“You are a mom” – I will never forget those...
Speaker's Bureau
The professional staff of Family Connections, Inc. is available to provide educational workshops for adoption professionals, other professionals touched by adoption (e.g. medical professionals, school staff, early intervention specialists), prospective adoptive parents, and adoptive parents.
Below is a listing of available training. Please note that our professionals would be pleased to design a training program or workshop for your specific needs. Please call to inquire.
Ethics in Adoption
(2 hour presentation)
Target Audience: Adoption professionals
Summary: The application of ethical principles and decision-making models to clinical practice. An interactive dialogue and debate among the participants and presenter regarding ethical issues in adoption.< br/>Speaker: Renee Hettich, L.M.S.W., Adoption Social Worker
How to Adopt – Domestically
(2 hour presentation)
Target Audience: Prospective adoptive parents
Summary: An overview of domestic adoption and how to be successful in the adoption process.
Speaker: Anita F. Stevens, Executive Director
How to Adopt – Internationally
(2 hour presentation)
Target Audience: Prospective adoptive parents
Summary: An overview of international adoption and how to be successful in the adoption process.
Speaker: Anita F. Stevens, Executive Director
Joys and Challenges of International Adoption
(2 hour presentation)
Target Audience: Prospective adoptive parents; New adoption professionals
Summary: An exploration of international adoption – children in need, the adoption process, the unique needs of the children, becoming an multicultural family, and the joys of becoming an international family.
Speaker: Renee Hettich, L.M.S.W., Adoption Social Worker
Openness in Domestic Adoption
Target Audience: Prospective adoptive parents
Summary: A discussion of open adoption practice in domestic adoption. Helpful hints on open adoption – is it right for you.
Speaker: Anita F. Stevens, Executive Director
Risks & Resiliency: Young Children Adopted from Foreign Orphanages
(1 ½ hour presentation for parents; 3 hour presentation for adoption professionals)
Target Audience: Prospective adoptive parents; Adoptive parents; and Adoption professionals
Summary: The risks and resiliency of children adopted from orphanages. The impact of institutionalization and adoption on a child’s cognitive, motor, language, sensory, and social/emotional development.
Speaker: Renee Hettich, L.M.S.W., Adoption Social Worker
Are Those Your Kids? How to Respond to Questions from Family, Friends and Strangers
(1-2 hour presentation)
Target Audience: Prospective adoptive parents; Adoptive parents; and Adoption professionals
Summary: Strategies for respectful responses to awkward questions regarding your adoptive family from family, friends, and strangers.
Speaker: Renee Hettich, L.M.S.W., Adoption Social Worker
Fostering Positive Cultural and Ethnic Identity in Children Adopted Trans-racially and Trans-culturally
(1 hour presentation)
Intended Audience: Prospective adoptive parents and adoptive parents
Summary: An exploration of four major factors that influence a child’s development of a healthy, positive, and integrated racial and cultural identity.
Speaker: Renee Hettich, L.M.S.W., Adoption Social Worker
The Life Cycle of Adoption
(1-2 hour presentation)
Target Audience: Prospective adoptive parents; Adoptive parents; and Adoption professionals
Summary: A discussion of how children experience adoption through their lifetime and how parents can support their children’s development.
Speaker: Mary Capocefalo, L.C.S.W., Adoption Social Worker
Adoption and the Schools
(1 hour presentation)
Target Audience: Prospective adoptive parents, Adoptive parents, Adoption professionals, Teachers, & School Administrators
Summary: Strategies for supporting an adopted child's social/emotional health and educational/learning needs related to their adoption at school.
Speaker: Renee Hettich, L.M.S.W., Adoption Social Worker