October 20, 2021 – Cindy Hyde Smith celebrated Christina Bach as a 2021 Angels in Adoption Honoree for her outstanding advocacy for Adoption and Foster Care. The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), which coordinates the Angels in Adoption Program, honored Christina Back on October 20 in a virtual gala.
Christina Back was honored for fostering two daughters as teenagers through an unaccompanied refugee minor program. Christina has made many contributions to child welfare both in her professional life as well as in her personal life. Professionally, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 20 years of clinical experience. Christina is currently the Division Director of Clinical Services at Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (SCSCY). In this role, she provides trauma therapy to fostered and adopted children who have experienced abuse in their pasts, as well as other victims of crimes in the community. Prior to this role at SCSCY, she worked as the Division Director of Therapeutic Foster Care and Adoption, overseeing the licensing of therapeutic foster/adoptive homes and the placement in these homes for hard-to-place children in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services. In both roles, Christina has worked closely with foster and adoptive families, providing support and encouragement to them. Personally, Christina has two daughters through foster care, placed in her home as teenagers through an unaccompanied refugee minor program. Christina continues to have a close relationship with her now adult daughters and is a proud grandmother to their children. Christina Bach is an advocate for children, working to ensure they receive the support and care that they need and deserve.
Christina states, "I had no children of my own and was single, so it was much easier for me to foster teens then it would have been to foster young children. Now my kids have their own families and I am a grandma!" If you are interested in fostering teens, contact Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. at 601-354-0983.
The Angels in Adoption Program is CCAI’s signature public awareness event and provides an annual opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to honor the great work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of children and families in the United States and abroad. This year, more than 75 Angels from 40 states are being honored through the 23rd Annual Angels in Adoption Program. Read the full list of honorees here. “CCAI is proud to work alongside the Adoption Caucus on the annual Angels in Adoption Program to recognize the extraordinary work and impact of our Angel honorees on behalf of children in need of safe and nurturing families,” said CCAI’s Executive Director, Kate McLean. “Our Angels are adoptees, former foster youth, foster parents, adoptive parents, judges, social workers, scholars, lawyers, volunteers, nonprofit leaders, and fierce advocates – all champions in their communities across the United States. CCAI is honored to help give a platform to these champions on Capitol Hill.”
CCAI is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about children and youth in the United States and around the world in need of permanent, safe, and nurturing families. Founded in 2001 by the co-chairs of the bicameral, bipartisan adoption caucus – the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, one of Congress’ premier caucuses – CCAI works with the caucus to eliminate policy barriers that hinder children from realizing their basic right of a family and more effectively raise congressional and public awareness about adoption, foster care, and child welfare. CCAI does not receive any government funding and relies on the generous support of foundations, corporations, and individuals to accomplish this mission. The 23rd Annual Angels in Adoption Program would not be possible without our Director Partners: Arnold & Porter and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption; our Signature Partner: Carlson Family Foundation; our Champion Partners: General Motors and Rite M. Lewis; and our Leader Partners: American Council of Life Insurers, Annie E. Casey Foundation, BEB, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Casey Family Programs, Comcast NBCUniversal, and Retail Orphan Initiative. For more information, visit www.ccainstitute.org.
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