Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP, re-affirms his support for ethical adoption reform at the launch of National Adoption Awareness Week
**MEDIA RELEASE**
Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP, re-affirms his support for ethical adoption reform at the launch of National Adoption Awareness Week
National Adoption Awareness Week held its official launch at Parliament House, Canberra this morning, with the Prime Minister, The Hon. Tony Abbott MP, re-affirming his support for reform of the adoption process in Australia, setting a goal of 12 months as the time it will take for families wanting an ethical adoption process in Australia.
Adopt Change will continue to work with the Australian government in establishing a Centre for Excellence, connected to an Australian University, to promote best practice and support caseworkers, parents and children. “We are encouraged by the Prime Minister’s announcement today. We look forward to working closely with the government towards the implementation of a National model, that supports families throughout the adoption process to provide lasting and loving connections”, said, CEO Adopt Change, Jane Hunt, who officially joined the organisation this week.
As part of National Adoption Awareness Week (NAAW), 9-15th November, Adopt Change will run a series of community events, specialised seminars, workshops and a webinar, across Australia, led by Dr Casey Call and Dr Amanda Howard, from the Institute of Child Development, Texas Christian University, USA.
Dr Call and Dr Howard are authorities on child-attachment psychology and are experienced in facilitating behavioral change programs for adopted children who exhibit various levels of trauma. In a joint statement, they said, “This is a world problem; we’re all learning together. We need policies and procedures that reflect current levels of brain research”. They also said, that, “In the U.S. the states that spent the most on children and their needs had the lowest per-capita prison populations”.
National Adoption Awareness Week was first launched in 2008, by Deborra-Lee Furness and is an annual event each November. As part of National Adoption Awareness Week, Furness recorded the following community service announcement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cdjbTFs04E
ENDS
Please contact: Samantha Dybac m: +61 411 251 373 e: sjdybac@sammway.com.au
Available for Interview:
Dr Casey Call, Dr Amanda Howard, Institute of Child Development, Texas Christian University, USA. John O’Neill, Chair, Adopt Change
Jane Hunt, CEO, Adopt Change
Deborra-Lee Furness, Founder and Board member, Adopt Change. Nb. Furness is based in New York with limited availability.
Research studies and results, by Dr Call and Dr Howard, available upon request. Website: http://www.adoptchange.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdoptChangeAU
Board Members: Deborra-Lee Furness (Patron), John O’Neill (Chair), Helen McCabe, Victoria Buchan,
Kerry Chikarovski, Catherine McDonnell.
Image: The Hon. Tony Abbott MP, launches National Adoption Awareness Week, Parliament House, Canberra, Friday 7 November 1030am AEDT. Also pictured, CEO Adopt Change, Jane Hunt and Chair, Adopt Change, John O’Neill.
