Acknowledgements

CHAMPS would like to thank the following individuals and organizations who serve as national and state partners to CHAMPS and provided assistance in the development and review of the second edition of the CHAMPS policy playbook: Jennifer Rodriguez, Youth Law Center and co-chair of CHAMPS; Jeremey Kohomban, the Children’s Village and co-chair of CHAMPS; Mary Boo, North American Council on Adoptable Children; Zach Laris, Micah Earley, and Ami Gadhia, American Academy of Pediatrics; Celeste Bodner, FosterClub; Irene Clements, National Foster Parent Association; Jason Weber, Christian Alliance for Orphans; Stefanie Sprow and MaryLee Allen, Children’s Defense Fund; Brad Hansen, Families Together in New York State; and Kari Siddiqui, Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy.

We also thank colleagues who shared their special policy and legal expertise: Ana Beltran, Generations United; Jennifer Miller and Tiffany Allen, ChildFocus Partners; Nina Mbengue, National Conference of State Legislatures; David Simmons, National Indian Child Welfare Association.

CHAMPS thanks our philanthropic partners whose funding made it possible to develop the policy playbook: Annie E. Casey Foundation, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption; Aviv Foundation; Redlich Horwitz Foundation; Lumos Foundation USA; Sherwood Foundation; The Duke Endowment; and Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.  

This policy playbook was written by Steve Christian, consultant to CHAMPS, who conducted extensive policy research and analysis. Tiffany Allen, ChildFocus Partners, prepared a research bibliography for CHAMPS and summary of supporting research.  Lynn Tiede, consultant to CHAMPS, assisted closely in the development of both the policy playbook and research summary.

We thank the many state, local, tribal and private agency staff who generously shared their time and knowledge and allowed us to highlight their policies and practices that support quality foster parenting.

We thank the many foster parents who step up for kids every day. We are grateful to those foster parents who lend their time and share their perspectives with CHAMPS.  Amazing foster parents are quoted within both the PDF and online versions of the policy playbook.

The PDF version of policy playbook was beautifully designed by Ute Kraidy of Ute Kraidy Design. Photos used in the publication are for illustrative purposes only.

The interactive, online publication of the policy playbook was created by Trilogy Interactive, LLC. We are grateful for their fresh artistic design, flawless web development, and earnest support of our mission.

CHAMPS project management is led by Hope Cooper, True North Group, with support from Marci McCoy-Roth, True North Group.