18 Degrees Permanency Services |
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Federal data documents roughly 400,000 children in foster care in the US and 113,000 waiting to be adopted. 18 Degrees is the only state-contracted adoption management service in Western MA guiding foster children and families toward permanent placement. In the last 6 months, we've helped facilitate 7 adoptions.
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Darien and Tim spent several years envisioning the family they hoped to create. When they met Christian, age 14, last fall, they felt an almost immediate connection. Their relationship grew over hikes, lunches, baking cakes, and sharing holidays together. In January of 2023, Christian moved in, and they celebrated his adoption this past October. Adoption is often a complicated process. At 18 Degrees, Liz Cole and her team of Adoption Services staff work closely with pre-adoptive families and children to ensure strong bonds are built and that their needs are met along the journey. |
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"The path to adoption can sometimes be long and full of heartache and uncertainty, but seeing adoptions, like Christian's, realized is a beautiful moment to celebrate." - Liz Cole, Clinical Supervisor, Adoption Management Services |
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Healing Homes Foster Care at 18 Degrees |
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Over 9,000 children are in foster care in Massachusetts. Healing Homes Comprehensive Foster Care program is placing children in loving homes, while our staff train families to be well-equipped to care for them until permanency is established. We're grateful to the 7 new foster families who completed their training with 18 Degrees last month!
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18 Degrees provides personalized attention and guidance, regular monthly visits, and empathetic support through challenging times. Our Healing Homes staff are dedicated to making this process as smooth as possible, advocating for the best interests of both the child and the foster family in placement. Interested in learning more?
Email Stephanie DiMichele, Director of Permanency or call (413) 584-5690 x 132. |
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In the Community with 18 Degrees |
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| Our Youth & Community Development programs in Pittsfield and North Adams received a personal visit from state health officials and legislators recently.
Hosted at our Pittsfield Community Connection location were Kate Walsh, the MA Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Robert Goldstein, Department of Public Health Commissioner, and Senator Paul Mark and Representative Tricia Farley Bouvier. |
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| 18 Degrees was selected for the visit for our exemplary work in utilizing funds to help proven-risk youth ages 17-24 under the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative.
The meeting centered around the collaborative efforts of 18 Degrees and its partners to empower young people and make a positive impact in our communities. |
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Before leaving, Secretary Walsh and Commissioner Goldstein met one-on-one with participants to hear directly from them about their journey and the influence the program has had in their lives. |
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Pittsfield Community Connection and 18 Degrees staff once again partnered with the city of Pittsfield for a Westside Neighborhood Cleanup effort.
The trash haul included 60 mattresses, 8 pallets of electronics, textiles, and small household items, and 3 dumpsters of bulky waste! |
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Our administrative staff and Family Resource Center enjoyed a Halloween Parade put on by Early Education & Care at 480 West Street!
Toddlers and preschoolers proudly marched through our halls to the delight of all, receiving compliments on their costumes and fun and festive gifts. |
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| Save the Date for the Pittsfield Kids 4 Harmony Winter Concert, December 12th at 5:30pm at Zion Lutheran Church.
North Adams kicked off the year with a pizza party for students and families who look forward to a performance in late January 2024. We hope to see you there! |
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Thank you to those who supported us on GivingTuesday! Monthly giving is a convenient way to increase your level of financial support and get more involved in our mission. |
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If you missed it, you can read our posts on Faceback and Instagram detailing four things we all deserve to enjoy—family, safety, opportunity, and community. |
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Thank you for supporting our mission!
Every child in a family. Every family in a community. |
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