun, 11/06/2011 - 21:22 | David's BLOG

Each November adoptive families, agencies, support groups and others celebrate adoption with events throughout the month. FLO began the month with a dinner auction and comedy show on Saturday the fifth.
 
Thank you everyone for joining us and a big thank you to our community donors and supporters. FLO wouldn’t be here without your support and dedication. We would like to thank our special guest speakers Commissioner Watness and Rick Phillips for their inspiration and dedication.
 
This event wouldn’t have happened without the hard work of John Coake (FLO Board Member), Rebbecca Holcombe (FLO volunteer fundraising committee member), Bradley Ciliberto (FLO volunteer fundraising committee member), Marja Vaananen (FLO family and Youth Support Specialist), Conrad Wing-Kovarik (FLO Board Member) and of course our generous auction donors and community supporters. Oh, and let’s not forget the Crowne Plaza and our GSA student volunteers Skyler, Lorriane, John and Shelby! A big shout-out to Dave at Stokes Auction Group, you worked hard tonight!
 
It is from events like these and others that make everything we do here at FLO possible. When you get a chance, take a look at some of the photos from the evening posted on the FLO FaceBook page.
 
Thank you!
 
David
Executive Director
Families Like Ours, Inc. (FLO)
Devoted to the needs and support of adoptive families since October 2000, a nonprofit 501c(3)

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