Reporter Amy Hadley Awarded 2007 Texas Media Award of the Year

National Association of Social Workers/Texas Chapter has awarded Amy Hadley from News 8 Austin the Media Award of the Year for 2007. This award recognizes outstanding contributions in print, radio, television or online publications that provide information to the general public.

Ms. Hadley has demonstrated leadership in television by

• Accurately portraying the social work profession
• Portraying issues of concern to social workers
• Increasing the understanding, awareness and value of the social work profession to the general public
• Effectively communicating the impact of policy decisions on the lives of Texas
• Using social workers as resources for articles/reports

News 8 Austin, the local 24 hour news channel, is a valued entity in the community and a critical partner to the Adoption Coalition of Texas. In February 2004, News 8 Austin, with the lead of Amy Hadley (reporter) created the franchise – Forever Families, which focuses on adoption of children in foster care. These are often older kids and members of sibling groups, kids that are harder to place. Forever Families is a unique franchise, different from well known segments such as Wednesday’s Child, because of its approach. Not only does Forever Families focus on the kids, but it alternates segments that focus on adoption oriented issues. It features families who have adopted, specialists in the field of adoption resources and other educational components that shed light on children in foster care, the system itself and issues the kids face, such as separation and loss. In many ways, the issue segments are the driving factor in the success of the franchise in helping to significantly increase adoptions.

This success is attributed to Amy Hadley, the reporter who helped conceptualize the franchise, name the franchise and who has filmed every segment, every week, for a three year period.

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