WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, announced today that EMQ FamiliesFirst Adoption and Foster Services earned the All Children—All Families seal of recognition.   The California adoption and foster care network agency earned the honor by meeting the required criteria for fully inclusive policies and practices in working with the LGBT community.  The Human Rights Campaign’s All Children—All Families initiative provides a comprehensive framework for agencies to establish policies and practices that welcome, support and affirm LGBT foster and adoptive parents.  The seal will be presented to Roberto Favela, vice president of Foster Care & Adoption Services at a ceremony on February 1.

“We chose to work with HRC to ensure we are doing our part to actively welcome, affirm and support LGBT parents and families. We value what LGBT families have to offer our waiting children and want to see more LGBT foster and adoptive parents,” said Roberto Favela, vice president of Foster Care & Adoption Services at EMQ FamiliesFirst. “The seal itself is a symbol of our efforts and hopefully a visible sign to LGBT families of our commitment.”

“EMQ FamiliesFirst has made a commitment to strengthening the American family,” said Ellen Kahn, HRC’s Family Project Director and a social worker.  “We are pleased to welcome them into the community of child welfare organizations that are truly committed to creating more loving families by removing barriers to qualified LGBT adoptive parents.  It is wonderful that LGBT individuals and couples across California have a trusted resource to turn to when pursuing adoption.”

The “All Children – All Families” initiative, launched in 2007, promotes policies and practices that welcome LGBT foster and adoptive parents.  The program seeks to enhance LGBT cultural competence among child welfare professionals and educate LGBT people about opportunities to become foster or adoptive parents to waiting children.  To date, ACAF has over 60 participating agencies across the country, and has awarded 33 seals of recognition. More information about the initiative can be found at www.hrc.org/acaf.

WHAT:           HRC to honor EMQ FamliesFirst Foster and Adoption Services with  HRC All Children – All Families Seal of Recognition

WHEN:           Friday, February 1, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:         EMQ FamliesFirst - 251 Llewellyn Ave, Campbell, CA 95008

EMQ FamiliesFirst takes a state-of-the-art approach to children and youth with complex behavioral health challenges: we combine research-based behavioral health services (including evidence-based therapies and psychiatric services) with a family-centered effort to identify and address the social and other needs of the family. For more information on our programs, including Foster Care & Adoption Services, visit www.emqff.org.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.