For the Children is a Foster / Adoptive Parent Support Group in the Coachella Valley and Blythe Area.
August 2010 Newsletter
Caregiver Information Forms
English Version
Click here to download and print the pdf file.
Spanish Version
Click here to download and print the pdf file.Adoption Tax Credit
When you adopt a child you maybe entitled to an adoption tax credit on your tax return. The credit of $12,150 for 2009 is per child, not per year. Consult your tax advisor for specific information on how this applies to your taxes.
The string attached to this credit is that the child must be special needs. ALL children who were Foster Children (which is most of our kids) are considered special needs. So when the tax advisor, or anyone else, asks this question, the answer is yes.
Some further details for your information only.
Adoption Credit Scheduled to Sunset after 2010
The tax credit for adoptions was expanded from $5,000, or $6,000 for special needs adoptions, to $10,000 adjusted annually for inflation. This expanded tax credit amount was part of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and sunsets after the year 2010. The dollar amount of the credit will revert back to $5,000 or $6,000 if a special needs child is adopted beginning in the year 2011. Congress would need to pass a law to prevent the higher tax credit amounts from expiring.
Adoption Tax Credit Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the adoption credit, you must:
• Adopt an eligible child, and
• Pay qualified adoption expenses out of your own pocket.
Eligible Children include:
• any child age 17 or younger, or
• a child of any age who is a US citizen or resident alien and who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself.
Qualified Adoption Expenses are calculated by:
• Adding up all the expenses related to the adoption,
• Subtracting any amounts reimbursed or paid for by your employer, government agency, or other organization.
Adoption expenses include any and all costs directly relating to your adoption and that are reasonable and necessary for your adoption. Expenses include adoption fees, legal fees, court costs, and travel expenses.
Taxpayers who adopt a special needs child can claim the full amount of the adoption credit without regard to the actual expenses paid in the year the adoption becomes final.
RECALL NOTICE
Graco
The plastic hinges on the canopy can cut, amputate children’s fingertips
About 1.5 million strollers made by Graco Children's Products are being recalled after reports of children's fingers being cut when the canopy is opening or closing. The recalled strollers are Graco's Passage, Alano and Spree strollers and travel systems.
They were made in China and sold at Babies "R" Us, Toys "R" Us, Kmart, Fred Meyer, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart, Meijers, AAFES, Navy Exchange, Burlington Coat Factory and other retailers for between $80 and $90 for the strollers and between $150 and $200 for the travel systems.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall Wednesday morning after Graco received seven reports of children being injured when their fingers got caught in canopy hinge as it was being opened or closed. Two children's fingers were cut and there were five reports of children losing their fingertips.
The recalled strollers were manufactured between October 2004 and February 2008. The manufacture date and model number can be found on the lower inside portion of the rear frame, just above the rear wheels.
Graco made two styles of hinges for the strollers. Those on the strollers being recalled are plastic, jointed hinges with indented notches for positioning the canopy. For a complete list of the model numbers of recalled strollers and travel systems, visit the CPSC's Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/.
Anyone with a recalled stroller should stop using it and contact Graco at 800-345-4109 to receive a free protective cover repair kit. The company's Web site is http://www.gracobaby.com/.
To report any injuries related to the products being recalled by Graco recall, go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx.
Here is a site that allows you to type in the item and find out if it has been recalled:
Dear Friend:
Here in the Coachella Valley, approximately 65 children are removed from their homes each month as a result of abuse or neglect. Given the large number of children entering the system, and due to the lack of licensed foster and adoptive families, many are placed outside of the area, away from schools, friends and life’s other familiarities that they hold so dear.
For the Children (an FAPA) – a nonprofit organization that recruits and supports foster and adoptive parents, and relative caregivers here in the Coachella Valley, is actively working to encourage new families to open their homes and their hearts to the children in our area that are in desperate need. But we need your support!!
Part of that needed support is in the form of new clothing, new shoes, entertainment, new school supplies, after-school events, and holiday and birthday parties. We also need help with establishing a resource fund for the families we serve.
We rely on the community, - our children’s community - to help bring and maintain these needed services. Your tax deductible gift can and will help make a precious difference in a life that is already touched by turmoil and strife. Please help us to positively affect the destinies of these community leaders of tomorrow by giving graciously.
Please earmark your gifts to: FOR THE CHILDREN FAPA (FEIN#20-8809388) at the address listed below, or for more information you can contact me at:
760 567-7954.
Sincerely,
Silvia Signoret
President
Click here to download and print the pdf file.
OPENING MORE HOMES TO FOSTER CHILDREN
Legislation would prohibit discrimination against adoptive and foster parents based on sexual orientation, marital status
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, today introduced H.R. 3827, the “Every Child Deserves a Family Act.” In the same manner that we ended race discrimination in adoption, this legislation would prohibit states and child welfare agencies from denying or delaying adoption or foster care placements solely based on the sexual orientation or marital status of the potential parents.
“It is unacceptable that states are denying children healthy, loving homes simply because of a potential parent’s sexual orientation or marital status,” said Rep. Stark. “The Every Child Deserves a Family Act ensures that the best interests of children are the only criteria for finding adoptive and foster parents.”
Over 129,000 children are awaiting an adoptive home or permanent placement, and there is a shortage of adoptive and foster parents. Those who never find a permanent family – about 25,000 a year who “age out” of the system – are more likely than nearly any other group to become homeless, incarcerated, or suffer with mental illness or substance abuse. Despite this shortage of adoptive and foster parents and the terrible consequences of long stays in the child welfare system, some states have enacted discriminatory bans prohibiting children from being placed with qualified parents due to the parent’s marital status or sexual orientation.
Nearly all mainstream organizations that advocate for children, including the Child Welfare League of America, the American Psychological Association, and the American Bar Association all support adoption and foster parenting by qualified unmarried and gay and lesbian parents.
For Rep. Stark’s floor statement, please visit: http://www.stark.house.gov
For the bill text, please visit: http://www.stark.house.govt.pdf
CONTACT: Brian Cook, (202) 225-3202; Mary Bono Mack (202) 225-5330
