FSA Conference Registration Available Now!!

Ready to register for the FSA Regional Conference? Register before October 15th for special early bird pricing. Here is the link: https://www.123signup.com/event?id=mhrdx

A National Counsel for Adoption Webinar for Parents and Adoption Professionals

RISK AND PROMISE: The Brain, Biology, and the Adopted Child
A Webinar for Parents and Adoption Professionals

Due to high popularity, NCFA is pleased to once again offer RISK AND PROMISE: The Brain, Biology, and the Adopted Child, presented by Dr. Ira Chasnoff, MD. This 2-hour, Hague-compliant webinar is based on the published work by Dr. Chasnoff, RISK AND PROMISE, a handbook for parents and adoption professionals on adopting a child from another country. NCFA is offering two hours of CEU accredited by The Catholic University of America, School of Social Work, upon completion of this valuable webinar.

NCFA encourages adoption professionals and parents considering adoption to take advantage of this second opportunity learn about the health and emotional risks for internationally adopted children as well as how to minimize unexpected challenges related to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Reactive Attachment Disorder. This additional offering also provides a unique opportunity for adoption agencies to invite prospective adoptive parents considering intercountry adoption as well as adoption professionals who missed the first RISK AND PROMISE webinar to register and learn about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), and growth charting for observing the prospective adopted child.

This RISK AND PROMISE webinar is designed to enlighten, not frighten, participants about the risks associated with intercountry adoption. Adoption professionals are encouraged to register prospective adoptive parents interested in intercountry adoption and those currently active in the intercountry adoption process.

With many incorrect assumptions on risks associated with intercountry adoption, NCFA is pleased to showcase one of the leading published medical experts on this issue. As part of this presentation, all participants will receive a PDF entitled, “Guidelines for Evaluating Growth,” as adapted by Dr. Chasnoff.

When: Friday, October 15th, 1:30-3:30pm, Eastern Standard Time (12:30-2:30pm Central Standard Time, 11:30-1:30pm Mountain Time, 10:30-12:30pm Pacific Coast Time)

Fee: $45.00 for non-NCFA Members, $38.00 for NCFA Members with affiliation code reference number

Click here and register today!

About the Lead Presenter
Dr. Ira Chasnoff, MD is the President of Children's Research Triangle, a not-for-profit organization that works with high-risk children and their families. He is one of the nation's leading researchers in the field of child development and the effects of alcohol and drug use on the newborn infant and child. He is the author of eight critically acclaimed books that explore how biological and environmental factors impact the development of substance-exposed children. In 2002, Dr. Chasnoff's organization was selected by the Center for Disease Control as one of the five national centers for research into innovative treatment for children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

“I believe that given all the media attention to what can go wrong in an intercountry adoption, we may be creating more fear and apprehension than is necessary. There are steps and measures that every parent and adoption professional can take to help mitigate some health related risks. However, just as there are hidden risks for biological birth parents, there are associated risks with children who are adopted that cannot be completely or accurately predicted. My lifelong work has been to create a reasonable framework for parents to work within.” - Dr. Chasnoff

Moderated by Chuck Johnson, President and CEO, National Council For Adoption

When: Friday, October 15th, 1:30-3:30pm, Eastern Standard Time (12:30-2:30pm Central Standard Time, 11:30-1:30pm Mountain Time, 10:30-12:30pm Pacific Coast Time)

Fee: $45.00 for non NCFA Members, $38.00 for NCFA Members with affiliation code reference number

Registration is now open!

For more information, please e-mail webinars@adoptioncouncil.org.

Need a Hotel for the Conference?

Tawny and Ryan have 3 hotels lined up, and each of them have tentatively set aside 10 rooms for us (so there are 30 available rooms total). Whatever rooms aren't reserved by the deadline specified will be made available to the public at the regular price. Guests making reservations should call the hotel of their choice and reference the "Families Supporting Adoption Conference." (Our special rates are not available for reservations made online.)

Each of the hotels are quite close to the conference location. (For those flying in, Best Western has a complimentary shuttle that runs to and from the airport and also within a 5-mile radius of the hotel. Other amenities for each may be found via the websites.)

Extended Stay America Hotel Seattle--Federal Way
1400 South 320th Street
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 946-0553
extendedstayamerica.com
$61.74 per night, deadline to make a reservation is Friday, October 22nd.

Best Western Evergreen Inn & Suites
32124 25th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003-6014
(253) 529-4000
bestwesternwashington.com
$79.00 per night, deadline to make a reservation is Friday, October 22nd.

Econo Lodge Federal Way
1505 South 328th Street
Federal Way, WA 98003
(253) 838-7700
econolodge.com
$49.99 per night, deadline to make a reservation is Friday, October 29th.

Regional Conference Class Options

Wondering what type of classes will be offered at the Regional Conference on November 5th and 6th? We thought so! Below is a list of the classes so that you can start thinking about which ones will benefit you the most. For additional information about the conference, be sure to visit the "Regional Conference" tab which is located on the top left of this blog. (Just FYI, sessions 1-4 will be on Friday the 5th and sessions 5-8 will be held on Saturday the 6th). See you there!

Breakout Session 1
• Playing Through the Struggles
• Creating an Adoption Profile
• Birthmother Grief (for birthmothers)
• Special Needs Adoption

Breakout Session 2
• Networking: Making Your Adoption Happen
• Foster Care
• Bonding With Your Child Through Physical Interaction
• Discussing Adoption With Your Children (for birthmothers)

Session 3 is a birthparent panel (and because everyone wants to attend, there will be no breakout options).

Breakout Session 4
• Dealing With Infertility
• Attachment and Bonding
• Birthmother Support Group and Prep for Mix and Mingle

Breakout Session 5
• Communication in Relationships
• Birthmother Support Group
• Discussing Adoption With Your Children (for Adoptive Families)
• Speed Class Session - Birthmother gifts / ICPC / Birthmother scams / High School Power Point / What to bring?

Breakout Session 6
• Discipline and Effective parenting
• Art Therapy for Grief and Loss
• Being an Adoption Advocate
• Marking the Box - Education by pediatricians on health defects you might face

Breakout Session 7
• Bringing Baby Home - Part 1 of 2
• Optimal Birth Parenting (for Birthmothers)
• Learning to Love Your Birthmother - Adoptive Couple Panel
• Marking the Box - Education by pediatricians on health defects you might face

Breakout Session 8
• Bringing Baby Home - Part 2 of 2
• Trans-racial Adoption
• Being a Birthmother Peer Counselor (for Birthmothers)
• Legal Aspects of Adoption