2009 News

February 3, 2009

Many Hearts: One Family
Bucks County Children and Youth Adoption Conference
Saturday, February 21, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Covenant Presbyterian Church, 4000 Rte. 202, Doylestown

Many children currently in foster care with Bucks County’s Children and Youth Social Services Agency are looking for permanent homes with adoptive parents. Many people, however, associate the agency only with foster care. 

To answer a multitude of questions involving adoption, Children and Youth will conduct a free conference on Saturday, Feb. 21. It will address different themes including: Search and Openness, Trauma and Attachment, Non-Traditional Families, and Foster to Adoption.

The keynote speakers include Marge McKeone, who has served with C & Y for 19 years – first in the foster care division, then as supervisor of the adoption/intensive services division and currently she is the Assistant Director. In 2003, she was recognized as an “Angel in Adoption” by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. She has served on the PA Joint State Government Commission Committee on Adoption. Additionally, she and husband Tom are parents of a 13-year old son, who joined their family through the adoption process.
Also speaking about their experiences will be Pat and Steve Degen. Pat was raised in foster care until the age of seven, when she was adopted by her foster parents. The Degen’s have adopted three granddaughters, and visit with a grandson who is in foster care system.

Registration for the conference is requested by calling Children and Youth at 215-340-8987, or e-mail at jehorn@co.bucks.pa.us. Free childcare will be provided, including activities for school-age children.

The conference is being held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 4000 Rte. 202 in Doylestown.