The 2011
November Adoption Conference
in honor of National Adoption Month
presented by
Adoption Community of New England, Inc.
Workshops
Morning Session A - 9:15 - 10:45 a.m.
A1. Understanding the Development of Adopted Children
Wendy Schmidt will present risk factors for developmental challenges occurring before birth, at birth and after birth, specifically related to adopted children and children in foster care. The presentation will emphasize maximizing infants' and children's physical, behavioral and overall development within home, community, and learning environments. Parent, medical, therapeutic, and school-based provider collaboration will be considered.
A2. Is Transracial Adoption Right for Me?
Come and learn about the various tools available to help you determine whether transracial adoption is right for you. Karen Cheyney will discuss self-assessment and several of the issues and challenges that may arise for transracial families: helping children to develop healthy racial and ethnic identities; dealing with racism and discrimination; building community and finding role models; and, living as a transracial family.
Morning Session B - 11:00 - 12:30 a.m.
B1. People Who Know: A Panel of Adoptive Teens and their Adoptive Parents
Ruth Bodian will facilitate a panel of parents and youth who will share their personal stories. Hear directly from the young people about the impact of their experience in the foster care system and about transitioning and settling into an adoptive home. Parents will share their perspective of developing relationships with their older children/teens as well as the highs and lows of their adoption journey. Panelists will discuss issues such as adjustment, attachment, and navigating challenging behaviors.
B2. Healthy Relationships With Birth Families
Many children adopted from foster care have ongoing contact with birth parents, extended family and/or siblings, and some have strong memories but no contact. Karen Cheyney will show participants how to help children to have healthy contact, whether in person or through social media. Participants will gain perspective on supervised visitation, open adoption agreements, setting boundaries, monitoring contact, and understanding indicators of concern.
Afternoon Session C - 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
C1. Why Are Some Kids Disorganized, Unprepared and Impulsive?
Adele S. Raade will discuss how children adopted from foster care are at risk for their executive function (EF) development. These children may be challenged in: impulse control, making transitions, modulating emotional responses, initiating tasks, working memory, organization, and self monitoring abilities. EF may change during adolescence and young adulthood because the prefrontal cortex, critical for EF ablities, continues to develop from birth through mid-twenties.
C2. Understanding the Effects of Trauma
Beth Barto will present a glimpse of the "Children Who Have Experienced Trauma" from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network curriculum. Participants will learn the importance of being trauma informed, and how the effects of trauma can derail a child's development. The concept of the "invisible suitcase" provides an understanding of a child's overwhelming negative beliefs and expectations fro the aftermath of trauma.
Afternoon Session D - 3:15 - 4:45 p.m.
D1. Parenting Kids With Rough Starts: Executive Function Challenges
Adele S. Raade will discuss strategies that parents can employ to help their child function more effectively at home and at school. For children who have been adopted from foster care, when is a referral for a comprehensive evaluation of executive function (EF) abilities indicated? Which professionals may be involved in the evaluation and treatment of your child?
D2. Post Placement Issues and Services: A Panel Discussion
A panel of parents and professionals will share their experiences concerning needs of adoptive families and services and supports available after placment and post-adoption. Panelists will discuss issues that many families face during the adoption journey: developing natural supports, locating and participating in support groups, assessing the need for and accessing clinical services, including the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative, and post-placement legal issues. Panelists: Thomas F. Malone, Senior Counsel, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families;Jeanne Blauner, adoptive parent; staff from Community Healthlink; staff from Adoption Journeys.
