MADISON ADOPTION ASSOCIATES’ PROGRAMS AND STAFF WILL BE JOINING THE GLADNEY FAMILY

GCA now has largest footprint of diversified adoption and wrap-around services in country



Fort Worth, Texas—The Gladney Center for Adoption, one of the leading adoption agencies in the country, today announced its assumption of the programs and staff of Madison Adoption Associates, a major adoption agency that services families and children all over the world.  

“We are thrilled to join forces with our friends at Madison Adoption Associates,” said Gladney CEO Mark Melson. “This assumption will give Gladney the largest footprint of diversified adoption and wrap-around services in the country. And it will allow us to greatly expand our international operations while increasing our services to the Northeast and Midwest United States. Gladney is growing, and we can’t wait to see where this assumption takes us in the coming years.”

Specifically, Melson pointed to three key benefits from the announcement. First, the integration of Madison’s staff and programs means Gladney will benefit from the combined expertise and additional staff that will come from the assumption of Madison’s staff. Second, Gladney will be able to offer more options to families seeking adoption with new countries to consider including Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Bulgaria, Ecuador, and Dominican Republic. Finally, this move will give Gladney extended licensing in more states and allow Gladney to offer home study services and support in additional locations.

“Bringing Madison’s committed staff into Gladney signifies a strengthened foundation built on compassion, integrity, and a shared vision for creating bright futures through adoption,” Melson added. “Gladney is about bringing families together. And we are excited to bring Madison into our family. These are great days for Gladney. And we are just getting started.”

For more on the Gladney Center for Adoption, go to https://www.adoptionsbygladney.com

Say Yes!

Open Hearts for Orphans is committed to improving the lives of children around the world. As part of their mission, they are delighted to offer grants to qualified families who are seeking financial assistance to support their adoption journey. They understand that adoption can be a costly endeavor, and firmly believe that financial constraints should not be an obstacle for loving families who wish to provide a safe and nurturing home for children in need. 

Since there are families that have put so much money in to keeping their paperwork current during this heart-breaking wait, Open Hearts for Orphans is allowing families having hardships to produce their last installments or travel fees, to apply for their “Say Yes” grant! This of course would be for families who have not already applied for it. Formerly, they did not allow grants for travel fees, but are making an exception for waiting China families at this time!

Their grants are currently $4000.00 on a rolling basis. For families adopting multiples, they offer up to $10,000.00 per family. They also have a downright lovable grant for families adopting children with Down Syndrome!

Open Hearts for Orphans strives to wrap around families by providing quarterly (virtual) trauma training sessions as well.

Check out their website to find more information about their organization, mission, and the grant application process or email Mary Sammons.

Training with an MAA Expert!

The staff at Madison Adoption Associates is excited to join you on your international adoption journey. We feel that the best gift we can give you is training. We are never too old to learn and the dynamics of adoption are unique. It is our hope to provide opportunities for you as a parent to grow as you take on the role of parenting your child. We are here to support you! The trainings below are available to all home study and placement adoptive families. And best of all, these trainings are FREE for Madison clients that have already paid for MAA’s Hague Training (CAF).

Birth Family Search: Colombia Process Supported by ICBF (Colombia specific)

How Your Attachment Style Affects Your Parenting (Open to all)

The Impact of Sexual Abuse in Childhood (Open to all)

Latin American Culture Awareness (offered to our families adopting from any of our Latin America Programs – Colombia, Ecuador, and Dominican Republic) 

My Child’s Journey to Adoption 

Once we are Home: What to Expect

If there is an issue with registering, please contact Misty Lucas. (Registration for each training closes 24 hours prior to the training.) Once you have registered, a Zoom link will be sent to you to participate in the training. Participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Although new to Madison Adoption Associates, Hong Kong is a stable and well-established Hague adoption program. In partnership with the Gladney Center for Adoption, MAA works with two partners - International Social Service (ISS) and Po Leung Kuk (PLK). Children with moderate to severe special needs, older children, sibling groups, or children with difficult family backgrounds are in need of adoption. The children generally receive excellent medical care and loving environments, but need a forever family to give them the individual love and attention they deserve!

This is a great program to transition to if your family has been sitting in a program that is not necessarily progressing like you would have hoped. If that is you or your family, please email Catherine Robbins for more information today.

2024 will be the Year of the Dragon! One of Gladney's favorite traditions has been sharing a holiday meal with families in

NYC ‘s Chinatown. If you are a Madison or Gladney family in that area, come on out and share some dim sum to celebrate!

Ready, Set, Regulate.

How do people learn to regulate their bodies, behaviors, and emotions? How can parents help children learn to self-regulate? The answer is through co-regulation! Regulation develops first through external regulation – all of our needs are met by an outside person. Over time, we then move into a period of time (newsflash: it’s a long period of time!) of co-regulation. Think about those moments when someone else was able to support you in getting back to a balanced state. Then, over time, we internalize that regulation and we develop self-regulation. Click the links below for more articles on this topic!

What's Regulation Got to Do With It {EP 6} - Robyn Gobbel

How to Help Your Child to Regulate (nurturing-change.org)

It may be freezing for most of us today, but Summer Hosting will be here before you know it! While you warm up by the fireside tonight, let yourself start dreaming of the child you will host this summer. Those warm summer nights are only a few months away.

AJ & Andrea traveled home from Colombia with their 7 month old son, Adrian, in January!