National Infertility Awareness Week- Infertility Heroes

This week, April 22nd- April 28th marks Infertility Awareness Week. Infertility affects 7.3 million people in the U.S. This figure represents 12% of women of childbearing age, or 1 in 8 couples (2002 National Survey of Family Growth). Resolve, the National Infertility Awareness Association is celebrating this week with the theme Don't Ignore Infertility, in which they are calling on everyone in the infertility community to commit some act, large or small, to show that we cannot ignore infertility in order to educate or community members, health professionals, friends, and family on a issue that is so often overlooked. 


In recognition of this week, Resolve also honors Infertility Heroes, people in the public eye and celebrities who speak about their personal struggles with infertility, champion the cause, or cover issues that are pertinent to the infertility community.  See these heroes here and read about their stories!!

Mariska Hargitay shares Adoption Journey

In this month's edition of Good Housekeeping Magazine, Actress Mariska Hargitay shares her journey to build her family through adoption. It took nearly two years and included so many ups and downs, which we in the adoption world are certainly familiar with. However, after many months of waiting, and she and her husband were able to adopt a baby girl and sixth months later, surprisingly added another baby boy to their family (in addition to their almost 6 year old biological son!). In this article, Hargitay describes how her "Faith Pulled Me Through" and describes the many wrenching moments, along with the incredibly happy times, that she and her husband endured to grow their beautiful family.

We are huge fans of Hargitay and of course her character, Detective Olivia Benson on Law and Order SVU and this is a great article describing her adoption journey and her story is an inspiration to us all :)

Adoption Friendly Workplaces

Do you work in an adoption friendly workplace? The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is compiling its annual list of the companies that offer the best adoption benefits to its employees. Companies that offer adoption benefits, such as adoption cost reimbursement as well as paid time off, are encouraged to complete the 10 minute survey at adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org. The survey is open until April 30th and the results are published in September in Employee Benefit News Magazine.

This list helps to honor and recognize companies that offer adoption benefits to its employees as well as encourages companies who do not have adoption benefits to look into how easy and beneficial it is to offer adoption benefits to their employees.

Additionally, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has free resources for employers on its website, including sample benefit plans. These are great resources to help employers become adoption friendly and support those who are building their family through adoption.

Myths and Facts about Donor Eggs and Donor Sperm

Here is a great article from Resolve.org, the National Infertility Association outlining some of the myths associated with using donor eggs and donor sperm to build your family. We at A Baby Step Adoption offer  embryo donation and embryo adoption services. Please contact us at info@ababystepadoption.com if you would like more information on these services.

Myths about Donor Eggs and Donor Sperm

Talking to your Preschooler about Adoption

Here is a great article from Adoptive Families magazine about how to talk to your preschooler about being adopted. When children reach the age of 3, they begin to get much more curious and are famous for asking lot of questions. Although preschoolers will understand very little of what adoption actually means, they will begin to understand some the language, concepts, and especially the emotional message of adoption-that they are loved! This is a great article that highlights 5 developmental tasks you can work through with your preschooler as well as encourage exploration.
Budding Curiousity- Talking with your Preschooler about Adoption

January and February Finalizations! : )

Adoption Tax Credit Advocacy

After December 31, 2012, the adoption tax credit will revert to a maximum credit of $6,000 for authorized adoption expenses, but only for special needs adoptions. In order to extend, or, make permanent, the current credit for all adopting parents, Congress must act this year. But because today's adoption tax credit was created as part of a larger tax reduction bill in 2001 (the Bush tax cuts) that expires on Dec. 31, 2012, the adoption community needs to begin educating members of Congress that making the adoption tax credit permanent has strong support in its own right, regardless of whether the larger tax cutting bill is renewed.

As a very good start in that process, the National Council for Adoption has put together a "Grassroots Advocacy Kit on the Adoption Tax Credit," which can be accessed here: https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/images/stories/NCFA_Adoption_Tax_Credit_Advocacy_Kit.pdf. The information and "how to" recommendations in the Advocacy Kit are useful and provide an excellent overview of the adoption tax credit. We are urging everyone to write personalized letters or send the sample letter in the Kit, to each of their Senators and to their Representative in the House expressing their strong support for making the current adoption tax credit permanent and available for all types of domestic and intercountry adoptions.

Without the adoption tax credit, many parents hoping to adopt will not be able to without great financial hardship and many others will not be able to adopt at all. Please make your voice heard in order to help make the adoption tax credit permanent!