CRADLE Events - The Cradle

DCFS | ...Continued
be interested in assuming oversight of this program, we were
honored and proud, and looked at this challenge as an opportunity
to assist even more children. As a leader in child welfare, we
look forward to strengthening our relationship with Illinois DCFS
and expanding The Cradle’s role in the public child welfare sector.
MAKING THE HOLIDAYS BRIGHTER
With the holidays approaching, we wanted to do even more.
The Cradle Associates, the young professionals board of The
Cradle, has committed to helping make the holidays brighter
for these children by donating gifts. With 80 families and more
than 200 children in the program, we have also reached out to
Cradle staff, donors and friends for assistance.
Each family identified two items for each child in their household
– a “want” and a “need.” The children, ages 1 to 18, have
made requests ranging from a set of Sponge Bob sheets, to a
soft pak for an insulin pump, to a computer for a family with 7
teenage boys. Wrapped gifts will be distributed to the children
by their family's caseworker. If you are interested in helping
with this effort, please contact Maureen Kelly at 847-733-3230.
We are delighted to report that thanks to the generosity of The
Cradle Associates and everyone else involved in this effort,
there will be a gift for every child on the list!
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Friends,
Although we are immersed in the
practice of adoption every day at The
Cradle, National Adoption Awareness
Month gives us pause to reflect upon
the work we do and its meaning in the
lives of our clients, staff, supporters,
and – most importantly – the children
we serve.
This November, we celebrate all of the birthparents, adoptive
parents and Cradle babies who are part of our world. We celebrate
our partner organizations and those working to find safe,
permanent homes for children in foster care. We congratulate
the 225 Cradle families who welcomed a child into their hearts
and their homes in the past year.
Adoption has touched each of us differently and continues to
impact our lives in remarkable ways. As we look ahead to a new
year, we are thankful for the opportunity to continue doing this
work, and for every member of our extended Cradle family.
With best wishes for a healthy, happy holiday season,
Julie S. Tye
ADOPTION CLASSES | Open to the Community
PROMOTING CHILDREN’S LANGUAGE SKILLS
Saturday, January 20, 2007, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., The Cradle
For a variety of reasons, children adopted internationally or domestically
may be at risk for communication delays and disorders. This
class will address expectations for typical language development
and second language learning; strategies for home language
stimulation; red flags for speech impairments; and how to access
appropriate support services.
Presenter Renee Reilly, Ph.D., CCC/SLP is a licensed speechlanguage
pathologist, a professor of communication sciences and
disorders at Northwestern University, and the parent of two
children adopted from Guatemala.
NAVIGATING EARLY INTERVENTION AND
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
Thursday, March 1, 2007, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., The Cradle
This class will provide an overview of the Early Intervention system
for infants and young children up to 3 years of age, and of the
Special Education system for children from 3 years to young adulthood.
Parents will learn about common risk factors; how and when
to search for services; eligibility requirements; types of service
plans; and how these services can help meet their child’s developmental
and learning needs.
Presenter Pat Kluzik-Stauch, MA, is an adoptive parent and Early
Intervention Specialist with 20 years of experience as a teacher and
educator.
Fees: $20 per person per class; $10 for second family member; no
fee for Cradle pre-placement clients. Register online at
www.cradle.org or by calling 847-733-3233.
2 The Cradle Newsletter