Jackson Appointed to Governor’s Adoption Committee

24
Jul

MJ prof pictureOn July 21, 2014, Michele L. Jackson, CEO and founder of MLJ Adoptions, was officially named as an appointee to the Indiana Governor’s Adoption Committee, along with eight other members of Indiana’s professional adoption community.

The Indiana Governor’s Adoption Committee was established by House Enrolled Act 1222 (HEA 1222), which also created Indiana’s first adoption tax credit. The committee is required to study how other states have partnered with private, faith based, and community entities to provide services under the public adoption programs of those states and study the legal and regulatory costs associated with foster care and private adoption in Indiana, make recommendations concerning improving adoption programs in Indiana, and report the committee’s findings and recommendations to the Indiana Governor Mike Pence and the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Michele previously testified before the Indiana House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee in support of this act, attesting that expanding and improving adoption in the State of Indiana benefits children that do not have families, adoptive families, and the community at large. During her testimony, Michele spoke of the transformative effects adoption can bring to children and families and commented that one of the reasons families may not pursue adoption is due to lack of funds. Michele was also privileged to attend the ceremonial signing of HEA 1222, along with adoptive families and other individuals who advocate for children in need of families through their work.

It is Michele’s firm belief that a family is a fundamental and human right that all children should be entitled to, and Michele is committed to removing barriers to adoption. She is honored and thankful for the opportunity presented by her appointment to the Indiana Governor’s Adoption Committee to use her experience as an adoptive mother and an adoption professional to contribute to improving adoption in Indiana.

Liane Steffes, JD is an adoption attorney and serves as MLJ Adoptions’ Chief of Staff. Ms. Steffes earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 2013. She is thankful for the opportunity to serve children in need of loving, permanent, and secure families.