THE WAY WE DO OUR WORK

Family-centered support for permanent families

• No one should have to earn the right to belong to a family. 
• Older youth from the child welfare system are adoptable, whether or not they ‘look ready’.  They become more ready for adoption as they participate in the decisions being made about their own lives
• Families who have the desire and skills to adopt teens do exist. It is these people that must be ‘ready’- through rigorous self-reflection, skill building and life-long support.
• Youth currently in residential treatment or correctional settings will be more motivated to successfully complete their programs if they have a committed, engaged family supporting them and awaiting their move home.
• Birth families matter. Youth should be supported in their efforts to create affirming ongoing birth family relationships.  Birth and adoptive families can and do build relationships for the benefit of their child.
• Since we expect parents to make an unconditional commitment to youth, we make an unconditional commitment to our families.  As long as Ampersand exists, we will be here for you; no matter how long it’s been since your adoption and whether or not public money exists to pay for our services.