USA (MNN) — U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (Minn.) recently joined Bill Blacquiere, president and CEO of Bethany Christian Services, for an interview on the "Every Child" podcast to discuss a variety of matters related to vulnerable children, including her commitment to foster care children and the Children in Families First (CHIFF) legislation. The podcast is available for download on iTunes and on the organization's Web site: www.bethany.org.
Having fostered 23 children with her husband, Congresswoman Bachmann has demonstrated a passionate commitment to assisting vulnerable children in the U.S. and abroad. As co-chair for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Bachmann has joined Senator Mary Landrieu (La.) in putting forth the CHIFF legislation to simplify and streamline the U.S. international adoption process.
Hosted by Blacquiere, "Every Child" features informative conversations with leading voices from ministries and non-profit organizations, as well as public officials, business leaders, authors, and artists committed to assisting children in crisis. During her interview with Blacquiere, Bachmann went into great detail on the importance of passing CHIFF to enhance action on behalf of orphaned children around the world.
"I commend Representative Bachmann and Senator Landrieu for their efforts on behalf of vulnerable children across the globe," said Blacquiere. "While we continue to make strides in our efforts to improve social services in other countries so that children can remain with their biological families, we must also continue our progress in making adoption easier and more affordable for those couples who have room in their hearts and homes. Children in Families First is welcome legislation that we urge all in Congress to support. "
Blacquiere says this legislation will "make it more efficient and more focused on getting children into families, and we are very supportive of that. And it would cut down on some of the hoops, if you will, that adoptive families have to go through."
The legislation doesn't require new funding, it just redirects funding to create a new department that will address issues like Russia's ban on adoptions to the United States. Blacquiere says the department would work closely with governments like that "to correct whatever problems they have, to make sure children who don't have any parents and whose relatives are not available or willing to adopt them could then come to the United States through a more efficient and quicker process."
The primary focus of "Every Child" is to increase dialogue on the global orphan epidemic and other social issues in order to draw attention, while sharing ideas on effectively addressing such subjects. Topics ranging from adoption and foster care, to abortion and the introduction of sustainable social services in developing countries, are covered during interviews with key influencers and thought leaders.
The call to Christians is to take care of the widows and orphans. As you adopt or foster a child, your faith can be multiplied.
The legislation has been in the works for over a year. Blacquiere hopes the legislation will be passed when lawmakers return from the summer break.
For more information on Bethany Christian Services or to access the "Every Child" podcast, visit www.bethany.org.
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