Wheeler Shines Spotlight On National Adoption Month

By Ciara Hooks, The Bristol Press

November 23, 2021

With November being National Adoption Month, Wheeler Foster Care Services is bringing attention to the urgent need for both foster and adoptive families as individuals and families continue to emerge from the long-term challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.

“National Adoption Month shines a light on the children and youth in Connecticut who need loving homes,” said Sharon Pendleton-Ponzani, Wheeler Foster Care Services director. “Foster care or adoption are viable ways to respond to this need. Even though both are very different approaches, with different goals for the child in care, these forms of care can help children find stability, recover from trauma and find new ways to grow and thrive.”

Through a 10-week virtual course called TIPS-MAPP (Trauma-Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting), Wheeler helps prepare prospective foster parents and families for the role of fostering a child or youth. The organization routinely aims to recruit, train and support foster families and prepare individuals and families for the adoptive process.

A new TIPS-MAPP class will be offered in January 2022. Dates to be announced.

To learn more about Wheeler’s foster care programs, call 860-793-7277 or email fostercareprograms@wheelerclinic.org.