R 221505Z NOV 11


ALCOAST 543/11

COMDTNOTE 1754

SUBJ: COAST GUARD ADOPTION PROGRAM BENEFITS

A. REIMBURSEMENT OF ADOPTION EXPENSES, COMDTINST 1754.9 (SERIES)

1. THE FIRST MAJOR EFFORT TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR

ADOPTIVE FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE OCCURRED IN

MASSACHUSETTS IN 1976, WHEN GOVERNOR MICHAEL DUKAKIS ANNOUNCED AN

ADOPTION WEEK. THE IDEA GREW IN POPULARITY AND SPREAD NATIONWIDE. IN

1984, PRESIDENT REAGAN PROCLAIMED THE FIRST NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEK,

AND IN 1995, UNDER PRESIDENT CLINTON, THE WEEK WAS EXPANDED TO THE

ENTIRE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.

2. ON 1 NOVEMBER 2011, THE NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH WAS KICKED OFF

WITH A PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION. THIS YEARS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

INITIATIVE TARGETS ADOPTION PROFESSIONALS BY FOCUSING ON WAYS TO

RECRUIT AND RETAIN PARENTS FOR THE 107,000 CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN

FOSTER CARE WAITING FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES.

3. THE COAST GUARD (CG) HAS A PROUD TRADITION OF HONORING FAMIILIES

THAT HAVE ALREADY STRENGTHENED AMERICA THROUGH ADOPTION. THESE

FAMILIES ARE PROVIDING A SAFE, LOVING FAMILY TO PROTECT AND CARE FOR

COUNTLESS CHILDREN. SPECIFICALLY, PER REF A, THE CG OFFERS AN

ADOPTION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM, PROVIDING FINANCIAL REIMBURSEMENT

ASSISTANCE TO ADOPTIVE FAMILIES. CG 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, CG

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. 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.

5. 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.

6. COMDT (CG-1112) POC FOR ALL FAMILY SERVICE SUPPORT PROGRAMS IS MS.

MITCHIA (SHAY) D. TULL-COOK, PHONE: 202-475-5159, OR EMAIL:

MITCHIA.D.TULL-COOK(AT)USCG.MIL.

7. RADM M. K. DOLLYMORE, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORK-LIFE,

SENDS.

8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.