R 131846Z NOV 09

ALCOAST 650/09
COMDTNOTE 1754
SUBJ: NATIONAL ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH
A. REIMBURSEMENT OF ADOPTION EXPENSES, COMDTINST 1754.9 (SERIES)
1. THE FIRST MAJOR EFFORT TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR
ADOPTIVE FAMILIES OCCURRED IN MASSACHUSETTS. IN 1976, GOVERNOR MIKE
DUKAKIS PROCLAIMED ADOPTION WEEK AND THE IDEA GREW IN POPULARITY
AND SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE NATION. PRESIDENT GERALD FORD MADE THE
FIRST NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEK PROCLAMATION, AND IN 1990, THE WEEK
WAS EXPANDED TO A MONTH.
2. THIS YEAR, NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH WAS KICKED OFF WITH A
PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION ON OCTOBER 30, 2009. DURING THE MONTH OF
NOVEMBER, THIS OBSERVANCE CALLS ON EVERYONE TO REACH OUT TO SUPPORT
AND HONOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN EFFORTS TO
FIND PERMANENT HOMES FOR WAITING CHILDREN, AND CELEBRATE THOSE
FAMILIES BROUGHT TOGETHER BY ADOPTION.
3. OF THE APPROXIMATELY 783,000 CHILDREN CURRENTLY SERVED IN THE
FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES, AN ESTIMATED 130,0000
ARE WAITING FOR PERMANENT FAMILIES. DURING NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH,
WE HONOR THOSE COAST GUARD FAMILIES THAT HAVE ALREADY STRENGTHENED
AMERICA THROUGH ADOPTION. THESE FAMILIES ARE PROVIDING A SAFE,
LOVING FAMILY TO PROTECT AND CARE FOR 326 CHILDREN.
4. PER REF A, THE COAST GUARD OFFERS AN ADOPTION REIMBURSEMENT
PROGRAM, PROVIDING 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, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO
TAKE A TAX CREDIT FOR QUALIFYING EXPENSES PAID TO ADOPT AN ELIGIBLE
CHILD. CONTACT YOUR TAX ADVISOR FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING
ADOPTION TAX CREDITS.
5. TO ACCESS INFORMATION ON ADOPTION REIMBURSEMENT, GO TO:
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/WORKLIFE. HERE YOU SHOULD CLICK ON "FAMILY
SUPPORT" AND THEN "ADOPTION REIMBURSEMENT." YOU CAN ALSO ACCESS
INFORMATION ON OTHER WORK-LIFE SUPPORT PROGRAMS ON THIS WEBSITE.
6. TO LOCATE THE WORK-LIFE STAFF AT YOUR REGIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY
AND WORK-LIFE FIELD OFFICE (HSWL FO), SIMPLY DIAL 1-800-872-4957,
AND FOLLOW THE PROMPTS.
7. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE PERIODIC INFORMATION ON WORK-LIFE
PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR THE WORK-LIFE
LISTSERVE BY REGISTERING AT THE FOLLOWING SITE:
HTTP://CGLS.USCG.MIL/MAILMAN/LISTINFO/HEALTHSAFETYWORKLIFE
(NOTE: THIS WEBLINK MUST BE ENTERED INTO THE BROWSER IN LOWER CASE
LETTERS). LISTSERVE MESSAGES CAN BE RECEIVED AT HOME AND WORK
COMPUTERS.
8. COMDT (CG-1112) POC IS MS. YVETTE D. WRIGHT, PHONE:
202-475-5159,OR EMAIL: YVETTE.D.WRIGHT(AT)USCG.MIL.
9. RADM MARK J. TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORK-LIFE,
SENDS.
10. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.