Texas Adoption Resource Exchange Bulk Rate U.S. Postage Department of Paid Protective and Regulatory Services Austin, TX P.O. Box 149030 E–557 Permit Austin, TX 78714-9030

Poster inside! Please remove carefully and display in a prominent place to encourage others to Foster! Adopt! Dear foster and adoptive parents and staff,

You have countless uplifting stories of the experiences with a child who has left you with a unique and irreplaceable gift. To this day, there are specific memories that will always bring a smile to your face and hold a cherished place in your heart. It is an achievement that has made a difference in both the youth’s life and your own.

The beauty in what our foster families, adoptive families and child welfare staff do lives in those unknowing gifts that youth and adults give to each other. While our youth embark on the not-so- easy journey of self-discovery and acceptance, your guidance and presence in their lives provides them with the tools to succeed in their endeavors.

The 2001 Tribute calendar highlights those subtle moments, which together change lives. The images and words in this year’s calendar capture the essence of why we strive to make a difference. Our future is better because of your willingness to invest in young lives.

Thank you,

James R. Hine Executive Director Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services

Texas State Foster Council on Adoptable Parents Inc. Children of Texas Inc. COAC of Texas, P.O. Box 14932, Austin, TX 78761 http://www.tsfpi.org ouncil on Adoptable Children (COAC) Inc. unified voice for the Texas foster care is a non-profit organization of citizens system: advocating, educating, and Cconcerned about the children who wait A enlightening for 27 years. for permanent homes. Members of COAC include adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents, Texas State Foster Parents Inc. offers these and those who wish to advocate for children benefits: waiting for adoption. • a voice on foster care issues and decisions, • information through a quarterly newsletter, Services and support before and after adoption include: • updates on legislation, • information about the adoption process, • training, • parent and children's support groups, • fall annual statewide conference, • instruction on parenting techniques, • assistance through scholarship and burial • workshops, funds, • information about subsidies, post-adoption • a foster parent handbook, and services, and other resources, • a vote in selecting organization officers. • recruitment of adoptive families, Ask your caseworker about local and regional • a library of books and tapes, and foster parent associations. • local and statewide newsletters.

Not all communities have COAC chapters. Please ask your caseworker for more information. 1 New Year’s day 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 Martin Luther 16 17 18 19 Confederate 20 Inauguration Day King Jr. Birthday Heroes Day

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 If we only knew what each other felt, maybe we could give much more help. Whitney – 11 Art by Dena Poem by Danielle

African- 1 2 Ground Hog Day 3 American Heritage

Month 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 Lincoln’s Birthday 13 14 Valentine’s Day 15 16 17

18 19 President’s Day 20 21 22 Washington’s 23 24 (observed) Birthday

25 26 27 28 From day one you embraced me with open arms and an open heart. Merlinda – 18 Art by Laura Poem by Jenny

1 2 Texas 3 Independence Day

You open my eyes to things I simply don’t see. Brad – 16

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 St. Patrick’s Day

18 19 20 1st Day of Spring 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Art by Amanda Poem by Alicia

1 Fool’s Day 2 3 4 5 6 7 Daylight Savings National Time Begins Child Abuse Prevention Month 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 San Jacinto Day

22 23 24 25 Secretary’s Day 26 27 28

29 30

When I'm feeling down you always pick me up again. Mandy Art by Tricia Poem by Tiffany

National 1 2 3 4 5 Foster Care Month 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 Mother’s Day 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31 It's the uniqueness of every individual that brings us together. Sonia Art by Mia Poem by Tina

1 2 In my eyes this will always be true: I am who I am because of you. Merlinda – 18

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 Father’s Day 18 19 20 21 Summer Begins 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Art by Rachel Poem by Anonymous

1 2 3 4 Independence Day 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 You supported those who felt they were weaker links. Anthony and Brandi Art by David R. Poem by Jolene

1 2 3 4

You are an everyday hero of heart, soul, and mind. Sh e l l y

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 LBJ’s Birthday 28 29 30 31 Art by David R. Poem by Breea

Hispanic 1 Heritage Month 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 Grandparent’s Day 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Fall Begins

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 And maybe things weren’t always as happy as they should of seemed. But we’ve with no doubt become the strongest team! Anthony and Brandi Art by Frank Poem by Mandy

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 Children’s Day 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 United Nation’s Day 25 26 27

28 Daylight Savings 29 30 31 Time Ends No longer limited to destruction, today I am happy Chelsea Art by Eddie Poem by Roger

1 2 3 If I had only been Adoption allowed to be a child, it wouldn’t have been so Awareness difficult to be successful. Month Xenia 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 Veteran’s Day 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 Thanksgiving 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 Art by Mandy Poem by Alicia

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 Begins 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 Winter Begins 22

23 24 25 26 begins 27 28 29

30 31 New Year’s Eve

You find yourself listening to advice-giving voices. Nakeya – 18