Lisa Maynard elected to NYSCCC Board

On May 7, 2009, Lisa Maynard, Hillside Children’s Center Adoption Services executive director, had the honor of being elected to the New York State Citizen's Coalition for Children's Board of Directors.

Lisa, a long time member and volunteer with the organization, said the New York State Citizen's Coalition for Children (NYSCCC) gave Adoption Resource Network, Inc.(now Adoption Resource Network at Hillside Children's Center) the original grant to incorporate and organize in 1991 with the goal to provide information, education, guidance, and support to members of the adoption triad in Monroe and surrounding counties.

Incorporated in 1975, NYSCCC was organized to address problems in New York’s child welfare system. These problems had resulted in protracted foster care stays in what was intended to be a temporary system, but had, in fact, become the way of life for thousands of children in the foster care system. Coalition activities to address these problems over its 34 year history have been focused on:

• Administrative and Legislative Advocacy


• Community Education


• Parent Group Development and Support Services


• Recruitment of Families for Waiting Children

“I am proud to have been a part of NYSCCC for many years, and now have the good fortune to assist with their work in the coming years,” said Lisa.

National Association of Social Workers recognizes Hillside's Lisa Maynard

Adoption Resource Network at Hillside Children’s Center Executive Director Lisa Maynard has been named as the Social Work Student of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Lisa was nominated for this award by the University of Buffalo School of Social Work, which Lisa is attending while working toward a Masters Degree in Social Work. Lisa received the award during the NASW awards dinner held on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at the Burgundy Basin Inn outside of Rochester, NY.

Forum held on opening adoption records

By Lisa Maynard, Hillside Children’s Center Adoption Services executive director

On May 7, 2009, the Services Overview Committee of the Hillside Children’s Center Board of Directors hosted a special meeting to discuss the many perspectives on the controversial issue regarding opening adoption records and an adoptee’s right to access his or her original birth certificate. Respected ethicist, Maxine Vandewettering, served as moderator, with a panel of presenters representing different aspects of adoption. The panel was comprised of: Sally, adoptive mom to three children; Anne, adopted adult and adoptive mom; Ted, adopted adult; Mary, birthmother to a son born in 1946; and Pat, a former Hillside Social Worker in adoption.

The discussion was emotional and rich. Those in favor presented compelling personal stories and arguments for supporting access to birth records. The panelist against open records presented her thoughtful reasoning, and was equally compelling. The audience made wonderful use of the Q&A session, no doubt leaving the Forum with many more questions than answers.

National organizations are examining this issue, as well. A publication released in November 2007 by the Evan B. Donaldson Institute for Adoption for National Adoption Awareness month, (http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/research/2007_11_for_records.php) represents the most comprehensive examination to date of one of the most controversial, emotional issues in the modern adoption world: whether adopted people, once they become adults, should have access to their original birth certificates. This report suggests that all states change their laws so that the answer is "yes."

This policy paper is the result of the broadest, most extensive examination to date of the various issues related to state laws governing adult adopted persons' access to their original birth certificates. The information and recommendations in this paper are drawn from a review and analysis of past and current state laws; legislative history in states across the country; decades of experience on relevant issues; and the body of research relating to sealed and open records on the affected parties.

Among the findings in the report, "For the Records: Restoring a Right to Adult Adoptees," are:

• Prohibiting adopted people from getting their personal information raises significant civil rights concerns and potentially serious, negative consequences for their physical and mental health.
• In states that now allow access, there has been no evidence that the legal changes have caused problematic behavior by adopted persons or damage to birthmother's lives.
• Another assertion by critics of changing these laws - that abortion rates will rise and adoption rates will fall - is not supported by the evidence; in fact, it appears just the opposite occurs.

Using input from the Forum on Open Records, the Hillside Children’s Center Board and Hillside Family of Agencies Board of Directors will be making a decision on Hillside’s position to support a change in the New York State law.

If you would like to join this discussion, please email me at lmaynard@hillside.com. All voices are welcome.

Adoption interns make a difference

Over the last nine months, Hillside Children’s Center’s Adoption Services have had the good fortune to have four amazing interns serving children and families.

Erin Pena, Rebecca Coppenrath, and Leia Barkman, who are all Masters of Social Work degree students at Roberts Wesleyan College, took active roles in providing adoption services to children and families.

Erin primarily worked with Jacquie Morrison, assisting families in our International Adoption program. Rebecca and Leia primarily worked with Linda Harris, assisting families seeking to adopt through our Waiting Child Adoption program. Jennifer Castonguay assisted Mike Finn with AdoptMent and Lisa Petrosino with Wendy's Wonderful Kids.

The interns gained skills in interviewing, assessment, writing homestudies, navigating the child welfare system, group facilitation, and the intricacies of working inside of an agency.
All of us at Hillside’s Adoption Services are pleased to report that both Leia Barkman and Jennifer Castonguay have been hired as permanent staff members. Leia is a social worker with Hillside Children’s Center’s Monroe Region therapeutic foster care team and Jenn is a skillbuilder in adoption services. All four interns made valuable contributions to our program and services.

Pictured left to right in photo: Front row-Rebecca Coppenrath, Leia Barkman, Erin Pena, Lisa Maynard, and Jacquie Morrison; Back row-Mike Carroll, Shari Bartlett, Cecelia Spinelli, and Linda Harris.