Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu Introduces Foster Care Legislation in Conjunction With Lifetime Original Movie "America"
To highlight National Foster Care Month, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is screening "America" on Capitol Hill with special guests like Senator Mary Landrieu and the movie's star/executive producer, Rosie O'Donnell.
Topics: rosie o'donnell, america, foster care, senator mary... More
In conjunction with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's (CCAI) screening of the Lifetime Original Movie "America," U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) will introduce the Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009, which seeks to connect foster children with caring mentors. At the request of Senator Landrieu and the CCAI, Lifetime Television and Sony Pictures Television will hold a private screening of the critically acclaimed film on Wednesday, May 6, at 5:30 pm at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. Special guests scheduled to attend the event include Senator Landrieu, "America" star/executive producer and Emmy Award winner Rosie O'Donnell, and three-time Emmy Award–nominated executive producer Larry Sanitsky. May is National Foster Care Month.
"After seeing 'America' on Lifetime in February, I wanted to screen this important film for other members of Congress and foster care advocates in our nation's capitol," Senator Mary Landrieu said. "'America' is a powerful movie that does a great job highlighting some of the perils facing our nation's foster youth — especially those who are on the cusp of aging out of the system — and how critical it is for these young people to have caring mentors while in foster care. With the legislation we are introducing, we are taking steps to ensure that."
O'Donnell executive-produced and starred in the powerful film, which premiered on Lifetime Television on February 28, 2009, and was watched by 3.2 million viewers. Upon seeing "America," Senator Landrieu, a board member of the CCAI, urged the Coalition to host a screening on Capitol Hill for members of Congress, Congressional staff, and foster care and adoption advocates.
In addition to child foster care, Lifetime Networks' advocacy initiatives span a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Over the past 25 years, the company's advocacy activities have played integral roles in securing the passage of five major bills into law, including legislation that combats human trafficking, prevents sexual assault and provides services to victims of domestic violence.
O'Donnell will next be seen on July 26 as a guest star in the third episode of Lifetime Television's all-new comedic drama series, "Drop Dead Diva," premiering on the number one women's network this summer.
About the Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009
The Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009 proposes to connect children in foster care with responsible caring adults by authorizing $15 million to establish statewide foster-care mentoring programs, providing $4 million to begin a national public awareness campaign for mentor recruitment programs and allowing loans up to $20,000 in federal student loan forgiveness for those who volunteer to mentor a child in care.
About the Movie
Based on E.R. Frank's book of the same name, "America" takes viewers on the emotional journey of the novel's title character, 17-year-old America, as he navigates the United States foster care system. O'Donnell leads the movie's cast as a therapist who gives America the support to deal with his troubled past and find the courage to survive against all odds. Newcomer Philip Johnson makes his acting debut in the title role alongside Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award–winning actress Ruby Dee ("American Gangster," "Decoration Day").
"America" reunited O'Donnell with three-time Emmy-nominated producer Larry Sanitsky ("The Last Don," "Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All," "Paris Trout") and writer Joyce Eliason ("Gracie’s Choice"), with whom she worked on the 2005 CBS telefilm "Riding the Bus with My Sister." Multiple Emmy Award winner Yves Simoneau ("Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," "Napoleon") directed the Sony Pictures Television film.
Synopsis
Dr. Maureen Brennan (O'Donnell) has spent her career counseling teens as a therapist at Ridgeway, a residential treatment facility for foster kids who are on the cusp of "aging out" of the "system." Her newest patient is 17-year-old America (Johnson), a withdrawn and troubled boy who has been in foster care since infancy. As a youngster, America initially found stability in the arms of Mrs. Harper (Dee), an elderly nanny to one of his foster families. A few days before the start of kindergarten, though, America is reunited with his birth mother, only to be abandoned yet again and left at the mercy of an imperfect system. After years of sexual abuse, America is full of anger and confusion, and attempts suicide, landing him at Ridgeway. There, Dr. Brennan slowly helps him open up about his painful past and provides him with the support and courage to reclaim his life before the system turns its back.
About the Production
"America" was produced by The Sanitsky Company in association with Sony Pictures Television for Lifetime Television. Sanitsky and O'Donnell served as executive producers. Simoneau co-produced and directed from Eliason and O'Donnell's adaptation of the story from E.R. Frank's novel, "America." David Rosemont (Lifetime's "Sex & Lies in Sin City: The Ted Binion Scandal," "The Company") was the producer.
About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed prime-time dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT is also a leader in the field of international television production, with over 9,000 hours of programming in 13 local languages in over 30 countries. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in Sony Pictures Entertainment's (SPE) long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with over 50 networks in more than 130 countries reaching almost 400 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT is a part owner of cable channel GSN; FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service; and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States, and for Sony Music Entertainment. Sony Pictures Television (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
About the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
The Congressional Coalition and Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that strives to be an objective, educational resource for information critical to advancing the efforts of federal policymakers on behalf of children in need of homes. Our mission is to raise awareness of the millions of children around the world in need of safe, loving and permanent families and to eliminating the barriers that hinder children from realizing their basic right to a family. We achieve this mission through five core programs, all designed to provide an up-close and personal experience with issues that affect orphans and foster youth.
About Lifetime Television
Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multimedia company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (which includes myLifetime.com, Mothersclick.com, Lifetime Games, Roiworld.com and DressUpChallenge.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
Photography is available at www.lifetimepress.com.
"After seeing 'America' on Lifetime in February, I wanted to screen this important film for other members of Congress and foster care advocates in our nation's capitol," Senator Mary Landrieu said. "'America' is a powerful movie that does a great job highlighting some of the perils facing our nation's foster youth — especially those who are on the cusp of aging out of the system — and how critical it is for these young people to have caring mentors while in foster care. With the legislation we are introducing, we are taking steps to ensure that."
O'Donnell executive-produced and starred in the powerful film, which premiered on Lifetime Television on February 28, 2009, and was watched by 3.2 million viewers. Upon seeing "America," Senator Landrieu, a board member of the CCAI, urged the Coalition to host a screening on Capitol Hill for members of Congress, Congressional staff, and foster care and adoption advocates.
In addition to child foster care, Lifetime Networks' advocacy initiatives span a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Over the past 25 years, the company's advocacy activities have played integral roles in securing the passage of five major bills into law, including legislation that combats human trafficking, prevents sexual assault and provides services to victims of domestic violence.
O'Donnell will next be seen on July 26 as a guest star in the third episode of Lifetime Television's all-new comedic drama series, "Drop Dead Diva," premiering on the number one women's network this summer.
About the Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009
The Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2009 proposes to connect children in foster care with responsible caring adults by authorizing $15 million to establish statewide foster-care mentoring programs, providing $4 million to begin a national public awareness campaign for mentor recruitment programs and allowing loans up to $20,000 in federal student loan forgiveness for those who volunteer to mentor a child in care.
About the Movie
Based on E.R. Frank's book of the same name, "America" takes viewers on the emotional journey of the novel's title character, 17-year-old America, as he navigates the United States foster care system. O'Donnell leads the movie's cast as a therapist who gives America the support to deal with his troubled past and find the courage to survive against all odds. Newcomer Philip Johnson makes his acting debut in the title role alongside Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award–winning actress Ruby Dee ("American Gangster," "Decoration Day").
"America" reunited O'Donnell with three-time Emmy-nominated producer Larry Sanitsky ("The Last Don," "Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All," "Paris Trout") and writer Joyce Eliason ("Gracie’s Choice"), with whom she worked on the 2005 CBS telefilm "Riding the Bus with My Sister." Multiple Emmy Award winner Yves Simoneau ("Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," "Napoleon") directed the Sony Pictures Television film.
Synopsis
Dr. Maureen Brennan (O'Donnell) has spent her career counseling teens as a therapist at Ridgeway, a residential treatment facility for foster kids who are on the cusp of "aging out" of the "system." Her newest patient is 17-year-old America (Johnson), a withdrawn and troubled boy who has been in foster care since infancy. As a youngster, America initially found stability in the arms of Mrs. Harper (Dee), an elderly nanny to one of his foster families. A few days before the start of kindergarten, though, America is reunited with his birth mother, only to be abandoned yet again and left at the mercy of an imperfect system. After years of sexual abuse, America is full of anger and confusion, and attempts suicide, landing him at Ridgeway. There, Dr. Brennan slowly helps him open up about his painful past and provides him with the support and courage to reclaim his life before the system turns its back.
About the Production
"America" was produced by The Sanitsky Company in association with Sony Pictures Television for Lifetime Television. Sanitsky and O'Donnell served as executive producers. Simoneau co-produced and directed from Eliason and O'Donnell's adaptation of the story from E.R. Frank's novel, "America." David Rosemont (Lifetime's "Sex & Lies in Sin City: The Ted Binion Scandal," "The Company") was the producer.
About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed prime-time dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT is also a leader in the field of international television production, with over 9,000 hours of programming in 13 local languages in over 30 countries. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in Sony Pictures Entertainment's (SPE) long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with over 50 networks in more than 130 countries reaching almost 400 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT is a part owner of cable channel GSN; FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service; and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States, and for Sony Music Entertainment. Sony Pictures Television (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
About the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
The Congressional Coalition and Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that strives to be an objective, educational resource for information critical to advancing the efforts of federal policymakers on behalf of children in need of homes. Our mission is to raise awareness of the millions of children around the world in need of safe, loving and permanent families and to eliminating the barriers that hinder children from realizing their basic right to a family. We achieve this mission through five core programs, all designed to provide an up-close and personal experience with issues that affect orphans and foster youth.
About Lifetime Television
Lifetime is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multimedia company, Lifetime is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (which includes myLifetime.com, Mothersclick.com, Lifetime Games, Roiworld.com and DressUpChallenge.com) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
Photography is available at www.lifetimepress.com.
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My lifetime needs to do an expose on the truth of the matter!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Govabuse-USA/162723840454436
Mr. Harkin,
My children were in foster care form April,2008 to March,2009. They were with a Great family. I have herd lots of horror storys for other parents who were in the same situations. My children were placed with Thomas and Dana Nash of Sioux City. There son was murdered two days after taking in my children. Now they could have said hey we cant do this right now, But they did not they thought of the well being of two little girls that weren't even there's. Dana and Thomas where amazing while they had my children. They gave them every thing they needed and more. I now have my children back and when i first got them Dana and Thomas helped me more then you could imagine. Thomas went through there daughters stuff that had moved out and gave me a bed for me and a tv and little house hold things that i needed. I have now have had my girls back since March and Danna and i still get together the girls go to her house and she is still fully involved in there lives and mine. I think that every foster parent should be there for the children not only financially but all so mentally. Dana and Thomas will always be there for my children because of the connection that they have with them. There should be classes and test to see if someone has the correct potential and the children needs and any thing else they may need. A foster parent should be someone that know what they are doing and be able to handle any thing. If you would like to hear more or know more just give me a call or email and i will be sure to get back to you
Mr. Harkin,
My children were in foster care form April,2008 to March,2009. They were with a Great family. I have herd lots of horror storys for other parents who were in the same situations. My children were placed with Thomas and Dana Nash of Sioux City. There son was murdered two days after taking in my children. Now they could have said hey we cant do this right now, But they did not they thought of the well being of two little girls that weren't even there's. Dana and Thomas where amazing while they had my children. They gave them every thing they needed and more. I now have my children back and when i first got them Dana and Thomas helped me more then you could imagine. Thomas went through there daughters stuff that had moved out and gave me a bed for me and a tv and little house hold things that i needed. I have now have had my girls back since March and Danna and i still get together the girls go to her house and she is still fully involved in there lives and mine. I think that every foster parent should be there for the children not only financially but all so mentally. Dana and Thomas will always be there for my children because of the connection that they have with them. There should be classes and test to see if someone has the correct potential and the children needs and any thing else they may need. A foster parent should be someone that know what they are doing and be able to handle any thing. If you would like to hear more or know more just give me a call or email and i will be sure to get back to you