ASCS

What's New

>>>  EI Benefits for Adoptive Parents, recommended changes

>>>  EI Benefits for Adoptive Parents, government announcement

>>>  EI Benefits for Adoptive Parents, news report: EI announcement

>>>  EI Benefits for Adoptive Parents, news report: "Good news for foster parents"

The Federal Government is only weeks away from reviewing a number of recommendations that will be given to them in a report from the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development, and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) who were designated to investigate Federal Support Measures to Adoptive Parents. Our ASCS Executive Director, Cindy Xavier presented as an expert witness to this committee in December 2010.

One of the recommendations to the Federal Government is an Employment Insurance Benefit for Adoptive Parents of 15 paid weeks in addition to the parental benefits that adoptive parents already can obtain.

We have developed a letter that you can print off and send to your MLA or MP (click for PDF). Here are lists of the MLAs and MPs in Saskatchewan and some news media regarding the HUMA committee recommendations:

• HUMA recommendations
• Saskatchewan MLAs
• Saskatchewan MPs

One in five people are connected by adoption. That means that this is important to many adoptive families and their children. Even if supporting this advocacy effort would not benefit you directly, I encourage you to advocate for the adoption community as a whole by sending your letter!

About ASCS

The Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan (ASCS) is the primary adoption information and resource centre in Saskatchewan. We offer support and referral services to:

• Birth parents who are looking into planning options for their child
• Prospective parents who are considering domestic, private, special needs or international adoption
• Adoptive parents who need information and mentor support
• Adoptees who are searching for birth parents or working through issues related to their adoption
• Extended family or community who need adoption information and services
• Professionals who work in the field of child welfare, foster care and adoption
• Students who are doing research related to adoption
• Schools, community organizations and other institutions who are interested in education related to adoption issues such as birth parent rights, open adoption, adoption related benefits for adoptive parents, parenting of adopted children and much more!

About This Web Site

These following pages are selected with the menu buttons at the upper left of each page (or the Alt keyboard shortcuts noted):

• Home Page (Alt0) You are here!
• News & Events (Alt1) describes scheduled ASCS events and programs offered by ASCS.
• Services (Alt2) describes the activities and support services of the ASCS.
• Resources (Alt3) lists all of the printed, audio and video items in the ASCS library.
• Links (Alt4) provides useful external links related to adoption.
• Membership (Alt5) describes the benefits of ASCS membership and provides the instructions and forms to sign up as a member or as a board member.
• Support (Alt6) describes how to donate to the ASCS as well as listing ASCS sponsors and partners.
• Store (Alt7) provides recommended lists of books, CDs and DVDs, as well as search tools to find more.
• Contact Us (Alt8) provides ASCS phone numbers, email addresses, location, hours and visitor information.
• SFCA (Alt9) links to our sister organization Saskatchewan Families with Children from China.