Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
Encyclopedia
The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, or CCAI, is an American non-partisan
, non-profit organization "dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes through adoption; and to eliminating the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family." CCAI seeks to educate and inform Members of Congress in adoption, foster care, and child welfare issues that affect their constituents. This is done through congressional briefings, leadership training programs, educational trips, and other notable programs. The Institute's work is entirely funded by donations and gifts from organizations and individuals like the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
, Darryl McDaniels
, Laura Bush
, Jane Seymour
, Bruce Willis
, and Rosie O'Donnell
.
Jerry Sandusky
was given an Angels in Adoption Award in 2002 for his work with the Second Mile Foundation. It was rescinded in 2011 in response to child sexual abuse charges against Sandusky
.
, a day to bring attention to children awaiting permanent homes and adoptive families.
Nonpartisan (American organizations)
A nonpartisan organization, in American politics, is a non-profit organization organized under United States Internal Revenue Code that qualifies for tax-exempt status because it refrains from engaging in certain prohibited political activities...
, non-profit organization "dedicated to raising awareness about the tens of thousands of orphans and foster children in the United States and the millions of orphans around the world in need of permanent, safe, and loving homes through adoption; and to eliminating the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family." CCAI seeks to educate and inform Members of Congress in adoption, foster care, and child welfare issues that affect their constituents. This is done through congressional briefings, leadership training programs, educational trips, and other notable programs. The Institute's work is entirely funded by donations and gifts from organizations and individuals like the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding adoptive homes for children waiting in North America’s foster care system...
and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
Angels in Adoption
CCAI is known for its annual Angels in Adoption award, which allows Members of Congress to nominate a constituent for their work in the adoption, foster care, and child welfare community. Each year, there are several National Angels, individuals or groups that work on a national or global level, are honored. Past recipients include Alonzo MourningAlonzo Mourning
Alonzo Harding Mourning, Jr. is a former American professional basketball player, who played most of his 15-year NBA career for the Miami Heat....
, Darryl McDaniels
Darryl McDaniels
-Video game appearances:*The Warriors - Scopes*Guitar Hero: Aerosmith - Himself- External links :* * * * * http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/12/entertainment/la-et-people-speak12-2009dec12...
, Laura Bush
Laura Bush
Laura Lane Welch Bush is the wife of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. She was the First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2001, to January 20, 2009. She has held a love of books and reading since childhood and her life and education have reflected that interest...
, Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour was Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII. She succeeded Anne Boleyn as queen consort following the latter's execution for trumped up charges of high treason, incest and adultery in May 1536. She died of postnatal complications less than two weeks after the birth of...
, Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles...
, and Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie O'Donnell
Roseann "Rosie" O'Donnell is an American stand-up comedian, actress, author and television personality. She has also been a magazine editor and continues to be a celebrity blogger, LGBT rights activist, television producer and collaborative partner in the LGBT family vacation company R Family...
.
Jerry Sandusky
Jerry Sandusky
Gerald Arthur "Jerry" Sandusky is a retired American football coach. Sandusky served as an assistant coach for his entire career, mostly at Pennsylvania State University under Joe Paterno, and was one of the most notable major college football coaches never to have held a head coaching position. ...
was given an Angels in Adoption Award in 2002 for his work with the Second Mile Foundation. It was rescinded in 2011 in response to child sexual abuse charges against Sandusky
Penn State sex abuse scandal
The Penn State sex abuse scandal refers to allegations that former Pennsylvania State University football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulted or had inappropriate contact with at least eight underage boys on or near university property...
.
Foster Youth Internship
The Foster Youth Internship program places undergraduate and graduate college students who have been in the foster care system in congressional offices for a summer. The purpose of the program is "to bring attention to the policy and procedural barriers that trap children in the foster care system." The experience is documented at the end of each year's program as a briefing to Members of Congress and the press, highlighting urgent and continuing issues in foster child welfare.National Adoption Day
CCAI is also a partner of National Adoption DayNational Adoption Day
On National Adoption Day, a number of courts and communities in the United States come together to finalize thousands of adoptions of children from foster care. More than 300 events are held each year on the 3rd Saturday in November, in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to...
, a day to bring attention to children awaiting permanent homes and adoptive families.