October 06, 2011

Manchin Congratulates WV Angels in Adoption

Manchin joins bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) congratulated West Virginia’s recipients of the 2011 Angels in Adoption award in his office this week. Nick and Jorun Picciano of Williamstown were honored in the nation’s capital for their incredible work with the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia that allowed them to first foster and then adopt their son, Josh. 

“The Piccianos have a wonderful story to tell, and they demonstrate what it means to open your heart and share your home,” Senator Manchin said. “It was not easy for them to serve as foster parents, with their busy work schedules and four teenage children of their own to care for. Still, they felt passionately about helping children in need of a place to call home, and in doing so, they have shared one of the greatest gifts imaginable, the gift of family. I am so proud of them for their work and I hope their story inspires other families in West Virginia to make a difference in the life of a child.”

Senator Manchin also announced that he joined the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, a bipartisan group of Senators and members of the House who are committed to supporting the work of foster and adoptive parents. 

The Angels in Adoption program, sponsored by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, gives members of Congress the opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations for their advocacy of adoption issues. 

Last year, the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia finalized 45 adoptions, and 32 of the adoptions were children who were adopted by their foster parents. There are approximately 4,000 children in some type of out-home-care in West Virginia, and about 1,000 in need of a family. These children have no permanent families, as their biological parents’ rights have been terminated or are in some phase of termination. 

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