February is Heart Awareness Month! Read more as we honor a hero, Ivy Joy. MAA is humbled to offer the ˜For Ivy’ $1,000 grant to families adopting any child with complex CHD. And while we are featuring Ivy’s story in February in honor of Heart Awareness month, we are happy to offer this grant year-round, as we stand by all children with CHD like Ivy, and strive to get them all home as soon as possible. To meet some of the children we are advocating for with complex CHD, please visit our  website . If you are not in a position to adopt, but would still like to help bring these children home, please consider  donating to the For Ivy grant  so that we can offer this grant for years to come!

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, a story of family, tradition, acceptance, and love….. Every week, my family meets up for coffee on Tuesdays. We call it "Tuesday family day!" It is usually me, my uncle, two aunts, my mom, and sometimes some of my cousins when they are available. It started years ago as we would all go to my grandparents’ house to help them with different needs they had around their house as they got older and couldn't do as much, and has evolved over the years, after their passing, into meeting at the local Starbucks and enjoying good visiting time! We have now been going to the Starbucks for probably almost 10 years, and even have many friends who are baristas there and a few people who also end up being Tuesday customers too. All that to say, all of the people surrounding this 'event' have also been very invested in bringing Katie home and have been overjoyed to see her at our Tuesday family day! What an extra special Tuesday family Day it was now that Katie is home!! Oh, and we also take a selfie of the event every week! In the spirit of love, we encourage and challenge you this month to start your own tradition!

Families needed for Colombia hosting in 2020 ! A hosting program is a strategy used to identify possible permanent families for older children who have been cleared for inter-country adoption and are patiently waiting for their adoptive placement. These children will be able to experience family life and be exposed to a more stimulating environment than in the institutions where they currently live. Families must live in IL, PA, or NJ, and complete a home study. Host families will be encouraged to attend weekly events where all of the children and families spend time together. Lifelong memories and friendships will be formed! There will be a fall session through FANA July 20 - August 11, and a fall session through La Casa November 19-December. Please mail Adriana Chaves for more information.

For adoptive parents who are married... The best gift you can give your children is a strong marriage. You are better parents when you are a connected and loving team! However, the stresses of life and parenting, especially parenting children who have experienced trauma, can wear and tear on a marriage. Taking the time to be intentional and invest in your marriage is crucial! Read the article Dr. Karyn Purvis shared to help you have a happy marriage!

Please Join Us in Welcoming Michelle to the Team! Michelle Coady Carter joined Madison Adoption Associates in February of 2020, as an International Adoption Specialist in the Colombia program . Michelle received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Missouri School of Law.  Michelle has worked with adoptive families within the legal field in both domestic and international adoption and in the child welfare system. She is a certified family mediator and has served as a guardian ad litem and child representative for minor children.  Michelle and her husband Shawn both have a heart for children. They both volunteer in their community for many children focused organizations. They have also added to their own family through adoption. Michelle and Shawn are the proud parents of three children, Wyatt (age 24), Xander (age 13) and Esme (age 12).

Click to read more about the US State Department issuing a China Travel Advisory due to the Coronavirus MAA is closely monitoring this situation, how it will affect upcoming travel, the health of the children and our friends in China. As of now, CCCWA is highly recommending that all adoption trips be postponed where possible. We are working individually with our families on what this means for their specific case. If you have any questions about your case, please contact your case worker .

See who came home in January!