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64 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, September 25, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 24, 2004 Adoption specialist honored By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune A local social worker recognized nationally for her knack at helping kids find families was too busy doing just that to attend a Washington, D.C., ceremony celebrating her award Thursday. Shelley Busby of Ashland, an adoption specialist who has worked for the Jackson County Department of Human Services for 27 years, was nominated by 2nd District Congressman Greg Walden to be honored as a Congressional Angel in Adoption. The recognition is bestowed by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Busby was nominated by Walden as one of only three in the state and 170 nationwide to receive the award. "She is truly a gift to children in need of a family and to those looking to expand their family through adoption," said Walden, R-Ore. "Her commitment and compassion have led her to become highly regarded by both the families she works with and her colleagues," he said. Advertisement Child welfare manager Doug Mares said staff members threw a party Thursday morning in which Busby was presented flowers and a homemade halo to celebrate her recognition. He said no one was more deserving of being recognized for finding good matches between families and children who need them. "She is very attentive and goes above and beyond to make sure the relationships are good. She pours her heart out for her kids and families," said Mares. In a brief interview Tuesday, Busby said she was surprised and grateful for the recognition, especially for any increase in awareness the recognition brings to the need to find adoptive families for foster children. By some estimates, more than 535,000 children currently need adoptive homes in the United States. "Any given day we have 300 children throughout the state that we are actively looking for homes for," said Busby, 58. Originally from New York, Busby came to the Rogue Valley in the early 1970s and began working as an adoption specialist in 1987. Busby said she could not imagine a more rewarding job than helping match children with families. "I feel very fortunate to have this job and have the opportunity to see some really incredible things happen," she said. "The wonderful part is I go into these homes and see kids truly blossoming." Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities