A Message from the Board President

Kristi-Plain-Board-President

The Spaulding for Children Board of Directors and I would like to send Season’s Greetings and share our wishes for the happiest of holidays to you and yours. We’d also like to express our thanks and gratitude to all who have helped the agency and the children and families we serve.

In our work last year, we received a five-year cooperative agreement that includes $4 million per year from the Children’s Bureau of the Administration for Children & Families in the United States Department of Health and Human Services to establish the National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support. This new national effort is being conducted in collaboration with partners that include the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), Harmony Family Center, the National Adoption Association and Raise the Future. Child Trends will be the evaluator and partner for this grant.

This investment of funds and expertise heralds a new era of ensuring that U.S. states, Tribal Nations and territories will have the capacity to provide comprehensive support and services for families who achieve permanency through adoption, guardianship and kinship. Some more highlights from the past year:

  • Obtained regular license renewal of the Foster Care and Adoption programs in Child and Family Services.
  • Our 3rd Annual Resource Fair at the Corner Ballpark with staff and board members volunteering.
  • Completed the 2nd Annual Spaulding Scramble with more golfers than the previous year, and with gorgeous weather.
  • Selected the next round of fellows to participate in the year-long fellowship program through the MPLD program and a HUGE  congrats to our own Stacey Oakes on her selection into the program!
  • Received a donation from a Trust for just over $168,000.
  • KINDER-CARES was notified of an increase of award for FY 23-24 to add an additional $399,102 to the project.

I want to express thanks to the entire team at Spaulding for Children and our champions and supporters throughout Michigan and across the country. I am proud to report we will continue our work to serve children, families and those who need our help.