All Children - All Families: Innovator Testimonials

Child welfare agencies across the U.S. are improving their practice with LGBTQ+ youth and families through All Children - All Families resources and training. The testimonials below come from agencies recognized at the Innovative Inclusion Tier of Recognition and capture the many benefits of participating in All Children - All Families.

Adoptions Together, Silver Spring, MD

“My team is motivated to solve problems and do better so that the families we serve always get our best. When they asked for more information and resources to deepen our engagement within our trans community, our longtime partnership with ACAF was invaluable. The Benchmarks of LGBTQ Inclusion clearly outlined the concrete actions we could take to improve and ACAF staff were there to answer our questions along the way.”

-- Janice Goldwater, Founder & Executive Director

Aviva Family and Children's Services, Los Angeles, CA

"Aviva is honored to be recognized as a leader in serving LGBTQ youth and families, especially given the disproportionate number of foster youth in Los Angeles County– approximately one in five– who identify as LGBTQ. This acknowledgement is a testament to the humanity and dedication of our staff and complements our mission and belief that every child and every family in our Los Angeles community deserve a chance for a brighter future.”

-- Regina Bette, President and Chief Executive Officer

Devereux Arizona, Maricopa, Pima, and Cochise Counties, AZ

“Working with All Children - All Families has made us the employer of choice, the service provider of choice and the charitable organization of choice in our community. People know that we are an inclusive agency and that draws people to us. Attaining the Innovator Tier of Recognition this year has reaffirmed our standing in Arizona as the most qualified provider of services for the LGBTQ community.”

-- Lane Barker, Executive Director

Forever Families Through Adoption Inc., Rye Brook, NY

“FFTA is truly proud and pleased to continue to place children with LGBT families and to always focus on the best interests of children in need of their forever family. As we celebrate the awarding of the All Children - All Families Seal of Recognition we are not only supporting the LGBT community, but are standing up for ethical practice by removing barriers to LGBT adults who dream of becoming parents and to children in need of a safe, permanent and loving family.”

-- Joy S. Goldstein, LCSW, ACSW, FFTA, Executive Director

FosterAdopt Connect, Independence, MO

“As an agency serving LGBTQ youth and families, we knew that wanting to be inclusive wasn’t enough — we needed to make some changes. Through our participation in All Children - All Families, we’ve transformed that desire into a proven track record of providing welcoming and affirming services. We are proud to be a trusted resource for our LGBTQ community members and we’re committed to the ongoing work it takes to maintain that trust.”

-- Lori Ross, President and CEO

Hands Across the Water, Ann Arbor, MI

“By earning this seal I am more confident than ever that we are prepared to assist LGBT clients build their families and meet their needs as parents, as well as expand the pool of parents for the children who need them. And that is our ultimate goal.”

-- Kathleen Nelson, LMSW, ACSW, Director

Jewish Family and Children Services, Philadelphia, PA

"As an organization we are committed to ensuring all LGBTQ individuals and families receive only the best care possible. From young children to adults and the elderly community, JFCS has examined and transformed our agency with an eye toward LGBTQ inclusion. We are especially proud of this recognition from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. This is testament to the humanity and dedication of our staff and reflects our agency’s vision — uniting expertise with compassion and cultural competency to achieve the goal of creating loving, affirming and supportive families for the LGBTQ youth and families we serve."

-- Paula Goldstein, President and Chief Executive Officer

Uplift Family Services, Campbell, CA

“We chose to work with HRC to ensure we are doing our part to actively welcome, affirm and support LGBT parents and families. We value what LGBT families have to offer our waiting children and want to see more LGBT foster and adoptive parents. The seal itself is a symbol of our efforts and hopefully a visible sign to LGBT families of our commitment.”

-- Roberto Favela, MSW, LCSW, Vice President of Foster Care & Adoption Services

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