The National Center for Adoption Law and Policy (NCALP) is the nation’s only academically based entity dedicated to improving the laws and policies for child protection and adoption services.  NCALP is located in the law school, and provides many opportunities for student involvement.  I was most interested in Capital because of its connection with NCALP, and my personal interest in adoption and family law.

 

During the second semester of first year, I worked as student assistant for the Center.  My primary responsibility was summarizing recent cases and news articles from across the country related to adoption and children’s services issues.  The Center provides those summaries free of charge on their website, http://www.adoptionchildwelfarelaw.org/.  People can also sign up to receive weekly email updates with the latest information in this field. 

 

I also volunteered some of my evenings as a coordinator for the Adoption Academy.  Working with Nationwide Children’s Hospital here in Columbus, NCALP hosts a twelve-week series to helping families understand the adoption process.  It is divided into three tracks:  Core Track, Domestic Track, and International Track.  It is very informative for anyone considering adoption.  The sessions include guest speakers with professional and personal experience in adoption.

 

Two of my favorite events hosted by NCALP are Forever Home and the Autumn Wine Celebration.  Both serve as fundraisers so the Center can continue its efforts in ensuring that every child has a safe, healthy and permanent home.  Forever Home is a special day for adoptive families and friends to celebrate together.  In previous years it was held at the Columbus Zoo and COSI.  The Autumn Wine Celebration is an elegant evening of live music, great wines, and a silent auction.  My friends and I have volunteered at the event for the past few years and it’s always a fun time.

 

One last thing to mention about NCALP is the Adoption and Child Welfare Law Fellowship.  The Fellowship is offered to incoming first year students who are interested in pursuing a career in child welfare and/or adoption law after graduation.  Fellows are given numerous benefits and opportunities, including a merit scholarship and a student worker position at the Center.  For more information, check out http://www.law.capital.edu/adoptionfellows/.