Families On The Move, Inc.

Families On The Move, Inc.

Mission Statement

Families On The Move, Inc.'s mission is to be a “voice” for families state-wide through advocacy, support services, and reform to garner family empowerment and stability.

PRESS RELEASE!

Veda D. Thompkins Selected as an Adoption Excellence Award Recipient

Detroit—Veda D. Thompkins Families On The Move, Inc. President and Founder will receive a 2008 Adoption Excellence Award in the category Individual Contributions. Ms. Thompkins has been recognized for the extraordinary contributions she has made in providing adoption and other permanency outcomes for children in foster care.

Ms. Thompkins has spearheaded the Michigan legislation that allows adoption Subsidy to follow the child (ren) if they are moved to another foster/adoptive home. In addition, she regularly advocates with politicians at all levels of state and federal government on matters of families and child welfare.

Ms. Thompkins has provided training to staff and families at Children’s Center, Spaulding for Children and at State, National and International Foster Parent Conferences. Ms. Thompkins has co-authored a “Bill of Rights” for Michigan Foster Caregivers in which the goal is to have it adopted by the Michigan Legislature for National Foster Care in May 2009.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) established the Adoption Excellence Awards program in 1997 to recognize outstanding accomplishments in achieving permanency for America’s children waiting in foster care. These awards honor States, child welfare agencies, organizations, courts, businesses, individuals and families.

This year, the Adoption Excellence Awards will be presented to 20 recipients at a ceremony held on October 21, 2008 in Washington D.C.

This is Ms. Thompkins second National Award for her work in Adoption and foster care. In 1999, she received an Adoption Advocate Award from North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC).

On October 29, 2008, Families On The Move, Inc. a support organization will receive its second Adopt US Kids grant in Orlando, Fla. to develop a respite program with Wayne County Department of Human Services.

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Historical Overview

Families on the Move, Inc. (FOTM) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), family-centered organization that evolved from a foster parent support group. Six foster parents, who were members of that support group and disenchanted with their agency’s insensitive actions regarding the children entrusted to them by the foster care system, created “Foster/Adoptive Family on the Move with Love” in 1989. In 1996, seven years and many broken and mended hearts, hurts, scars and victories later, “Families On The Move” transformed from the vision of those six families who answered the call for action. In 2006, Families On The Move, Inc. received its non-profit, tax-exempt status.

Advocacy

FOTM provides memberships to foster, adoptive and biological parents, and works in collaboration with the educational, legal and political systems to establish policy, procedures, and practices that support effectual services to families statewide. FOTM serves more than 400 families annually in various capacities such as:

Education

FOTM holds monthly support group meetings to provide a venue for families to seek answers to issues relating to “their children.”  FOTM also provides educational retreats to allow families an opportunity to network, receive training hours, and engage in parenting classes for biological families.

Speaker's Bureau

The State of Michigan’s Department of Human Services (DHS) as well as many other local, state, and regional entities has supported FOTM by providing speakers to discuss legislative and procedural changes that impact the lives of our “Families.”  Past speakers have been the Director of DHS, Superintendent of the Michigan Children’s Institute (MCI), the Children’s Ombudsman, Wayne County Director, Family Probate Judges and newspaper reporters.

Youth On The Move 

FOTM’s youth centered program provides our membership support for youth activities and graduation assistance (pictures, prom, and senior trips) through generous donations and sponsorships

Activities

Collaborative Efforts

FOTM is represented on national, regional, state, and local levels by the organization’s President, Veda D. Thompkins.

Regional

Funding

FOTM has received grants from the Dave Thomas Foundation and AdoptUSKids. Families On The Move also receives membership and private donations; as well as support from volunteers, board members, foster care, adoption and state agencies.

National

©2007 Families on the Move, Inc.