Did you know that there are more than 100,000 children in foster care? The goal of National Adoption Month is to bring national awareness and attention to the need for permanent families for children and youth who are waiting in the U.S. foster care system.
J Thomas Smith, J.D., Psy.D., D.Min., Ph.D. was one of the original staff members of Majic 102.1. He has hosted The Saturday Morning Show since 1994. He has co-hosted “Sunday Morning Live” since 2009. While serving as a staff announcer with American Forces Radio and Television Service from Hollywood, California, his programs were heard in more than 50 countries. He was voted “Air Personality of the Year on Pop Radio” by Black Radio Exclusive Magazine (BRE).
Over the years Smith has been actively involved in the community. Recently, he received a “Top 50 Black Attorney” award from D-Mars Business Journal. He has been honored as “A Man of Style” by Let the Fashions Begin, Inc. benefiting the Texas Children’s Sickle Cell Center and Sickle Cell Patients. He was honored by the Houston Sun Newspaper as a “Houston Sun Beacons of Light: Men of Valor and Purpose” honoree, and he received the 2013 “Community Hero” award from D-Mars Business Journal. He has received a number of proclamations from U.S. Congressional members, Texas House and Senate members and the Houston City Council.
Smith is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He has appeared in a number of industrial and training films and has worked in major radio markets including Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis and Washington, D.C.
Attorney Smith has a general federal law practice. His practice areas include immigration and citizenship, bankruptcy, mental health advocacy; sports and entertainment law. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, Georgia Supreme Court, Kansas Supreme Court, Tennessee Supreme Court, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the United States District Courts for Kansas, Northern District of Georgia and the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas and Kansas.
Dr. Smith serves as a mental health consultant and expert witness. He is licensed in Texas and Georgia as a professional counselor, and in Texas as a marriage and family therapist, childcare administrator and chemical dependency counselor. He is a National Board Certified (NCC) Counselor, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and Master Addictions Counselor (NBCC). Among his many academic credentials he a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of San Jose (CR), Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) from California Coast University, Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from American Christian College and Seminary and a Juris Doctor degree, from Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Smith is the author of “The Secret to a New Life” (in 21 Days) fromXlibris Publishing. It is available at your favorite bookseller.
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Source: Dr. J Thomas Smith / Radio One Houston
November is Adoption Month
Did you know that there are more than 100,000 children in foster care? The goal of National Adoption Month is to bring national awareness and attention to the need for permanent families for children and youth who are waiting in the U.S. foster care system.
Teens Less Likely to Be Adopted
This year, National Adoption Month is focusing on the importance of identifying permanent families for thousands of 15–18 year olds in foster care. Youths of this age are less likely to be adopted. And too often, they age out of the system without a stable place to call home. Some become homeless once they age out.
It is critical that these children secure legal, emotionally secure lifelong relationships. Secure, loving relationships is a critical component of their future achievement and overall well-being. As a foster/adoptive parent, you can become a part of their success.
Discussing Adoption is Often Difficult
Very often, it is difficult to even discuss the topic of adoption with these children. Mainly because they have been let down so often for so long. Even so, these youths want to be involved in conversations about their future and to whom they feel connected. That fact is reflected in this year’s National Adoption Month theme: “We Never Outgrow the Need for Family—Just Ask Us.”
Open Your Home to a Child
We encourage you to consider opening your home to a foster child, and just maybe, you will decide to adopt. More than 100,000 kids are waiting.
If you have thought about becoming a foster/adoptive parent, we encourage you to get more information on the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) web site, National Adoption Month web site, or a Licensed Adoption agency near you. DFPS and most adoption agencies hold informational sessions on a regular basis. At the informational sessions, you will learn about the requirements, the steps and assistance programs that are available to you.
A Permanent Home is Important
Learn why permanency is important, and how you can become an important part of a child building lifelong supportive relationships that can help them reach their positive life goals. If the heart is big enough, the home is big enough. Become a foster or adoptive parent. #AdoptionMonth #NAM2016
J Thomas Smithis host of “Sunday Morning Live” on “The Real Sound of Htown” KMJQ/Majic 102.1 (9-11 cst). He is an attorney, author, keynote speaker and mental health consultant. Your comments are welcome at jtsmith@radio-one.comor jtsmith@worldfamousradio.com. Follow on Twitter @drjtsmith102 on facebook.com/jthomas.smith.12 and instagram.com/drjtsmith102.
