Barbara Curtis Adoption Grant

Sadly, it is often perceived that children with Down syndrome are “less desirable” candidates for adoption.

Fortunately there are many families that see the truth — the wonderful opportunity to forever change the life of a child with Down syndrome, while at the same time deeply enriching their own.

By breaking down financial barriers, we are forever changing lives.

Who is Barbara L. Curtis?

Barbara Curtis was a tremendous writer and speaker, a beloved wife, and a loving mother to her twelve children. Her eighth son, Jonny, was born with Down syndrome. Barbara and her husband Tripp went on to adopt three more boys with Down syndrome. Barbara unexpectedly passed away in 2012. Her amazing legacy and example of loving and embracing life, and in a special way the life of the angels, continues after her passing. Along with her twelve children, there are fifteen grandchildren and counting!

Application Process

Dear Applicant,

Angels in Disguise was founded by Mike and Penny Michalak in 2008 after the birth of their daughter Elena Rose. Elena was born with Down syndrome and after a very difficult first year, including heart surgery, they decided to celebrate! It began with a classical concert, held in honor of and in gratitude for Elena’s first birthday. It has since grown into a cause, promoting Down syndrome awareness and celebrating the gifts of these incredible individuals. They have the unique ability to touch our souls and warm our hearts, one smile at a time, making the typical world around us a much better place.

In 2014, Angels in Disguise began the Barbara L. Curtis Memorial Adoption Fund to help families welcome angels into their forever homes.

International adoptions may receive up to $5,000 in assistance, and domestic adoptions may receive up to $2500. Fund amounts are based on need.

For assistance, a completed application and supporting documentation are required. We encourage families to apply once they have completed their home study; you may email the application or mail it to our location. If there are any problems with your application, we will contact you directly.

If you send hard copies of photos, please write your family name on the back of each photo. If you send digital photos, please include your last name in the file name. Grant committee will make final decisions based on a case-by-case basis on the information provided in both the application and supporting materials. Please attach a separate page with any additional information that you would like for us to consider. Please do not include your entire home study . Grants will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year as funds or opportunities present themselves. Upon review, the committee may decide to hold onto an application for future opportunities. You may keep us up-to-date as your adoption process unfolds.

Congratulations on welcoming an Angel into your family and joining the celebration!

Applicant's First Name *

Applicant's Last Name *

Applicant's Age *

Applicant's Gender *FemaleMale

Spouse's First Name *

Spouse's Last Name *

Spouse's Age *

Spouse's Gender *FemaleMale

Street Address *

Apartment

City

State *

Zip Code *

Phone *

Email Address *

Name and Age of Children (prior to this adoption).If none, please write "None"

Do any of these children have special needs? *YesNo

Please explain

INFORMATION ON CURRENT ADOPTION

Name of the child (CURRENT) *

Name you will give the child *

Current Status of your Adoption Process

Country of Origin

Adoptees Age

Expected Travel/Placement Date

Description of child(ren). Please include gender, relation (if any), special needs, etc.

AGENCY INFORMATION

Adoption Agency Name

Adoption Agency Address

Suite, etc.

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Phone Number

Caseworker's Name

Caseworker' Email

Employment

Applicant's Employer

Length of Employment

Job Description

Spouse's Employer

Length of Employment

Job Description

Financial Information

Combined Gross Income for the Family *

Total Estimated Cost for the Adoption *(Please provide a breakdown below if possible.)

Please provide a breakdown explaining the total estimated cost for the adoption.

Current amount needed to be fully funded *

What efforts have you made to raise funds? What amount has been raised?

PERSONAL NARRATIVE

Please provide at least a brief synopsis of your family, adoption discernment/process and why you qualify for these funds. Please include any experience you have working with children who have special needs, especially Down syndrome. *

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

We require three letters of recommendation, which can be from your home study. Please upload them here. *

PHOTOGRAPHS

Please provide a current photo of your family, as well as a photo of the child(ren) you are currently adopting. Include your last name in the file name. *

May we have permission to use these photographs on our website and social media outlets as well as printed materials for the purposes of promoting adoption of children with special needs as well as Angels in Disguise? *YesNo

Please include any other documents or information that you feel would be helpful to the review committee.

CONSENT

ANGELS IN DISGUISE ADOPTION GRANT APPLICATION CONSENT FORM

PURPOSE
The undersigned agrees and acknowledges that this application is being made for the purpose of obtaining assistance with an international or domestic adoption of a child diagnosed with
Down syndrome. The undersigned further acknowledges that the willingness to accept an application is not acknowledgement of any type from Angels in Disguise that a grant will be awarded.
Authorization and Release
The undersigned hereby authorizes any officer, employee, agent, representative, or staff member of Angels in Disguise to obtain financial and personal information from any institution or individuals referenced in this application.
Limit of Liability
The undersigned acknowledges that Angels in Disguise has made no representation or warranty that financial aid or other services will be furnished to the undersigned and further acknowledges that Angels in Disguise shall have the sole discretion to accept or deny this application with or without cause. The undersigned further releases and holds Angels in Disguise harmless from any liability of any type or nature as a result of allowing the undersigned to submit this application.
Permission
The undersigned gives Angels in Disguise permission to use their story and/or photographs on the Angels in Disguise website and social media outlets, including but not limited to Facebook
and Twitter, and/or printed material, with the purpose of helping families to adopt children.

YesNo(Your answer does not have an impact on financial assistance; however, it may preclude you from special opportunities for funds that require photographs.)

We understand that families who adopt domestically may be eligible to receive a tax credit for money spent for adoption. Money received as a result of this grant is not taxable, and a
refund cannot be claimed for any funds used from the grant. In addition, we understand that we may not donate money to Angels in Disguise towards our own adoption expenses and
receive a tax deduction.
We understand that any money granted will be dispensed directly to the adoption agency and not to the family applying for the grant. If there is no outstanding balance with your agency, Angels in Disguise must receive a statement from your agency declaring that your family will be reimbursed the amount of the funds awarded.
We understand that if at any time recipient terminates adoption plans, the remaining grant money will be forfeited and will return to Angels in Disguise for future distribution.
We understand that grants are only accepted from permanent, legal citizens of the United States of America residing in the United States of America.

Applicant's Signature *

Spouse's Signature