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News Jan Parmenter, Lithuanian program director for Bethany CHristian services and mother of a child adopted from Lithuania, will be traveling to Lithuania to receive an award for her efforts in finding homes for Lithuania's children with special needs. The awards ceremony will take place on March 20th. The award winners are selected from nominees, by a jury that consists of the first lady of Lithuania, as well as prominent members of Lithuanian society. Our congratulations to Ms. Parmeter and all those who work so diligently to place special needs children from Lithuania. Chief Specialist Ligita Patejuniene visits US Ms. Patejuniene and her husband met with several LAPAS families and the Lithuanian Ambassador to the United States at the home of Ruta and Tomas Skucas On October 15-20 . Ms. Patejuiene was in Washington to participate in the conference Ethics and Accountability in Adoption held in suburban Washington D.C. (USA). LAPAS recently held it fourth annual Lithuanian Adoptions Gathering in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania. The gathering was attended by 10 US adoptive families, representing 19 adopted children. We enjoyed a weekend full of activities and beautiful weather. 10 of the children also attended the Knights of Lithuania Festival in Frackville PA on Sunday. Meeting with ponia Adamkiene, wife of Lithuanian President Adamkus Lithuanian adopted children residing in the US were invited to a special reception with Mrs. Adamkus on Saturday, February 10, 2007 in suburban Washington DC area. Mrs. Adamkus met each of the children individually and they presented her with handmade birthday cards commemorating her 80th birthday. A keepsake photo album of adoptive families was also presented to Mrs. Adamkus by our children. |
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Contact List:
Links Section
Steering Committee:
Lara Parreira
Gay Plungas
Gina Pollock
Ruta Skucas
Lisa Stancik
James Tomalonis
LITHUANIAN ADOPTIONS INFORMATIONAL YAHOO GROUP LITHUANIAN ADOPTIONS FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP LITHUANIAN GOVERNMENT'S ADOPTION SERVICE LITHUANIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY
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Linkejimai! Greetings! The Lithuanian Adoptive Parents Association (LAPAS) provides social, cultural, charitable, and educational opportunities to families formed through international adoption from Lithuania. We also provide support and information to those exploring adoption from Lithuania.
***Scroll down for updated Hague Accreditation Information 02/29/08
Lithuanian Adoptions Fifth Annual Gathering in the US:
Saturday, August 9, 2008. Come join us on the Tomalonis Farm in Mill Hall PA for our Fifth Annual Picnic! Activities include swimming, games, crafts and more! Attendees are asked to bring an appetizer, beverage, side dish or dessert to share. Accomodations available at nearby hotels and campgrounds. More information coming soon. For questions or to RSVP, please contact James Tomalonis: cedar-springs@comcast.net or Gina Pollock: rmprhp@yahoo.comBaltimore Lithuanian Festival May 17 & 18, 2008 in Catonsville Maryland. Come join us as we celebrate at another Baltimore Festival. LAPAS families will be attending the event together. Contact Gina Pollock: rmprhp@yahoo.com for information on the LAPAS gathering and check out: http://lietuvis.net/ for updates and information on the festival.
Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival July 6, 2008 in Los Angeles, CA. SAVE THE DATE! Plan to attend together with your whole family. Further information available at: http://www.sokiusvente.com/
FRUA, INC's 5th Annual Education Conference: Focus on Education and Development: Equipping Our Children For SuccessMarch 28-29, 2008 at the Busch Student Center- St. Louis University St. Louis, Missouri. In Partnership with the International Adoption Clinic and Center for Counseling and Family Therapy at St. Louis University. An opportunity for parents, educators, medical practitioners, and adoption professionals to interact and examine in-depth the issues facing international adoptees. Among the presenters who will join other top experts with broad and specialized experience on the topics you need to know: Dr. Ronald Federici, Director of Neuropsychological and Family Therapy Associates in Alexandria,VA and author of "Help for the Hopeless Child" and Dr. Boris Gindis Chief Psychologist of BG Center for Cognitive Development Assessment and Remediation in Nanuet, NY. For more information, contact Sandy Davis at sandy@frua.org or visit www.frua.org
LAPAS is currently in it's organizing stages. Membership is open with no charge until the bylaws have been written and the organization is officially registered.
To join LAPAS, please contact Gina Pollock at rmprhp@yahoo.com You will receive a membership questionnaire to fill out.
Join us!
US Hague Accreditation Updates
Congratulations to the following agencies on their recent accreditation to perform Hague country adoptions:
Bethany Christian Services
Family Tree (Temporary for 1 year)
Sunny Ridge Family Center, Inc.
The Open Door Adoption Agency
Information on the COA and Hague accreditation can be found at: www.coanet.org
The Lithuanian Government recently held it's annual meeting for adoptive families in Trakai, Lithuania. 40 adoptive families from Lithuania, Italy and France participated in the festivities.
The Order of the Specification of the Procedure for Granting Authorization to Foreign Institutions in respect of inter-country adoption in the Republic of Lithuania On 3 June, 2005 the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania approved the Order of the Specification of the Procedure for Granting Authorization to Foreign Institutions in respect of inter-country adoption in the Republic of Lithuania. This order established the procedure for granting authorization to foreign institutions in respect of inter-country adoption in the Republic of Lithuania. As a result of this Order, only those institutions accredited by the Lithuanian Government will be permitted to assist families in adoption from Lithuania.Also, families may no longer pursue independent adoptions from Lithuania. A current list of authorized instituions may be found on our Agency page at left. Please do not use an agency not listed there, it is illegal for agencies to "umbrella" their accreditation in Lithuania and your adoption may be adversly effected.
Limitations on dossiers for children under 6 years imposed By order of the ministry on July 17, 2006 authorized foreign institution will be limited to submitting 2 new dossiers per calendar year by familis requesting a child (children) under 6 years of age . This requirement will not apply to families wishing to adopt a child with special needs.
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