Want to learn more about adoption? Consider a webinar.

THE MYSTERY OF RISK: Medical Risk Assessment and Intervention Techniques

for Internationally Adopted Children

A Webinar for Parents and Adoption Professionals

“Risk is not destiny.” – Dr. Ira Chasnoff

National Council For Adoption (NCFA) is pleased to announce our next 2.5 credit hour webinar, The Mystery of Risk, designed for adoption professionals and parents considering domestic, foster care, and intercountry adoption. 

-  Understand how to assess risk at the time of your referral of a child.

-  Learn to recognize behavioral difficulties and intervention strategies.

-  Gain insight into diagnoses and suggestions on appropriate pre- and post-adoption services.

-  Understand the importance of birth history and signs of distress.

-  Hear real life case studies.

-  Hague-compliant training.

-  Receive 2.5 CEU hours from the National Council For Adoption, fully accredited by The Catholic University of America, School of Social Work.

-  Interactive polling with real-time results and plenty of time for questions and answers!

When:  Wednesday, February 2nd, 1:30-4:00pm, Eastern Standard Time (12:30-3:00pm Central Standard Time, 11:30-2:00pm Mountain Time, 10:30-1:00pm Pacific Coast Time)
  

Click here and register today!

Information from the Heart Gallery - Children of the Month

Heart Gallery
Child of the Month
http://www.afamilyforeverychild.org (541-343-2856)
880 Beltline Rd. Springfield, OR 97477
A Family For Every Child
December 2010

Ten Great Reasons to Adopt a Teen

1. No diapers to change, no bottles, formula or burp rags required.2. We sleep through the night.3. We will be ready to move out sooner...but we will always come home to visit.4. You don't just get a child, you get a friend.5. We will keep you up to date on the latest fashion and trends.6. No more carpools; we can drive you places.7. We can pick up after ourselves and help around the house... when we want to.8. We can learn from you and we can teach you to be more patient, understanding, kind and empathetic.9. We can teach you how to program your cell phone and IPOD, and teach you how to work your computer.10. We will be a part of your life; someone to share our life dreams, achievements and holidays with.


Hunter
Age 15
Hunter is both a talented musician and excels athletically on his school track team! He is bright and articulate and has an outgoing and friendly personality to go with his excellent manners and good intellectual capacity. Hunter plays the French horn in the orchestra and school band and would love to learn to play more instruments. His music teacher says he is definitely capable and could benefit from private lessons! Hunter enjoys most typical age appropriate activities including video games and family activities and outings. Hunter is enthusiastic about the idea of belonging to a family that he can truly count on to follow through with what they say!

Bulletin WA288

Timothy
Age 15
Timothy is a shy 15-year-old boy, who hasn't had much opportunity to just be a child. He enjoys a challenging game of chess to use his advanced logic and thinking skills, and also likes riding his bike, skateboarding and playing electronic games. He thrives on adult attention and responds well to people who like him. Timothy came into foster care when he was eight years old and was adopted by a relative when he was 10 (along with younger twin brothers). He (and his brothers) returned to foster care in 2007, and though his brothers have since been adopted (separate), Timothy is still waiting for his forever family. Due to past traumas, Timothy responds better to men than women. He needs to learn that not all women are bad and they are capable of loving him. At school, Timothy struggles with writing, but he is improving, and his teacher reports he is a pleasure to have in her class. Timothy wants two parents to adopt him. He expresses no gender preference, as long as it's not a single parent. He wants parents who will cook for him, show him affection and enjoy being in his company. He needs a committed family who will spend time with him, talking, playing games and actively engaging him in daily activities. A family who will advocate for his educational and emotional needs and help him nurture his relationship with his brothers. Timothy can get along with other children, but he requires his own space, where he can withdraw and have quiet time now and then. He needs a family who can appreciate his strengths and love him for who he is, while gently guiding him toward further improvements. Such a family will find Timothy to be a rewarding and engaging child.

Bulletin WA167

Corey
Age 15
Corey is a slender, bi-racial youth with excellent athletic abilities. He is physically healthy and seldom ill. Corey is an engaging child and quite talkative with a likable personality. He makes friends easily and is a very loving and caring boy. He likes hugs and likes attention. He requires afternoon naps especially after school.

Corey is quite talented in soccer, baseball, and basketball, and he hopes to become a "Dirt Biker" or a professional athlete when he grows up. He also likes animals and "really loves horses" and wants to be a horse trainer when he is older. Biking, swimming & playing with friends are among his favorite past times. He also enjoys skateboarding, rollerblading, and going on walks with staff. Corey is a very active child. His favorite food is macaroni and cheese.

Bulletin WA125

Angel
Age 14
Angel is an amazing African-American teen with plenty of spunk and personality. Her favorite activities include swimming, gymnastics, dancing, reading and singing. Angel has shown her considerable talent by choreographing a dance performance with her peers for a talent show at school. The audience thought her performance was spectacular and full of energy. Angel has been part of a dance troupe that performs African dances for the public. She has loved it for several reasons, one being that she got paid! Angel exudes a confidence that allows her to express her needs, especially when it comes to her future. Angel is described as tender-hearted. She will often ask what she can do to help when a peer is sad or upset. It is clear that Angel loves her family and eagerly looks forward to monthly visits with her brothers and her grandmother and great aunt. Her grandma, who lives out of state, keeps in contact with Angel through phone calls and some visits when she is in the area. Angel has been clear that she wants to live near her brothers and has become accepting of being adopted and having a permanent home. It will be important for Angel's adoptive parents to take the time to understand her history and experiences, so that they can help her move forward in healthy ways.

Bulletin WA307

Zachary
Age 13
Zachary is a bright, 13-year-old boy with a great sense of humor. He's an active young man who enjoys swimming, video games, and playing outside with his neighborhood friends. Zachary is the youngest of three (3) children; neither his oldest brother, who is 18, nor his sister, who is 17 are legally free, nor are they interested in being adopted with Zachary. The 3rd sibling has a separate permanency plan. Ongoing sibling contact is vital to Zach; therefore, an adoptive family who will honor the siblings' connections and support continued contact is highly desired.His social worker is looking for either a single parent or couple, with or without children, who will commit to adopting Zach, and seeing that all his needs are met, and he's given an opportunity to live up to his full potential. Zachary's Wish List1. Mother and Father2. Pets- cats and dogs are a must3. WA state families only. Zach is not willing to consider a family out of state as he would like to maintain contact with his siblings and biological grandparents.4. NO MILITARY FAMILIES. This point is NOT negotiable.5. Zach would like a medium size home that would insure him his own room. 6. Zach would prefer a home with siblings between the ages of 5-15 with no aggressive behaviors with either brothers or sisters. Zach likes the idea of being the oldest child for a change. 7. Zach would really like to be able to earn an allowance even as little as $.50 and would not expect more than$10.00 per month but would be willing to do chores such as vacuuming, sweeping, moping, etc.8. Zach would like to be in a family that allows video games, computers etc., as he enjoys gaming on various systems. 9. Zach likes to camp, go fishing, and gardening (landscape, vegetable gardening, etc.)10. City living, but not a large city such as Seattle and not on a farm.11. Zach would not mind a religious family but would prefer not to be forced to participate in church, youth groups, or religious education as he currently is. Bulletin WA194

How can you contact A Family For Every Child? Call, email, or visit us online or in person!
880 Beltline Rd.Springfield Oregon 97477
office - 541-343-2856 
toll free - 877-343-2856
fax - 541-343-2866 
Executive Director--Christy Obie-Barrettinfo@afamilyforeverychild.org

Adoption Education - Rescheduled for Friday,March 4th 9am - 7pm at LDSFS in Renton

Bring a lunch and plenty of snacks.  Tara and Tawnia will push through the classes and hope to finish by 7 p.m.  We will have Birthmother Panel during the lunch time.

We will cover the first 5 Core classes in the beginning, so if you have had the first 5 hours, you can come a little later in the day.

Please RSVP by emailing Tawnia Singleton.

Remember this 10 hour class requirement is new policy and needs to occur prior to acceptance.  If you have been accepted, you need it prior to finalization.  Husband and Wife each need the 10 hours.  Some of you have your hours from previous FSA conference, which will count.  Training for foster care does not apply.