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|Rodeo in town Saturday and Sunday
|Written by Holyoke Enterprise
Phillips County Amateur Rodeo Association will host the Colorado Junior Rodeo Association at the Phillips County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17 in Holyoke, with 9 a.m. start times for rodeos each day.
Attendance at the rodeo is free and open to the public. Concessions will be available on the grounds.
Approximately 900-1,000 people from Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming are expected to roll into Holyoke for the event, according to rodeo organizer Gale Wiebers. Many will be staying in campers at the fairgrounds, while others are staying at local hotels.
CJRA categories are Pee Wee, Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Junior Mixed, Senior Boys, Senior Girls and Senior Mixed. Timed events will include barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, ribbon roping, steer wrestling and more.
Both rodeos will feature junior/senior team roping, an event that allows parents to compete with their children in the arena. Besides payback prizes, other local prizes are being planned for top event winners.
During both days of the rodeos, two events will be going on at the same time to keep things moving along. While one event will be taking place in the arena, another will be happening on the race track.
Events taking place at the arena include barrel racing, flag racing, all roping events and steer wrestling. On the track will be pole bending and goat tying events.
A Jackpot Rodeo event will follow the CJRA Rodeo on Saturday night at 6 p.m.
According to its web site, CJRA was established in 1994 to provide quality events allowing youth, ages 5-18, to advance their rodeo talent in the spirit of fair competition and the appreciation of good sportsmanship. In Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Nebraska, membership is over 1,600, with 900 families involved in working together to achieve family members' goals.
The organization plans to give over $110,000 of cash, prizes and scholarships to approximately 200 members who qualify for the finals to be held in Estes Park Aug. 14-16 of this year.
For more information, contact Gale Wiebers through the Phillips County Extension office at 854-3616 or at home at 854-5067.


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The ASA Department Resource Group (DRG)
DRG consultants are available to assist departments with program review, curriculum development, assessment, department retreats, and teaching workshops. In addition, the DRG offers a mentoring program for sociologists who have a taken on a leadership role within their department, such as department chair, division coordinator, or graduate studies director. DRG consultants receive training at each ASA Annual Meeting and are in regular communication throughout the year about trends, data, and new resources that can help build strong departments. DRG consultants are dedicated to empowering department chairs and faculty during periods of self-reflection, external review, or general department revitalization. To learn more about the DRG, click on one of the services below. Visit the DRG consultants page to learn more about our consultants.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mission Terraforming
This rover enables the team's projected mission of preparing Mars for future colonisation through 'planting' greenhouse modules on the surface of Mars. The modules would be a mix
of greenhouses for food production, and botanical gardens for plant
systematic research and will utilise the ice deposits for harvesting
water. The first mission is to send fully automated modules to mars to
initiate the seeding process, while the second is a follow up of a two
part vehicle and four crew members to carry out harvesting and
expanding the greenhouses as well as conducting evolutionary plant
research in the botanical modules.
Credit: RCA


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Energy Companies Eye Beech Bottom Sites
February 14, 2013
Although the former TS&T pottery plant site in Chester is new to the market, there are already a couple natural gas-related companies interested in the acreage. ''The site remediation is completed....
beech bottom must have some really good town leaders there.they've grown considerably while all of the surrounding towns are dying.maybe charleston can learn something from them.beech bottom school can use some work as far as indoor air quality[really has a strong mold problem].it needs some attention by the board.no other school building in the county smells like this.some individual needs to take air samples[not through the board].the health department inspects this building every year but nothing is done.how many students and staff are out sick because of allergies and breathing problems?how many are on allergy meds for this?our board of education is responsible to fix this.anyhow,beech bottom is leading the way.show 'em how it's done boys/girls.the little train that could.
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It is my sense that the majority, perhaps the vast majority, of cases on which clinical ethics consultants (CECs) are asked to consult and make an ethics recommendation, there is, or would be, a general consensus on the part of the CECs about what counts as the appropriate recommendation. However, the question arises of how clinical ethics as a field should deal with issues that come up about which there is not a clear consensus, such as in cases where a basic right to have an autonomous choice respected by the patient is pitted over and against the obligation of the physician to do no harm—the traditional tension between respect for patient autonomy and beneficence/nonmaleficence. This tension or conflict often occurs in cases of alleged medical futility where the patient or the patient's surrogate requests a treatment option the physician deems will only cause harm and no benefit to the patient. For example, consider a patient's surrogate who insists that she will not consent to a DNR order and in fact expects the physician to perform CPR if the patient arrests. For a patient without capacity dying of metastatic disease, this directive by the surrogate presents a stark dilemma to the physician—is it a violation of the physician's obligation to the patient to "do no harm" (nonmaleficence)? Or is respect for the patient's wishes or her representative's wishes so sacrosanct that the physician's obligation to follow the patient's wishes is paramount and outweighs the obligation to do no harm?
The Alden March Bioethics Institute offers a Master of Science in Bioethics, a Doctorate of Professional Studies in Bioethics, and Graduate Certificates in Clinical Ethics and Clinical Ethics Consultation. For more information on AMBI's online graduate programs, please visit our website.
|0 comments | Topics: Clinical Ethics | Ethics and Morality | Patient Autonomy | Philosophy


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Jeff Gorell (Candidate CA-26) and Tony Strickland (Candidate CA-25) formally endorsed by Ventura County GOP
The Ventura County Republican Party at their monthly Central Committee meeting officially voted and approved their endorsement list (which at this time hasn't been released officially). The two I know for sure about are Tony Strickland (Cand. CA-25) and Jeff Gorell (Cand. CA-26), both of which were endorsed formally by the local GOP as their candidates. Strickland was given unanimous approval over Troy Castagna and California State | Read More »


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New Empanada Factory generates local buzz
Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 12:56 p.m.
It's still dark at 5:30 in the morning; daylight is maybe another hour away.
Empanada Factory
Where: 1516 SW Third Ave., Ocala
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Cuisine: Empanadas
Info: 209-1476
Nevertheless, Roberto Maquilon is in the kitchen already, getting a jump on the day.
It's time to make the empanadas.
And it's likely going to be another long day; Maquilon said he frequently doesn't get home until 8 or 8:30 p.m.
"I want to keep my clients satisfied," he said.
An hour before noon, he'll open his Empanada Factory at 1516 SW Third Ave., across from the Munroe hospital complex. And they'll stay open until 6 p.m.
"The other day, the final sale of the day was at 5:58," he said.
Open to the public just a few weeks, Maquilon said customers have been finding his tiny shop that once housed the Feed Bag Deli a half-dozen years ago.
Since it opened, there have been lines in the store, and a LOT of Facebook chatter about the Empanada Factory, particularly in the Word of Mouth Ocala group.
For instance, Maria Luisa Garcia wrote: "I just tried the empanadas from Empanada Factory, and they are to die for! So delicious. This will be one of my favorite places in town!"
Added Jenny Padden: "We ate lunch there last week and really enjoyed it! They always say in business to stick with what you are good at, and you guys rock at fresh, tasty empanadas!"
The raves go on. Yet there's been no actual promotion beyond Maquilon going door-to-door in the area weeks ago to drop off some coupons.
"I believe in my product, but I wanted to make sure I had it right before I did anything," he said.
He's no newcomer to empanadas.
Maquilon said he's been making them for about three years, though mostly on a contractor-vendor basis for hospitals in Ocala and Gainesville.
"But they started reviewing their contracts and reducing the number of their vendors," he said. "People kept telling me we ought to open our own place, so we finally decided to open."
Moreover, he's Peruvian — and his empanadas are in the Peruvian style, meaning they are baked rather than fried.
"People like the idea that they're baked," added his wife, Carmen Morales.
But what, exactly, is this comestible Maquilon, 44, is so willing to devote 15-hour days, five days a week to make? According to the Essential Kitchen Dictionary, the empanada is "a very elaborate Spanish or Mexican turnover filled with chopped meat, vegetables and sometimes cooked egg, olives and currants. It also can be filled with fruit for a dessert.
"The dish takes its name from 'empanar,' meaning 'to surround with a crust of dough.' "
Maquilon said he "went through a ton of dough" before he came up with the right mixture. Fillings range from chicken to beef to pepperoni to spinach and cheese, and pulled pork. They also offer dessert empanadas filled with apple, blueberry, cherry or peach and dusted with powdered sugar.
According to most culinary sources, every Latin culture has its own variety. And not just in Latin lands: India has its gujias, karjikayi and karanjis; England's Cornwall has pasties; in Japan they're gyoza; stromboli in Italy; they're called scovardi in Transylvania.
We even have a home-grown variety here in the United States. We call 'em Hot Pockets.
They're a favorite for food trucks, as empanadas are easy to eat.
The food even has its own national day on the calendar: April 8. Just how many other foods have a national day? OK, most of them nowadays, but National Empanada Day came up repeatedly in the 7.7 million hits for "empanada" in a Google search.
The point is, they're pretty popular — and tasty. A couple of them make a satisfying meal.
"This is my dream," Maquilon said, looking over a dining area once described as so small it could fit in most homes' living rooms. "It's something I always wanted to happen.
"And now I'll have different dreams."
Contact Rick Allen at email@example.com or 867-4154.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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|Sydney, Australia
|High School:
|Australia Institute of Sport
Quick Hits:
•Played in 24 games in 2012-13.
•Saw action in 35 games in his initial season in 2011-12, including one as a starter.
•Point-guard for the Australian team at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship.
•Selected as the outstanding point guard at the 16-team Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Manheim, Germany in 2010.
2012-13 Highlights:
Played in 24 Butler games...saw a season-high 21 minutes of action in Butler's victory over Marquette at the Maui Invitational...came off the bench with a season-high seven points and three assists against Hanover...had a career-high five assists and tallied five points in 16 minutes against IUPUI...came off the bench with three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 11 minutes against Penn...hit a pair of free throws at Saint Louis...hit a clutch three-point field goal in Butler's win at George Washington...had an assist and a rebound in eight minutes against Saint Louis in the A-10 Tournament.
2011-12 Highlights:
Played 13 minutes in Butler's opening exhibition game against Northern State...came off the bench with 10 points, four rebounds and six assists in 22 minutes in Butler's exhibition win over Franklin...came off the bench with seven points and three assists against Evansville in his first collegiate game...sparked the Bulldogs with 10 points off the bench against Savannah State...had seven points and scored a key free throw late in the game against Gardner-Webb...scored five points and had career-highs of six rebounds and four assists against Oakland City...hit five of six free throw attempts in 15 minutes against #8 Xavier...came off the bench with eight points and a team/career-high four assists at Ball State...had four points and three assists in 24 minutes against Purdue...given first collegiate start at Gonzaga and finished with two points and three rebounds...came off the bench with a career-high 15 points, including 11 in the second half, at Stanford...came off the bench with five points, three rebounds and two assists to help lift the Bulldogs past Milwaukee at Hinkle Fieldhouse...came off the bench with six points at Wright State...came off the bench with 10 points and two steals in Butler's home victory over Youngstown State...hit four clutch free throws in the second half at UIC...had five points in 10 minutes at Green Bay, despite breaking half of his front tooth in a collision with Phoenix guard Keifer Sykes...had four points in 16 minutes against Wright State...sparked the Bulldogs with a career-high 15 points, including a career-best three three-point field goals, at Youngstown State...had two points, two rebounds and an assist in 13 minutes against Valparaiso in the Horizon League Tournament Semifinals.
Background: Boasts an extensive background in national and international competitions...awarded a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport in 2010...member of the Australian team at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship (which included the USA and Khyle Marshall) in Latvia...scored 21 points and helped Australia to a 72-52 victory over Poland at the World Championship...had 11 points in a one-point loss to the USA in the fifth place game at the tournament in Latvia...averaged 8.7 points, shot .417 (10-24) from beyond the three-point arc and hit .818 (18-22) from three free throw line in nine games at the 2011 World Championship...named All-Tournament and chosen the outstanding point-guard at the 16-team Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Manheim, Germany, in 2010, while helping Australia to the gold medal...averaged 12.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in seven games at the Schweitzer Tournament...scored 20 points to help Australia past Israel in the Schweitzer Tournament...had 18 points and seven rebounds against Spain in Germany...represented New South Wales at the 2010 and 2011 Australian U20 Championships...averaged 15.0 points and 4.3 rebounds at the 2010 U20 Championships...competed in the 2009 Australian Youth Olympic Games...represented NSW Metro at the 2008 and 2009 Australian U18 Championships and the 2007 U16 Championships...attended high school at St. Ignatius' College in Adelaide, South Australia...broke the St. Ignatius' College school record with a career-high 55 points in a game against St. Joseph's College...tallied 42 points in a game against Sydney Grammar School.


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Weekend forecasts can often be tough. A lot of people have outdoor plans-- maybe you're one of them-- and you want to know if the weather is going to cooperate. As I'm about to show you, when a cold front is on the way, sometimes it's tricky to predict exactly when the wet weather will arrive!
If you've been following our forecast, then you've known all week that rain was likely on Saturday. Our forecast model data has been consistent on that. But now that the weekend is upon us, we would like to have a more precise idea of when the rain will fall, rather than generalizing with a blanket statement such as "rain and storms are likely on Saturday".
So, how can we get more precise? I like to look at different forecast model sources and compare them to each other. I do this every day for the 7-day forecast, but in trying to fine tune the timing of precipitation, I need to look at the model data more in-depth.
First, the European model. This one seems to be going for a slightly later arrival of the precipitation, and also a longer-lasting rain event in the DMV. At 2pm on Saturday, the model still shows the rain lingering to the west for the most part:
With the bulk of the moisture moving through from dinnertime through the wee hours of the morning. This is the European model's depiction of the rainfall from 8pm Saturday until 2am Sunday:
Notice in the legend that the blue shading indicates ares of precipitation of up to 1" during that 6-hour period. Typically, when you see rainfall amounts that high with a frontal passage in late September, you can expect some thunderstorms along with rain showers. (Other atmospheric indicators are pointing to the possibility of non-severe storms on Saturday, too).
Continuing to follow the European model's progression of the front, we are dry again in the DC Metro by 8am on Sunday, with the only lingering showers in southern Maryland. The Euro's forecast for precip at 2pm Sunday shows this clearing trend:
So, if we just trusted the European model and didn't take any others into account, then we would expect Saturday to be completely dry until at least 2pm, but the rain lingers through the overnight hours into Sunday morning. The GFS model, which is the main American forecast model, paints a slightly different picture. At 2pm on Saturday, the rain is already falling in parts of the DC Metro area, according to the GFS.
The most intense rain, again, with thunderstorms possible, is during the afternoon and early evening on the GFS model.
You can also see how the GFS model's forecast keeps most of the heavier rain (depicted in oranges and yellows) to the north of the Beltway.
Just as the rain moves in earlier on GFS, it also moves out earlier. So by late Saturday night, we are dry again. Here's a look at 2am Sunday morning's 6-hour precip forecast:
Compare this map to Map #2. Notice how much further east the front is on the GFS than on the Euro by 2am Sunday! So, the American and European models are approximately 12 hours apart on their forecast for the front's passage. Even just one day before the front is expected to move through, we still don't know exactly when the rain will arrive!
Model discrepancies are the main reason why our forecasts are not always 100% accurate, and it's also the main reason why forecasts can differ from one source to another (different TV stations, National Weather Service website, etc.) But at least, in this case, we can say with confidence that Sunday will be the better day of the weekend for anything you want to do outside. Enjoy!


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Filing Forms We are still accepting filings in the conventional fashion – paper and e-mail (NC NoPaper via firstname.lastname@example.com); however, they are being converting to serff paper filings and uploading directly into serff. This change means you will no longer see a State Tracking number assigned, but instead, will see a serff tracking number. All communications will now be conducted via e-mail.
Serff also offers filers a Trade Secret filing feature.
Non-Public - Paper or E-Mail submissions – Only trade secret materials properly prepared and submitted will be accepted for review. Please review our filing instruction before making your submissions at: Filing Instructions
Follow the Public Record filing steps. Complete the transmittal reference line and body of your Email to CLEARLY designate that a portion of the filing is TRADE SECRET information. The failure to designate material as "confidential" or "trade secret" when it is initially filed is a patent failure to meet the criteria of NCGS 132-1.2. A properly submitted electronic filing will be separated into two distinctly separate parts. Labeled and attached to a single transmittal Email:
An Email filing that is not in the prescribed filing format shall be rejected and returned to the filer.


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Greensboro, NC -- A woman suffered minor injuries Sunday morning when suspects fired several shots at a Greensboro home, police say.
Officers responded to Alton Street before 1 a.m.
Detectives learned someone fired several shots at the home Sunday morning. There were four people - including two juveniles - home at the time of the shooting, police say.
A 37-year-old woman suffered minor injuries when she was struck by broken glass. No one else was injured in the incident.
Police still do not have any suspect information in the case. If you know anything about this shooting, call Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.
Greensboro Police Department


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No. 13 Cyclones Host Northern Illinois To Close 2013
AMES, Iowa - No. 13 Iowa State looks to maintain an unblemished record as it plays its final nonconference game of the season Tuesday against Northern Illinois at Hilton Coliseum. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. and be shown on Cyclones.tv.
Where: Ames, Iowa - Hilton Coliseum (14,384)
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m. CST
Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/Learfield
Talent: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (Color)
TV: Cyclones.tv powered by Mediacom | Channel Info
Talent: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (Color)
Webcast: Cyclones.tv
Live Stats: Live stats will be available at cyclones.com.
Live Blog: Patrick Tarbox, assistant director of athletics communications, will be holding a live blog during the game at Cyclones.com. Fans are encouraged to participate in the blog by asking questions.
Cyclone Notebook
- After securing the best start in school history, Iowa State (11-0, 0-0) looks to become just the seventh school (11 times) in Big 12 history to enter conference play undefeated. The Cyclones are one of just eight undefeated teams remaining nationally.
- Since 1950, Iowa State has went undefeated in nonconference play just once, in 1956-57 (8-0).
- ISU is 16-4 all-time in games played on New Year's Eve, including 14-2 at home (9-0 at Hilton Coliseum).
- The Cyclones are ranked No. 13 in The Associated Press poll and No. 12 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
- Iowa State ranks among the NCAA's top-10 in four statistical categories: Third in assist/turnover ratio (1.77), fourth in assists (18.5), seventh in scoring (87.2) and ninth in scoring margin (19.2).
- Iowa State has four players averaging more than 13 points per game. The Cyclones have had five players tally 20+ points in a game this season.
Melvin Ejim is leading the Cyclones averaging 18.0 points per game to go along with 8.8 boards. Ejim, who is shooting 50.9 percent from the field, has been in double figures in all nine games since his return, including five games with 20+ points. The senior has posted double-doubles in three-straight games.
- Georges Niang is averaging 21.2 points and shooting 54.5 percent during the last five games.
- Dustin Hogue, who was named national player of the week on Dec. 10, is averaging 16.5 points and 11.7 rebounds the last six games. He is shooting 62 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from behind the arc and 72.1 percent on free throws during that stretch.
- Since 1998, only seven Division I players have averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Senior guard DeAndre Kane is currently averaging 14.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
- Iowa State is the first school in Big 12 history to have five different players earn player of the week honors in a season.
- The Cyclones are fourth nationally in assists per game (18.5) and tied for second in assist/turnover ratio (1.77). ISU is assisting on 61.5 percent of its field goals (203 assts/330 fg).
Iowa State vs. Boise State Recap
- Iowa State rallied from an 11-point first-half deficit to defeat Boise State, 70-66, in the championship game of the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic on Christmas Day. The win gave Iowa State its best start in program history.
- The Cyclones were led by DeAndre Kane's 23-point, five rebound performance. Kane tied a career-high with four 3-pointers. After missing his first two threes of the game, Kane hit his final four tries.
- Kane was one of four Cyclones in double figures in the game. Georges Niang continued his strong play, finishing with 16 points. Melvin Ejim recorded his third double-double in as many games, posting 15 points and 10 boards. Dustin Hogue was also in double digits with 13 points.
- Iowa State won despite having a season-low seven assists. The previous low was 16 (three times).
- The Cyclones hit 20-of-27 free throws. ISU has hit at least 20 free throws in six of the last seven games.
Series Notes vs. Northern Illinois
- Iowa State and Northern Illinois are meeting for the sixth time in series history.
- Iowa State leads the all-time series 3-2. Neither team has won on the other's home floor.
- ISU is 9-3 all-time against the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
- Abdel Nader, a junior transfer from NIU, is sitting out this season after playing his first two with the Huskies. Nader led Northern Illinois in scoring both years at the school, including 13.1 points per game as a sophomore.
- Nader isn't the first notable transfer from Northern Illinois. Darion "Jake" Anderson played for the Cyclones in 2010-11 after playing his first three seasons in DeKalb. Anderson averaged 12.8 points and 7.2 boards as a senior. The Cyclones also played NIU that season, which was Hoiberg's first in Ames, and beat the Huskies 72-63 at Hilton Coliseum.
Follow Iowa State men's basketball on Facebook and Twitter (@CycloneMBB).


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Professor Carroll Tingle, Department Head
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies offers majors in early childhood education (ECHS) and in human development and family studies (HDFS). Concentrations are provided in each major. In the ECHS major one concentration, early childhood development, is currently offered. In the HDFS major, four concentrations are offered: family studies; adolescent and youth development; general human development and family studies; and child life.
In addition to selecting a major and concentration, a student may also select a minor in order to enhance his or her program of study and career opportunities. Other University of Alabama academic divisions offer many appropriate minors. Requirements for these minors are found in the sections of this catalog pertaining to those divisions. The student should select a concentration and/or minor in consultation with a departmental advisor in order to ensure that program requirements are fulfilled. The student should also consult the advisor before choosing elective courses.
All students majoring in human development and family studies must take the following courses as part of the University core requirements:
|BSC 109 Introductory Biology for Non-Majors II or
BSC 114:115 Principles of Biology (N)
|PY 101 Introduction to Psychology (SB)
|HD 101 Human Development (SB)
In addition, please note that every student in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies is required to select an existing concentration or propose his or her own personalized concentration. In the event that a student wishes to propose a personalized concentration of courses, he or she must make application following a prescribed process. Students interested in this option should contact the chairperson of the department.


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Perhaps one of the most sacred and important accessories for women is the handbag. For generations, women have been carrying purses, pocketbooks and handbags. And for generations, those women have always wanted to carry stylish bags that match their style and personality. At Kmart, we carry hundreds of handbags and handbag accessories that are both practical and stylish. Choose from different sizes, colors, materials and brands. Whether you're looking for a nicer bag that will last you a long time, or a bag that you only wear occasionally with a particular outfit, shop at Kmart for all your handbag and handbag accessories.
When you choose a handbag, you have to make sure you have all the appropriate accessories to go with it. Finding a wallet or change purse to keep your money in is key when you buy a new bag. Some people like to have a neutral-colored wallet that will match just about anything, and some like to match their wallet to their bag. At Kmart, we have tons of wallets in all different shapes and sizes. Our selection makes it easy for you to choose the perfect wallet. Whether you're looking for a cool character wallet for your daughter, or a fun wallet to match your new summer handbag, Kmart has the selection you need to choose a great wallet.
At Kmart, we also have tons of other accessories that you can match your handbag with. Choose from fashion scarves, hats, jewelry and sunglasses that will enhance your style and look. It's not always necessary to have all your accessories match exactly all the time, but there's nothing more fun than stocking up on tons of accessories and then mixing and matching them to create a look to match your mood or personality. We have tons of fashion jewelry, sterling silver jewelry, hats, clutches and more. Simply spritz on a little women's perfume or fragrance to top off your perfectly unique style.
Fellas, are you looking for a gift for the lady in your life, you don't have to go straight to the intimates section. You can find things to make her feel feminine and sultry without going the obvious route. A silk scarf is beautiful and sophisticated, giving her a boost of confidence. Stylish hats can make her feel like Audrey Hepburn, while large sunglasses complete the look. And the best part is, you don't have to find the one perfect piece, because every woman will love having tons of options for each.
So when you're looking for accessories to go out on the town with, whether you're looking for a watch to match your handbag or a cell phone holder to accessorize with your clutch, shop at Kmart for all your girly and womanly needs. We have tons of handbags, as well as handbag accessories in all different shapes, colors and sizes that will fit your style.


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Testimony :: Ms. Debra Murphy-Scheumann
President of the Board of Directors - Joint Council on International Children's Services
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Commission, thank you for providing me with an opportunity to share our experience and concern about the current situation in Romania.
I am pleased to be here today and hopeful that the Commission can take action and encourage reform in Romania's child welfare system so that it is indeed, operating in the best interest of the children.
I am the mother or guardian of 10 children; have been a foster parent for more than 60 children; the founder and President of Special Additions, Inc.; the President of JCICS and the President of a Romanian Association that operates a children's home in Romania. I have served on the JCICS Board of Directors since 2002 and this is my second year as President.
Today, I will touch on who JCICS is and what we believe; Romania's legislation and Children's Rights; violations of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; the influence of the European Union; Romania today and lastly, our recommendations.
JCICS Overview
Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) is one of the oldest and largest associations of licensed, non-profit international adoption agencies, child advocacy groups, parent support groups and medical clinics in the world.
Our mission is to advocate on behalf of children in need of permanency
and promote ethical practices in intercountry adoption.
Through our involvement in international child welfare since 1976, JCICS has developed an appreciation of the complexity related to the processes and approaches that serve to protect children while expeditiously meeting their need of finding permanency, safety and love. Collectively our members, over 200 organizations, serve approximately 75% of all international adoptions in the United States. JCICS believes that all children – regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, medical limitations or other conditions – deserve a permanent, safe and loving home. When children cannot be safely cared for in their birth families, or in permanent adoptive homes within their country of birth, we believe that ethical intercountry adoption provides the most positive option for children.
Romanian Legislation
Joint Council shares the commitment of the Romanian government to strive for best practices in child adoption and welfare law and we support Romania's effort to promote national adoption in an effort to care for its children. We also recognize the intense political pressure within Romania and their desire for European Union accession.
As you are aware, on January 1, 2005 Romania implemented new legislation eliminating international adoption as an option for children in need of permanent families, except for cases of adoption by biological grandparents.
While the new legislation seeks to promote national adoption, which is an important piece of child welfare and one that JCICS supports, only 3,513 children were adopted by Romanians over a 2 year span from October 2001 to October 2003. In the spring of 2004, there were an estimated 37,000 children still institutionalized, as reported by Gabriela Coman, head of the Child Protection and Adoption Authority. However, this figure does not include infants born in maternity centers or abandoned at hospitals who are counted under the Ministry of Health, or foster care.
JCICS's foremost concern is for the development and care of the tens of thousands of children who remain in institutions or inadequately funded foster case situations.
Many adoption cases were legally registered with the Romanian Government prior to implementation of the new law and are now considered "pending or pipeline cases". There are approximately 211 such cases in the United States. In March 2005 President Basescu agreed to process the pipeline cases by April 2005 ensuring permanency for these children. To date this has not occurred.
Children's Rights
One of the most basic human rights is the right to have a family. This is something that most of us take for granted. Sadly, many children in Romania have become political pawns in government politics and are being denied the right to permanency.
According to the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, the best interest of the child is a
permanent family
The Hague Convention reads:
"The States signatory to the present Convention,
Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,
Recalling that each State should take, as a matter of priority, appropriate measures to enable the child to remain in the care of his or her family of origin,
Recognizing that intercountry adoption may offer the advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a suitable family cannot be found in his or her State of origin."
The Convention on the Rights of the Child echoes The Hague Convention's tenet that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.
Article 21 of CRC:
"States Parties that recognize and/or permit the system of adoption shall ensure that the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration and they shall:
(b) Recognize that inter-country adoption may be considered as an alternative means of child's care, if the child cannot be placed in a foster or an adoptive family or cannot in any suitable manner be cared for in the child's country of origin;
(c) Ensure that the child concerned by inter-country adoption enjoys safeguards and standards equivalent to those existing in the case of national adoption;"
In a later press release, issued on January 26, 2004, UNICEF clarified their position on intercountry adoption vs. institutional care and stated that:
"For children who cannot be raised by their own families, an appropriate alternative family environment should be sought in preference to institutional care, which should be used only as a last resort and as a temporary measure. Inter-country adoption is one of a range of care options which may be open to children, and for individual children who cannot be placed in a
permanent family
setting in their countries of origin, it may indeed be the best solution."
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which has been adopted by the EU also states:
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
We would like to stress that foster care is not a permanent solution. The 150 year history of foster care in the United States demonstrates the faults and shortcomings of a foster care system. The Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care in 2004 revealed the poor outcomes for emancipated youth in the United States after they leave foster care. Focus groups with 100 youth in Nevada found that 41 percent did not have enough money to cover basic living expenses, 24 percent had supported themselves at some time by dealing drugs, 50 percent left foster care without a high school degree, and 41 percent had been in jail.
The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 establishes unequivocally that our national goals for children in the child welfare system are safety, permanency, and well-being. It addresses the inadequacy of foster care to provide a permanent family for children in need, and it directs that permanency planning efforts must begin as soon as a child enters foster care and must be expedited by the provision of services to families. JCICS urges all countries to use foster care only as a short-term solution for children awaiting a permanent family.
The United States recognizes the urgent need of permanency for children. While the US is a receiving country, we are also a sending nation with families in Canada, UK, and Australia among others, adopting US children through the foster care system or private adoption.
JCICS is concerned for children who do not find permanency. Their options are severely limited as they age out of institutional settings. They leave without adequate education and training and their options are severely restricted. They are prone to be victims of abuse and violence and/or perpetuate violent acts against individuals or society. Many of them will runaway to live on the streets or in the sewers and become involved in crime, drugs and prostitution.
Violation of Conventions
It is our concern that the newly implemented legislation does not provide maximum protection of a child's rights nor contains proactive measures to achieve permanent placement within a family structure as echoed in the Hague and CRC conventions.
Romania is party to both conventions. Romania signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child on October 28, 1990. Romania ratified The Hague Convention on December 28, 1994 and it entered into force on May 1, 1995.
Article 3 (1) of the Convention of the Rights of the Child states that: "In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration." The Hague Convention states a similar priority for the best interest of children.
JCICS, along with other child welfare advocates, are concerned that the current legislation in Romania, essentially eliminating the possibility of intercountry adoption, is in breach of these convention principles.
Influence of the European Union
Child protection has been one of Romania's priorities for their governing program in connection with EU integration. Sadly, the undocumented claims made by the EP's former rapporteur to Romania appear to have influenced foreign media coverage and current legislation resulting in reform that contradicts the basic tenets of the Hague Convention by compromising a child's right to a permanent family through intercountry adoption.
The cessation of international adoptions was largely a result of EU pressure to improve their [Romania] "human rights record". In 2001, the former EU Rapporteur to Romania issued a report which threatened Romania's opportunity to advance into the European Union. It repeated claims that children were being sold for their organs and prostitution in amounts up to $50,000. These accusations have continued throughout the years with a recent article addressing the plight of internationally adopted children occurring in July 2004, by former Rapporteur Emma Nicholson: "Supporters of this trade claim it provides loving couples with a child whose life would otherwise be miserable. While this can be true in some cases, the reality for many Romanian children is far less positive. Children exported abroad - often against their will - are often subjected to pedophilia, child prostitution or domestic servitude. Since 1989 this trade has grown endemically and propped up the corruption which has seeped into many aspects of Romanian public life."
Despite repeated requests to the EU and Romania for proof of these accusations, they failed to provide documentation supporting these allegations.
Romania needs to institute reforms to combat corruption. This should include stringent penalties and enforcement of laws – not limiting laws to such a degree as to prevent intercountry adoption as an option for children. While Romania is striving for economic and social stability we recommend short and long term planning with benchmarks for goals at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. We are concerned that implementing programs quickly without the proper infrastructure have created significant problems and is not in the best interest of the children.
Romania has made tremendous strides since the fall of communism and has taken some positive steps towards child welfare reform. JCICS supports many of the efforts and encourages the country to continue to protect the rights of children. However, we are troubled by the current situation in Romania and the neglect of its most helpless citizens.
UNICEF Study
UNICEF conducted a three month transversal study on the abandonment of children in Romania in 2003 to 2004. This study confirmed the desperate circumstances of abandoned children of Romania. It states: "The coordinates of child abandonment in 2003 and 2004 were the same as those 10, 20 or 30 years ago. Despite continued efforts on behalf of the government and non-governmental groups, the number of children coming into care continues." Of the children abandoned in Romania, the majority of the children are Roma at 56.7%, with Romanian being second at 41%, Hungarian at 1.7% and finally Turkish-Tartar at 0.6%. The study showed that the research indicated [in the reference years of the study] that approximately 4,000 newborns were abandoned each year in maternity wards and another 5,000 abandoned annually to pediatric wards and hospitals. The study also indicated an existing racial discrimination among society and professional child welfare and medical workers to the Roma population.
Tens of Thousands of Orphans Remain
Domestic adoptions have not increased to keep up with the needs of abandoned children in Romania. Limiting a child's right to a family through only domestic adoption or intercountry adoption by second-degree relatives, denies the right to a permanent family for thousands of children. We believe that this short-sighted approach has a negative impact on the future of these children and creates for them long-term sentences of hopelessness and despair.
Inaccurate Statistical Reporting System
Many children in the welfare system in Romania are currently visited by parents or family members. While JCICS supports the protection of parental rights and exploration of reunification in these cases, there are many other children for whom this is not the case.
Historically, Romania has counted children as "adoptable" only when their parental rights are terminated. However, to achieve this designation, children must receive documented relinquishment from their parents or an abandonment hearing in the courts. The latter often does not occur due to the significant lack of funding from the government. As a result children may never have contact with their parents but are unable to be adopted or statistically recorded as "adoptable".
Inadequate Foster Care System
We are concerned about reports of thousands of children hastily placed into an inadequate foster care system in Romania. Foster parents have not been trained; social workers lack the resources to make the required visits; and financial gains are a motivation for many foster care parents
Lack of Family Reunification Plans
A lack of family reunification plans and processes are evident as birthmothers attempting to relinquish their babies are forced to take their child home without additional support or assistance or when abandoned infants are dropped off and left with distant relatives with no follow-up supervision.
Basic Freedoms
Individuals involved in child welfare reform in Romania, as well as media reporters, are reluctant to come forward to address their concerns on the current situation due to negative reprisals from the Romanian government. Until the citizens of Romania can feel secure to address the reality of the current situation in Romania, making positive end-roads in child welfare reform will be extremely challenging.
JCICS recognizes the complexity of adoption reform and the difficulties that exist in developing a system that both conforms to international standards and balances the needs of children waiting for families. However, the situation has become so politically complex that children continue to suffer until a law that accounts for the rights and best interests of the children is supported by the EU and approved by the Romanian government.
It is our hope that the European Union will embrace the international community and join together to ensure that a child's health and happiness is what ultimately governs our actions. Methods for eradicating corruption in adoption need to be implemented and full functioning child welfare infrastructures need to be established in all countries. Reintegration of the child with their family should always be the primary goal. If that is not a possibility, then national adoption along with intercountry adoption should be considered as options. The foremost objective is permanency for the child.
While we understand that the Helsinki Commission cannot insert itself into Romania's internal challenges, JCICS requests that the following action items are considered:
Ø Ensure that Romania's adoption legislation adheres to the tenets and principles outlined in the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation In Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Ø Emphasize through diplomatic communication with the European Union and other EU and EP delegates that international adoption is the best option for children who cannot be permanently placed within their country of birth.
Ø With regards to the pending "pipeline cases" we recommend:
o Creation and passing of an exception to the law to allow processing of the pipeline cases under Romania's emergency ordinance.
o Expeditiously processing the pipeline cases using clear criteria.
JCICS believes we all have a responsibility to let these children's voices be heard. It is our duty to insure that these children are given a life of safety, permanency, and well-being.
Thank you very much for allowing me to appear before your Committee today. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
JCICS letters
a) April 25, 2005 to President Basescu (including recommendations for processing pipeline cases
b) July 7, 2004 to The Guardian Editor in Chief Emily Bell
c) February 23, 2004 to US Ambassador Michael Guest
d) February 2, 2004 to Prime Minister Nastase
Statistics and Information on Romania
United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights
April 25, 2005
The Honorable President Traian Basescu
President of Romania
1 Victoriei Square
District 1
Bucuresti, Romania
Dear President Basescu:
It is with gratitude that we thank you for taking the time to meet with the families and organizations at Ambassador Ducaru's residence in Washington DC on March 10, 2005 in regard to the pipeline cases.
We are writing you today to address three points:
JCICS White Paper
Processing of pending cases
Current situation in Romania
As you are aware, Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) is one of the oldest and largest membership associations of licensed, non-profit international adoption agencies, child advocacy groups, parent support groups and medical clinics in the world. JCICS does not place children for adoption or provide adoption services, but rather advocates on behalf of children in need of permanent families and promotes ethical practices in intercountry adoption.
JCICS White Paper.
JCICS shares the commitment of the Romanian government to strive for best practices in child adoption and welfare law and supports Romania's effort to promote national adoption in an effort to care for its children. We would like to commend the National Authority for the Protection of Children's Rights (NAPDC) for their request for input from NGOs regarding Romania's child welfare legislation. Joint Council has prepared a "White Paper" defining our position on permanency for children around the world (see enclosure). We will be sending a copy of it to NAPDC as well.
Processing of pending cases.
JCICS presented to the US State Department recommended criteria for processing the pipeline cases. The ultimate goal for all involved is to have the system be as transparent as possible. Enclosed are our recommendations.
Current situation in
It has been brought to our attention that some children currently considered part of the "pipeline" cases awaiting adoption by matched U.S. families have been adopted nationally. JCICS applauds the efforts to keep children with birth families and extended families. However, many of these abandoned children have been residing in institutions or foster care for at least three to twelve years. This naturally raises questions and concerns as to why these children's families are just now coming forward to adopt them. We sincerely hope that these placements have been done at the request of the extended family and that they were not the result of external pressures or financial incentives. We know you share our strong belief that it is in the best interest of any child to be adopted by a family solely on the basis of a dedicated commitment to that child's well being. We would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the need for transparency and ethical practices in child placement – both domestically and internationally – and that a child's best interest should be of foremost priority.
Joint Council is confident that under your leadership the care of these children, and all children in Romania, will proceed in an ethical and transparent manner. We understand the political pressure that Romania is facing with regards to the pending EU Accession, but believe that a child's right to a permanent family should prevail over political pressure.
Thank you again for your time and consideration of our requests.
Meghan Hendy Deb Murphy-Scheumann Debbie Price
Executive Director President Romania Caucus Chair
Specific Recommendations for Processing of Pipeline Cases
The establishment of a transparent procedure to process pipeline cases is essential to the protection of children's rights in Romania. It is critical that a system be created that will protect the rights of the child, prevent corruption, be clear in terms of legislation, and be able to be accomplished within a defined timeframe.
There are several areas of concern to be addressed in completing the "pipeline" cases:
Ø Creation of a definition of "pipeline cases" to determine those children who are eligible for completed adoptions;
Ø Establishment of a transparent procedure to finalize the "pipeline cases";
Ø Creation and passing of an "exception" to the law to be implemented by January 1, 2005 that will provide for the processing of "pipeline cases" that were initiated under Romania's emergency ordinance;
Ø Determination of the department within the Romanian government responsible for processing the cases;
Ø Identification of those pipeline cases and assessment of the prospective adoptive parents desire to proceed with their adoption.
We highlight and offer suggestions on two of the above areas of concern: Definitions and Procedures
To insure that all cases that were in process prior to the suspension of the emergency ordinance are finalized, a definition and criteria need
to be established that will be consistent for all children.
It is recommended that the definition include at least one of the following components:
Cases that were:
Ø assigned a file number by the Romanian Adoption Committee for processing
Ø have a letter approving the family for adoption from the Central Authority or foreign embassy of the adoptive parents domicile prior to March 20, 2004;
Ø Approved by the local direction as an identified family.
We suggest that all pipeline cases be processed within six months of the passing of the new procedure.
The Romanian Adoption Committee should publish monthly reports to detail how many adoptions have been completed in all regions. These reports should be made public via the internet or though written request to Romanian Embassy posts.
To keep the process as transparent as possible, files should be processed based on established criteria that must be applied to all cases. Criteria can be established as follows:
Date that the file was registered at the RAC;
Documented medical or mental special needs of the child;
Age of the Child;
Date that the file was registered with the foreign embassy;
Date that the Direction approved the child;
Each criterion could be assigned a weighted measure that would be useful in identifying which cases should be given priority.
For example:
File registered at the RAC in June 03 Measure (1-5) Score: 3
Child has detailed special needs Measure (1-5) Score: 5
Child is 2 years of Age Measure (1-5) Score: 4
File has not be registered with Embassy Measure (1-5) Score: 1
Direction approved child in January 04 Measure (1-5) Score: 3
Total Score: 16 out of 25 or 64%
Categories for purpose of processing
Category 1 Scores 75 – 100% (processed first)
Category 2 Scores 50 – 74%
Category 3 Scores 25 – 49%
Category 4 Scores 0 – 24%
Thank you for this opportunity to provide suggestions for the processing of pending cases in Romania. We look forward to a swift resolution to this issue and for these children to be united with permanent families.
July 7, 2004
Ms. Emily Bell
Editor in Chief
The Guardian Unlimited
3-7 Ray Street London EC1R 3DR United Kingdom
Dear Ms. Bell:
In her article,
Red Light on Human Traffic,
July 1, Baroness Emma Nicholson makes a number of serious undocumented accusations regarding intercountry adoption while equating intercountry adoption to human exportation and trafficking violations. As the Executive Director of Joint Council on International Children's Services, a national non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to advocating on behalf of children in need of permanent families and promoting ethical standards in intercountry adoption, I challenge the Baroness' conclusions and object to her continued campaign against international adoption.
The recent court case referenced by Nicholson,
Pini and Bertani & Manera and Atripaldi v. Romania
heard by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), is a singular court case and is not, as Nicholson proclaims, a "landmark judgment on inter-country adoption, which has major ramifications … in 45 countries across Europe". In this particular case, the court found that the two girls in question, "preferred to remain in the socio-family environment in which they had been raised at the CEPSB", a private institution approved by the Brasov Child Protection Department. The court also found that "the sole cause of the failure to execute the adoption orders had been the actions of the CEPSB staff and its founder members," including a kidnapping attempt. While the CEPSB may be well managed, it is still an institution and should not be considered a long-term solution for the children in its care.
The Baroness also writes "the supply of Romanian children for international adoption is drying up". Unfortunately, the facts show the Baroness' claim is incorrect. According to the Romanian National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption there are 84,382 children in the Romanian system who are in need homes. Over 26,000 children are living in institutions and are estimated to be three years of age or older. It is well documented that children who do not find permanent families, especially those institutionalized over the age of two, are at greater risk for attachment disorders, speech delays and other developmental challenges.
Joint Council believes that the child's best interest is of the utmost importance and should never be compromised. When children cannot be cared for by their birth families or in permanent adoptive homes within their country of birth, we believe that intercountry adoption provides the most positive option for children. Both UNICEF (the United Nations Children Fund), in their January 2004 statement on intercountry adoption and the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of International Adoption support this assertion.
Unfortunately, Baroness Nicholson routinely equates international adoption with serious crimes of human exploitation without providing solid evidence to support her claims. These sensationalist tactics ignore the fact that many thousands of children are successfully adopted into loving families each year. Even more importantly, in lieu of international adoption, the Baroness provides no healthy solutions to the on-going plight of the world's orphaned children. She believes that institutionalizing children in their own country is preferable to finding a permanent, committed family wherever they might be. We cannot be more strongly opposed to her position.
Joint Council firmly believes that cases of child trafficking should be quickly condemned and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Many countries, which recognize the tremendous contributions that international adoption have made on the lives of thousands of abandoned, neglected children, have found ways to keep adoptions open while creating stringent systems of oversight that minimize corruption. From experience, they have come to understand that trying to prevent corruption by banning all intercountry adoptions simply does not work. In fact, banning international adoption does nothing to give pause to unscrupulous individuals. What it does do is deny children who are in desperate need from finding permanent families.
As citizens of a larger international community, we have an obligation to work together to ensure that a child's health and happiness ultimately governs our actions. Eradicating corruption in adoption should be an international priority. Fully functioning child welfare infrastructures must be established in all countries, and national adoption should always be promoted as preferable to intercountry adoption. At the same time, our ultimate goal should be to find loving, permanent homes for our world's needy children, wherever they may be found.
Antonia Forkin Edwardson
Executive Director
Joint Council on International Children's Services
Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) is the oldest and largest membership association of licensed, non-profit international adoption agencies, child advocacy groups, parent support groups and medical clinics in the world. Joint Council believes that all children deserve permanent, loving homes. When children cannot be cared for in their birth families, or in permanent adoptive homes within their country of birth, we believe that intercountry adoption provides the most positive option for children. For more information visit
February 23, 2004
The Honorable Michael Guest, the Ambassador of the United States
The American Embassy
Filipescu 26
Bucharest, Romania
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) is one of the oldest and largest membership associations of licensed, non-profit international adoption agencies, child advocacy groups, parent support groups and medical clinics in the world. JCICS does not place children for adoption or provide adoption services, but rather provides continued education for adoption practitioners and works to promote higher ethical standards in adoption.
Joint Council believes that all children deserve permanent, loving homes. When children cannot be cared for in their birth families, or in permanent adoptive homes within their country of birth, we believe that intercountry adoption provides the most positive option for children.
I am writing to you on behalf of our member agencies to thank you for your continued commitment to international adoption and attention to the recent events in Romania that have resulted in the cancellation of the Emergency Ordinance.
JCICS is pleased that the U.S. Department of State is working diligently to ensure that the 36 cases with court decrees be finalized. However, we strongly believe that all cases filed while the Emergency Ordinance was law and have a registration number from the National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption (NACPA) should also be processed.
After a dossier is completed with the 171-H verification letter from the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, it is filed with the National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption and is assigned a registration number. At this point, the case is officially accepted by the Romanian Government. Joint Council believes that the registration number presents a very easy point of reference from which the U.S. Embassy in Romania can advocate for the cases that had been filed prior to the cancellation of the Emergency Ordinance.
We need to emphasize the urgency of this situation as many children and families have already waited over one year to be united through adoption. If these families are made to wait until a new adoption law is implemented, they could be faced with waiting for an additional year or worse, losing their referral. Your assistance in making sure that the processing of cases with a NACPA registration number becomes a priority with the Embassy will be greatly appreciated.
Again, thank you for your continued commitment to this issue.
Antonia F. Edwardson
Executive Director
February 2, 2004
The Honorable Adrian Nastase
Prime Minister of Romania
Piata Victoriei, Sector 1
Bucharest, Romania
Dear Prime Minister Nastase:
Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) is one of the oldest and largest membership associations of licensed, non-profit international adoption agencies, child advocacy groups, parent support groups and medical clinics in the world. JCICS does not place children for adoption or provide adoption services, but rather provides continued education for adoption practitioners and works to promote higher ethical standards in adoption.
Joint Council believes that all children deserve permanent, loving homes. When children cannot be cared for in their birth families, or in permanent adoptive homes within their country of birth, we believe that intercountry adoption provides the most positive option for children.
In May 2003, JCICS submitted comments to your office regarding the draft law which strives to revise Romania's adoption procedures. We have recently learned that the Romanian government is about to implement the new law. As such, we would like to take this opportunity to comment on aspects of the draft law that we believe could compromise a child's right to achieve placement within a permanent family structure.
As noted in the preamble to the Hague Convention, States which are signatory to the Convention recognize that the child "should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding" and that "intercountry adoption may offer the advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a suitable family cannot be found in his or her State of origin". We believe that several provisions contained within the draft law contradict the basic tenets of the Hague Convention, thus resulting in an inability to fulfill Article 56, which provides for the issuance of a certificate stating that the "adoption is in accordance with the standards stipulated under the Hague Convention."
First, while acknowledging a child's right to a family, Article 2 of the proposed law includes language which suggests that a substitute family would be preferential to a foreign adoptive family. Additionally, Article 39 (2) states that international adoption may be allowed only if "the care of the child cannot be appropriately ensured within the special child protection services, be they public or private". The combination of this and similar language is concerning. If children are allowed to be cared for by a "substitute" family or other public or private services before international adoption can be considered, the reality is that the child will not have the greatest opportunity for permanency. This type of wording provides for the practice of institutional care to be made a priority over a permanent family through international adoption; a situation that is in direct conflict with the tenets of the Hague Convention and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Second, Article 46 (1) prohibits international adoption as an option for children who are under the age of two. It is difficult to understand what the purpose of this prohibition would be other than to assure that efforts have been made to preserve the original family and/or pursue a placement with a Romanian family. The draft law does stipulate that such measures are taken within a defined period of time. Therefore, if no permanent family is found to care for the child in Romania, then there is no benefit to force children to wait until the age of two to be adopted internationally. It has been well documented that children who do not find permanent families are at greater risk for attachment disorders, speech delays, and other developmental challenges. By postponing the option of international adoption for two years, the opportunity for a child to overcome these risks is decreased dramatically.
JCICS shares the commitment of the government of Romania to strive for best practices in child adoption and welfare laws. We recognize the intense political pressure from both within Romania and foreign entities concerned with corruption issues. However, it is important that the new law be one that provides maximum protection of a child's rights and contains proactive measures to achieve permanent placement within a family structure as echoed in both the Hague Convention and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Until the provisions outlining substitute families, care by public or private services and the age restriction are changed to allow for international adoption as a valuable and timely option, we believe that the draft law fails to provide for the best interests of children.
While Joint Council looks forward to implementation of a new law and the end of the moratorium on Romanian international adoptions, we hope that time will be allotted for review and revisions before finalization.
Respectfully Submitted,
Antonia Forkin Edwardson
Executive Director
Joint Council on International Children's Services
Statistics and Information on
In 15 years, over 8,000 orphaned Romanian children have found permanent, loving families in the United States.
Adoptions peaked in 1991 with over 2,500 children adopted due to media publicity about the thousands of children living in inadequately staffed and funded orphanages after the fall of communism in Romania.
The mean average over the 15 years noted is 548 adoptions annually.
In the spring of 2004, it was estimated that 37,000 Romanian children were still institutionalized, as reported by Gabriela Coman.
December 1989
– Romania's President Nicolae Ceausescu is overthrown ending communist rule. An estimated 600-700 institutions in Romania provide residence for an estimated 100,000 children.
– Adoptions by U.S. citizens peak due to media publicity about the thousands of children living in inadequately staffed and funded orphanages.
December 2000
– Prime Minister Nastase takes office; a de facto suspension of international adoptions occurs.
June 21, 2001
– The Romanian Adoption Committee (RAC) announces a one-year moratorium on inter-country adoption due to concerns about corruption.
October 8, 2001
– The Romanian Government issues an ordinance (OUG No. 121) stating that child protection is one of the priorities of the governing program for 2001-2004, in connection with Romania's integration with the European Union.
December 6, 2001
– The Romanian Government issues an Emergency Ordinance (amending OUG No. 121) which allows applications for international adoption to be processed if the case falls under extraordinary circumstances (i.e. special needs or older children) and the adoption is in the child's best interest.
December 14, 2002
– The new legislative package is submitted for public debate.
Early 2003
– The legislative package is sent to the European Commission to receive the point of view from the European body. The experts of the European Commission submit their observations. The legislative package on child protection consists of Draft law on protection and promotion of the rights of the child; Draft law on adoption; Draft law on the structure, operation and funding of the National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of the Child; and a Draft law on the structure, operation and funding of the Romanian Office for Adoptions.
May 5, 2003
– JCICS participates in the public debate on a version of the Legislative Package on Child Protection and submits comments. JCICS' concerns include the prohibition of adoption of children under the age of two, a prolonged parental consent period, prolonged travel requirements, etc.
December 2003
– Romania faces considerable pressure following reports of 105 children being approved for adoption during the moratorium by Italian families. This spurns negative press against international adoption and some individual's state that Romania's 2007 entry into the EU may be in jeopardy.
February 5, 2004
– The Emergency Ordinance is repealed. All international adoptions are suspended until the new adoption law takes effect. During the moratorium, 1,115 international adoptions were processed under the exceptional procedure.
March 10, 2004
– The European Parliament approves a pre-accession report on Romania presented by Baroness Nicholson. In the resolution, Parliament states "Romania will have to deal with the high level of corruption, ensure the independence and proper functioning of the judiciary, guarantee freedom of the media and stop ill-treatment at police stations… [MEPs] reminded Romania that Parliament has to decide whether to approve Romania's accession."
March 11, 2004
– The new adoption law is approved by the Romanian Cabinet and is sent to the Parliament. As reported by Gabriela Coman, the new adoption law would cease all intercountry adoptions with the only exception being when the child has relatives up to the second-degree in the adoptive family abroad. JCICS understands that second-degree relatives are defined as grandparents or siblings.
June 21, 2004
- Romanian President Iliescu signed into law the new adoption legislation.
September 24, 2004
– JCICS met with officials from the Embassy of Romania, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs within the Department of State to discuss Romania adoptions.
October 19, 2004
- Romania agrees to establish international adoptions committee. The international commission will be established for the purpose of reviewing pending cases that were registered with the Romanian Government prior to adoption of the new law.
December 2004
– President Traian Basescu takes office.
January 1, 2005
– The new adoption law is implemented in Romania limiting international adoptions to only biological grandparents. However, U.S. adoption law prohibits relative adoptions in cases of grandparents.
January 2005
- The U.S. Government has identified approximately 211 "pipeline cases" in which Romanian children had been matched with U.S. parents prior to the adoption of the new law. The U.S. families have indicated they still want to continue with the process.
– It is not known exactly how many children remain in institutions, foster care placements or are living on the streets. In the spring of 2004, there was an estimated 37,000 Romanian children still living in institutions. To date the pipeline cases have not been processed.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of
10 December 1948
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Nevada KIDS COUNT. "Transition From Care: The Status and Outcomes of Youth Who Have Aged Out of the Child welfare system in Clark County, Nevada."
Issue Brief II.
Las Vegas: University of Nevada, 2001.
Nicholson, Emma.
Red Light on Human Traffic
. Guardian Unlimited: July 1, 2004.
Johnson, A. K., Edwards, R. L., & Puwak, H. C. (1993). Foster care and adoption policy in Romania: Suggestions for international intervention. Child Welfare, 72(5), 489-506.
The May 2003 version differs significantly from the March 2004 version. In addition, two other versions were released (October 2003 and January 2004) which were less restrictive than the March 2004 version.
Under the Emergency Ordinance 384 children were adopted by families in the United States, 230 in Italy, 224 in Spain, 73 in France, 49 in Israel and 44 in Germany among others.
Nicholson, Baroness Emma. "A warning shot for Romania", Report on Romania's Progress Towards Accession. (COM(2003) 676 – C5-0534/2003– 2003/2203(INI)), Doc.:


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Bella Siren Tumbler, 12 fl oz
Be enchanted by the Siren's song, painted in metallic ink on this 12-fl oz acrylic tumbler. Whimsical words are layered over the coffee tumbler's beautiful sea-green inner liner and topped off with a rose-gold stainless steel band. The ocean blue lid features a new design that slides open and locks closed with ease. Featuring double-wall construction, the tumbler will help keep hot beverages hot or cold beverages cold longer. Hand wash only. Do not microwave.
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text:
Community Input Sought for the Woodside Library Improvement Project
Excitement builds as the San Mateo County Library (SMCL) again seeks community input for the Woodside Library Interior Renovation Project. Starting September 13, the Woodside community is invited to provide valuable feedback to improve the Woodside Library by contributing their thoughts and suggestions on this project through a Community Input Survey.
In the 40-year period since the Woodside Library building was constructed, a number of changes have taken place in the delivery of library service. San Mateo County Library has taken a system-wide approach to addressing these evolving needs and has worked to incorporate new strategies and approaches to improving library service. The Library's Service Model places an emphasis on the community's experience by creating intuitive spaces that meet the needs of a variety of age groups and preferences, and strives to present materials and services in ways that welcome participation.
Group 4 Architecture Research + Planning of South San Francisco were chosen earlier this year to lead the interior renovation of the Woodside Library. Key stakeholders from the Town, Library, Friends of the Library, and community are currently working with Group 4 to evaluate existing conditions, identify opportunities, and develop conceptual documents that identify design solutions. Recently, Group 4 held a second Stakeholder Design Workshop on September 9, to present the Conceptual Design Plan.
The Community is encouraged to review the conceptual plan and give their feedback using the Community Input Survey. The last day to submit feedback is Tuesday, September 21.
The Conceptual Design Plan will be presented to the Woodside Town Council on Tuesday, September 28, and to the SMCL Joint Powers Authority Governing Board for approval later this year.
Author Bio:
Alan Couch is the Branch Manager of Woodside and Portola Valley Libraries. Before moving to California in 2008, Alan, who is a native of the Gulf Coast, lived in Philadelphia, PA for several years where he was the Director of Chester Springs Library. His interests and meager talents run the gamut from racquetball, rugby, watching college football, to playing the drums, reading dry history books, and going to the cinema. In high school, he had the rare distinction of being the only member of both the football team and chess club.
Conceptual Design Plan
The Conceptual Design Plan presentation by Group 4 Architecture and Research is very poor, not very professional, is seems to show an unfortunate lack of care for the project. It is very difficult to get a understanding of the quality of the design or the nature of the spaces; material, light, space? There are much more professional presentation methods then the poor drawings presented. I would hope in future the library system would engage some more ambitious design talent.
A Mede
Maybe "lost in internet translation"?
Hi A Mede,
I think maybe something is lost without the presentation: and perhaps the drawings, and floor plan by themselves don't do G-4's work justice. We did have a couple of focus groups and the Town of Woodside that benefited from the full presentation and neither seemed to have a problem with it.
If you have a chance, check out some of their prior projects: http://www.g4arch.com/projects
They were given great references by the folks they worked with in the past, and have been able to impress us all so far with how they've been open to ideas and concerns brought up by staff and folks who gave us their input, as well as the layout they were able to create considering the limitations the existing building presents.
-Alan Couch, Woodside Branch Manager
please don't spend the money- unless......
the teen zone has walls and computors. preently librains spend time separating and quieting kids playing computor games. a walled room would save staft time and keep the place quiet.
more parking is needed, and room for atleast 5 spAace s is wasted in the present arrangement. the parking restictions put into place by woodside, and the use of the school parking lot(across street) by bus serveice to weddings aand parties on saturdays(although no fault or control of the library) decrease the parking. where will magizine back copies be kept(concumer reports)?
more books-sheleves are great- more desks and chairs are not. Redwood city library hasd a good reference section, which can not be replaced by "online" without sbscriptions to several sites to get info that was avalible on the shelves( some could even be checked out-even tech books that are ouit of print.)Now there are just chairs- what a waste of library space!
Teen zone
Hi Ed,
The Teen Zone is open on one side: I think there were a few folks at the charrette who talked about walling it up, but the majority liked it open. As far as computers, we'll have laptops that can be checked out and used in the Library; so kids could use them in the Teen Zone, but it won't have dedicated computers. A big reason for that is the space limitation: the teens will be getting about 150 sq feet of dedicated space, and to make a dedicated computer station that's ADA compliant would take a healthy chunk of that. We really wanted to keep things flexible, so with those laptops the space can be used for computers or anything else we need.
The magazines will be in that lounge area in the back, they'll have their own space kind of like they do at Portola Valley Library if you've had a chance to check it out.
Adding parking would be awesome, trust me, half the time there is something going on in Woodside even I can't get a parking space close to the Library: but the parking lot was redone within the last ten years. At the time the layout for it was done I think it was decided to not go for absolute maximum spaces, but to leave some areas for native plants too. If I tried to get it redone this soon someone would probably come after me. Also the scope of the project was really limited to the interior of the building, so we've been trying to keep to that limitation.
Some good news: the collection size isn't being reduced, it will be the same. That's pretty good because the collection at any time is between 28,000 to 32,000 volumes or 3.5 to 4 volumes per capita; the California average for libraries is 1.97 items per capita.
Thanks, if anybody has any more questions or comments, I'll try to get on here and reply sooner - Alan Couch Woodside Branch Manager