R 202028Z NOV 12

ALCOAST 493/12
COMDTNOTE 1754
SUBJ: NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
A. Reimbursement Of Adoption Expenses, COMDTINST 1754.9 (Series)
1. On 1 November 2012, National Adoption Month was kicked off by  a
Presidential proclamation.  Please visit http://wh.gov/0YCK to review
the complete Proclamation.  With more than 104,000 children and youth
in the U.S. foster care system awaiting permanent families, National
Adoption Month is a time to raise awareness about the adoption of
children and youth from foster care.
2. The Childrens Bureau, within the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, funds the initiative each November in partnership
with AdoptUSKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway as a way to
focus public attention on the urgent need for more adoptive families
for children and youth waiting in foster care for a permanent family.
The Childrens Bureau supports National Adoption Month through a
website from Information Gateway.  This years focus is National
Adoption Month - Virtually: Adoption in the Digital Age.  The website
provides resources for child welfare professionals, prospective
adoptive parents, and youth on topics such as getting started with
social media, how to build a social media campaign, and how social
media is impacting child welfare and adoption:
www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/nam.
3. The Coast Guard has a proud tradition of honoring families that
have already strengthened America through adoption.  These families
are providing a safe, loving family to protect and care for countless
children.  The Coast Guard, in accordance with Ref A, offers an
adoption reimbursement program, that provides financial reimbursement
assistance to adoptive families.  Coast Guard active duty members and
reservists on active duty for at least 180 consecutive days are
eligible for reimbursement of up to 2,000 dollars per child and a
maximum of 5,000 dollars in any calendar year.  In addition, Coast
Guard members may be able to take a tax credit for qualifying
expenses paid to adopt an eligible child.  If you would like to learn
more, contact your tax advisor for more information regarding
adoption tax credits.
4. The CG SUPRT program is available to assist Coast Guard personnel
and their families with adoption resources.  CG SUPRT provides
confidential professional counseling, education, and referral
services on issues such as personal financial management, health
coaching, education and career development, relationships, and legal
matters.  Please visit www.CGSUPRT.com or call 1-855-CG SUPRT
(1-855-247-8778) for more information.
5. CGMA is excited to announce their new Adoption Grant program.
Effective 1 January 2013, the CGMA Adoption Grant program will
provide up to 1000 dollars per client for the home study expense
directly related to the legal adoption of a child.  This grant is
available to all CGMA clients.  Specific application information will
be available shortly on their website at www.cgmahq.org.
6. To access information on adoption reimbursement, please visit
http://www.uscg.mil/worklife, click on family support and then
adoption reimbursement.  You can also access information about other
work-life support programs on this website.
7. To locate the Work-Life staff at your Health, Safety and Work-Life
Regional Practice, simply dial 1-800-872-4957 and follow the prompts.
8. For additional information, please contact the Office of Work-Life
Family Support Services Specialist, Ms. Mitchia (Shay) D. Tull-Cook,
at HQS-SMB-FamilySupportServices(AT)USCG.MIL.  Alternatively, you may
contact CDR Jerry Mahlau-Heinert at the Health, Safety and Work-Life
Service Center by calling 757-628-4795.
9. RADM Maura K. Dollymore, Director of Health, Safety and Work-Life,
sends.
10. Internet release authorized.