January 2020 Newsletter
Education News
2020 CHOOSING TO CARE CONFERENCE
Our Choosing to Care Conference is for foster or adoptive parents and those considering fostering or adopting. We hope that our Choosing to Care Conference gives people time to connect with others, hear stories, find resources, and begin to pray and consider how they can find their role. Everyone will find their role in caring for foster, adopted, and vulnerable children. Whether that is through fostering, adopting, or supporting other families, we believe we can all do something. We hope you’ll join us on Saturday, February 1, at this incredible educational opportunity. Register here.
Schedule of the Day8:30-9:00 a.m. - Registration and Morning Snack
9:00-10:10 a.m. - Main Session: Dr. Sharen Ford
10:30am-11:30am - Breakout One
11:30am-12:30pm - Lunch
12:40pm-1:40pm - Breakout Two
1:50pm-2:50pm - Breakout Three
3:00pm-4:00pm - Closing Session: Adult Adoptee Panel
Breakout Topics Visit our Annual Conference page for full descriptions of the breakout topics below
Adoption 101
Adoption and the Powerful "Signs" of Love
A Look Below the Surface: Addressing Common Post-placement Challenges
Birth Mother Perspectives
Broken Bonds: The Role of Trauma in the Child Welfare System
Court in Foster Care
Diversity Considerations for Transracial Adoption
Facing Loss in Adoption
Helping You Disciple Your Adopted or Foster Teenager
In The Hands of the Master…Brokenness to Beauty – Let Him Use You!
Life Giving Speech
Maybe Days: Language of Foster Care
Navigating and Advocating through Public Schools with Knowledge and Compassion
Tips For Supporting The Foster Caregiver - Biological Family Relationship
The Joys and Fears of Open Adoption
When You Get the Call
Adoption News
QUARTERLY ADOPTIVE PARENT GATHERINGS
We know that the journey of adoption is not done the day you bring your son or daughter home; it’s just beginning. Our desire is to support adoptive families post-adoption. One of the ways that we do this is through our Adoptive Parent Gatherings. These casual events will provide a space for adoptive parents to share with others on a similar journey and find community. In 2020, we will offer quarterly gatherings.
Our first quarter gathering will take place at our upcoming Choosing to Care Conference on Saturday, February 1, at Prince Avenue Baptist Church. During lunch, adoptive parents (and prospective adoptive parents) will have the opportunity to gather together to share their experiences, discuss the morning main session and breakouts, ask questions, etc.
Our annual Choosing to Care Conference is an incredible resource for both those who are interested in learning more about adoption, those who are currently adopting, as well as those who are long home with their sons or daughters. The following breakout sessions will be offered and are applicable to most adoptive parents:
Adoption 101
A Look Below the Surface: Addressing Common Post-placement Challenges
Adoption and the Powerful “Signs” of Love
Birth Mother Perspectives
Children Without an Identified Adoptive Resource
Diversity Considerations for Transracial Adoption
Facing Loss in Adoption
Helping You Disciple Your Adopted or Foster Teenager
In the Hands of the Master...Brokenness to Beauty - Let Him Use You
Life Giving Speech
Navigating and Advocating in Public Schools with Knowledge and Compassion
The Joys and Fears of Open Adoption
There is no need to register for this quarter’s Adoptive Parent Gathering, simply show up during the lunch hour in room 1129. However, attendees do need to register for the Conference. Feel free to come to all or part of Conference based on your schedule. You can view the day’s schedule on our Annual Conference webpage. Childcare is free throughout the day, but spots are quickly filling. Sign up today to join us for an incredible day of trauma-informed education and our first quarter Adoptive Parent Gathering. Register here.
Foster Care News
CHOOSING TO CARE CONFERENCE: A FOSTER CARE RESOURCE
On Saturday, February 1, we are offering our largest opportunity for foster parents to earn CEUs throughout the year. By attending our Choosing to Care Conference, foster parents can earn seven of the 15 annual hours required to maintain licensure. Dr. Sharen Ford will lead the main session in the morning and attendees will have the opportunity to select three breakouts to customize their experience. Relevant courses to foster care include:
Broken Bonds: The Role of Trauma in the Child Welfare System
Court in Foster Care
Diversity Considerations for Transracial Adoption
Helping You Disciple Your Adopted or Foster Teenager
Life Giving Speech
Maybe Days: Language of Foster Care (How to talk to your kids)
Navigating and Advocating through Public Schools with Knowledge and Compassion
Tips For Supporting The Foster Caregiver - Biological Family Relationship
When You Get the Call
We will also offer a roundtable opportunity during lunch for foster parents and prospective foster parents to gather together. Free childcare is provided; however spots are limited and filling quickly. Childcare registration closes on January 24, so sign up today! To read more about the conference, including detailed descriptions of available breakouts or to register, visit our webpage.