Jane Aronson, MD International Pediatric
Health Services, PLLC, Board Certified pediatrician, pediatric infectious
diseases specialist. Clinical assistant professor of pediatrics Weill Medical
College/Cornell
This is a current review of the basic health issues of children adopted from abroad and living in orphanages including malnutrition, failure to thrive, FAS/E, sensory integration disorder, behavioral issues and attachment/bonding issues. Developmental issues will be a focus of the discussion with major attention focused on diagnosis and management of delays. Time will be set aside to look at what we know about the long-term follow-up of children adopted from abroad.
Kristine Leander, PhD World Association for Children (WACAP), Director of Communication and Development
Explore the various adoption opportunities available to you: Domestic, international, agency, independent. Learn about procedures, requirements and expectations of each. You will receive information about where children are waiting for a family.
Aaron Britvan, Esq. Law Offices of Aaron
Britvan, Adoptive Parent, Adoption Attorney, APC Legal Advisor, Author
"Adoption in New York", Co-Chair of the Adoption Committee of the New
York State Bar Association, and member of the Boards of APC and the AIA
The presenter will discuss the many myths which surround adoption and will address the concerns of adoptive parents from beginning to end, including the availability of newborn children, potential adoption costs, the waiting period, and the reality of birthparents’ right. It does not take years and should not cost a fortune to find a baby to adopt.
J. Michael & Barbara Greenberg, Esqs. Greenberg
& Greenberg Attorneys at Law, James M. Greenberg, Esq. Greenberg
& Greenberg, Adoptee
The Greenberg’s will discuss the process specifically in Colombia, Guatemala, and opportunities in some other Latin American and Caribbean nations. They will also touch upon opportunities and news from Romania, Russia and Eastern Europe.
Maris Blechner Family Focus Adoption Services,
Executive Director of Family Focus Adoption Services, APC Board Member,
adoptive parent.
Adoption issues crop up at different times during the life
of a child. This workshop will discuss what changes to expect and how to help
your child and yourself deal with them.
Michael S. Goldstein, Esq., JD Fordham
School of Law, MSW Syracuse University, APC Legal Advisor, Member of: NACAC,
Resolve, NINE, NYSAC, CCC. Former Board & founding Member of the American
Academy of Adoption Attorneys. NY, FLA & Westchester Bar
An attorney concentrating in adoption, who is also the adoptive father of three and certified social-worker, shares the how-to’s, red flags, emotions and legalities involved in helping biological parents and adoptive parents find each other to create successful adoptive families.
Robin Fleischner, Esq. Law
Office of Robin A. Fleischner, Adoptive parent and attorney with offices in New
York and New Jersey, whose practice is limited to adoption; Member American
Academy of Adoption Attorneys, and New York and New Jersey Bar Associations
This workshop provides a “how to” guide to private and
identified adoption, with a full explanation of the practical and legal aspects
of the process.
Kerry Marks Hasenbalg Congressional Coalition
on Adoption Institute, Executive Director
Changes in federal law regarding the adoption tax credit, family leave policies and the Adoption and Safe Family Act have a direct impact on adoptive families. Learn how you can benefit and protect your child’s rights in the future. The speaker will also review current federal initiatives. Participants will understand the impact of the federal legislation on services and benefits available to their foster and adoptive children.
Arthur Glickman, Emeritus Member APC Board
of Governors
How the adoptive Parents Committee started out with the few adoptive parents having coffee one evening and now has grown to thousands of families and five chapters in three states.
Ronny Diamond, MSW Director Adoption
Resource Center Spence-Chapin, Co-author "Couple Therapy for
Infertility"; private Practice
This workshop will outline ten basic principles of adoption sharing which apply to children of all ages including adolescence. It will also provide strategies and guidelines for when and how to share specific and complicated information, such as pictures, letters, and the birth parent’s other children.
Judy Stigger, LCSW, Sam Pitkowsky, Past
President, APC-NYC
This workshop will provide general information to those just beginning the process of adopting internationally; country-by-country requirements; INS policies and paperwork will be covered.
Justin Herscovici, Children of the World
Adoption Agency, International Adoption Experience in Romania & Russia
since 1990, Law Degree from Moscow Lomouosa University Law School, LLM NYU Law
School
How the new Russian Adoption Legislation of 2000 is
applied in various Regions of the Russian Federation, the role of the
accredited Agencies and the rights and obligations of the prospective adoptive
parents.
Tim Stufin, New Beginnings Family &
Children's Services
Current overview of Asian adoption, including the process,
ages, and health of children, inter-cultural and psychosocial family issues.
Ben Mankita, CSW Child/family therapist,
Adoptive Parent, Former President APC Long Island
If a Platypus is a duck designed by a committee, then a
pre-adolescent is that same committee's concept of a rational human being. Torn
between childhood and the teen years, these youngsters struggle with
independence, identity and a host of other issues. What is the impact of
adoption? How can parents survive and raise reasonably well-adjusted people
(without being committed)? All of these questions (and a few more) will be
raised, discussed and settled once and for all.
Anna Sank, CSW, Karen Hofferman, CSW, Spence-Chapin,
Outreach Coordinator
A panel of birth and adoptive families share their initial
meetings to their evolving post-placement relationships. Discussion points
include the joys, frustrations and anxieties experienced during the course of
these very complex interactions. Families will talk about the importance of
acknowledging complicated and often negative feelings and how they learned to
develop unique, meaningful and healthy bonds.
Dee Paddock Families With A Difference, MA,
MTS, NCC
Understanding how attachment develops and creating healing
connections in adoption.
Judith Sedlitz APC-LI, Co-chair APC LI
Single and Non-traditional Families
A panel of single parents will discuss the various methods
they used to successfully adopt their children.
Nelson Handel, Author
The author of the book, “REACHING OUT: The Guide to
Writing A Terrific Dear Birthmother Letter” will share some valuable pointers
during this workshop.
Sara Barris American Infertility Association
(AIA), Co-Director of Support Groups AIA, Adoptive & Biological Parent
Fill your toolbox with coping skills for parenting in
adoptive families. Learn to honor
yourself and your children as you parent through ages and stages. Adoptive grandparents and loved ones are
welcome to join.
Lori Kling, MSW, CSW Adoption Options, Social
Worker
A complete discussion of the homestudy; what’s involved,
when it’s needed. Learn how to make it a positive part of the adoption
process. We will discuss the home study
as it pertains to independent, agency and international adoptions.
Andrea Troy, CSW
An overview of adoption and possibilities for gay and
lesbian singles and couples. Air your
fears, boundaries, and feelings.
Participants can raise issues/ concerns about becoming a single parent.
Debbie Schwartz, APC Connecticut
A panel of Connecticut adoptive parents will tell their
stories of how they adopted.
Carol Wheat, Family Education Specialist,
Pederson-Krag's post-adoption program, member of the training department at
Little Flower Children's Services.
In their book, Adoption and the Family System, Miriam Reitz and Kenneth W. Watson identify 7 key issues that families formed by adoption have to deal with: Entitlement and claiming, Unmatched expectations, Shifts in family systems, Separation, Loss and grief, Bonding and Attachment and Identity formation. Over the course of 5 sessions, we will talk together about how each one of these plays out in our own families. Session 1 will overview the 7 issues, and then start the conversation about entitlement (your sense of the right to parent/discipline the adopted child) and claiming (the reciprocal process of belonging). Session 2 will address unmatched expectations and shifts in the family systems (we'll do family maps). Separation, loss and grief will be explored in session 3, with bonding and attachment covered in the 4th session. We'll finish the series by talking about identity formation. The handout material will be the same for all sessions, and while the conversation will continue over the course of the 5 sessions, each is designed to 'stand alone', so feel free to participate in any or all of them.
Maria del Consuelo Alonso, PA-C Winthrop
University Hospital International Adoption Program, Board Certified Physician
Assistant with over 5 years experience in international adoption moderates a
panel with members: Roy Horowitz, MD, Pediatrician, Paul J. Lee, MD,
Pediatrician in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Leonard Krilov, MD, Chief of
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
In this seminar, we will discuss both the common and
unusual pediatric issues that potential parents may have to face in their
internationally adopted child. We will start with a discussion of the commonly
encountered problems seen in internationally adopted children, such as
hepatitis, tuberculosis, parasitic infections and developmental issues. (This
workshop will be repeated during session 4).
Robin Fleischner, Esq. Law Office of Robin
A. Fleischner, Adoptive parent and attorney with offices in New York and New
Jersey, whose practice is limited to adoption; Member American Academy of
Adoption Attorneys, and New York and New Jersey Bar Associations
A practical and legal guide to marketing yourself as an
adoptive parent. Learn creative
techniques for advertising and networking to locate and communicate with the
birth parents.
Aaron Britvan, Esq. Law Offices of Aaron
Britvan, Adoptive Parent, Adoption Attorney, APC Legal Advisor, Author
"Adoption in New York", Co-Chair of the Adoption Committee of the New
York State Bar Association, and member of the Boards of APC and the AIA.
The legal and proven paths to locating a good adoption
situation independently; dealing with birth parents and keeping your emotions
and finances intact. There is a bright
light at the end of the tunnel.
Nancy M. Fox, Ph.D. Co-Founder and Exec
Director of Americans for International Aid and Adoption. Sook Wilkinson,
Ph.D. Americans for International Aid in Adoption, Clinical
psychologist, counseled adoptees, Author "Birth is More Than Once"
Sook Wilkinson and Nancy Fox are co-editors of “After the
Morning Calm, reflections of Korean Adoptees”. They will discuss core issues to
adoption, grief/loss, identity, birth/adoptive family and the additional issues
of transracial/cross-cultural placements.
Roberta Kalmar, CSW NYC Board of Education,
Middle School Counselor, CSW
Adolescence is an intense period when teenagers turn their
a attention inward and think about their roots and identity. Middle school
offers them the chance to discuss their feelings in formal settings with their
friends and with support staff in school. This workshop is designed to provide
parents with an opportunity to understand services provided by the Board of
Education for your teen.
Ronny Diamond, MSW, Director Adoption
Resource Center Spence-Chapin, Co-author "Couple Therapy for
Infertility"; private Practice
This workshop will help you to evaluate your family’s
readiness to open your child’s adoption: How to assess your child’s emotional
readiness. What fears are normal for
adoptive parents? What age is best? What needs to be addressed in
preparation? What is the process? Are there reasons not to open an adoption?
Sara Barris American Infertility Association
(AIA), Co-Director of Support Groups AIA, Adoptive & Biological Parent
This workshop will help explore and clarify feelings
around increasing family size and blending families through adoption or
birth. Deepen your understanding of
parenting issues in blended families and learn strategies for a wholesome
family experience.
Maris Blechner Family Focus Adoption
Services, Executive Director of Family Focus Adoption Services, APC Board
Member, adoptive parent.
A look at the types of assistance that adoptive families
need in the days, weeks, months, and years after a child enters their
home...and how to get these services.
Stanley Greenberg APC-Hudson Chapter,
Past-President APC Hudson, & Adoptive Parent
A panel of adoptive parents over the age of forty will
discuss issues they did and did not confront when making the decision to adopt.
They will also focus on their experiences and challenges they have faced as
parents. Questions will be addressed.
Karen Roser, Psy.D., Adoptive Mother, Child psychologist
Having the right framework allows parents to comfortably discuss adoption with their children. Child psychologist/ adoptive parent Karen Roser will dialogue with the parents, helping them clarify feelings and issues about their adoptive experience and exploring ways to create positive communication with their children.
Larisa Mason International Assistance Group,
Executive Director, International Assistance Group
The discussion will focus on broad concerns about
international adoption, including the type of program offered by an agency or
intermediary, health concerns about the children available, the importance of
adoption education, mentoring and support. Finally, the workshop will include a
discussion about the role of US Immigration and Naturalization.
Susan Malcolm International Assistance
Group, Director of Program Development IAG
The discussion will focus on parent preparation for
Russian adoption. Specific topics to be discussed include: selecting an agency,
decisions about child preference and the ultimate impact of preference in
parenting, potential health issues, adoption preparation, travel arrangements,
and post adoption support.
Cathleen Danowski, New Beginnings Family
& Children's Services
This workshop will discuss the adoption paperwork,
expense, travel, and health issues involved in adopting from Asia.
Ben Mankita, CSW Child/family therapist,
Adoptive Parent, Former President APC LI
This workshop will focus on Early Development issues,
parenting and how children are impacted by adoption. We will also touch upon:
Parenting Do's and Don'ts; Talking about adoption (when, where, how and to
whom); The building blocks of self-esteem; How to handle behavioral and
disciplinary issues.
Bernice Hauser, 92nd Street Y
Five developmental stages in a child’s understanding of
adoption are discussed, with a focus on both the child’s concerns and the
parent’s role in responding most helpfully to these issues. Parent will learn what their child can
understand at different ages, how to explore the issues with their child, how
to help their child answer questions about adoption, and how to create a safe,
open, empathetic family atmosphere in which adoption can be discussed.
Karen Wasserman APC, LI, APC Tri-State
Resources Chairperson, Co-chair APC LI Single and Non-traditional Families
A panel of single parents will discuss post-adopt and
parenting challenges and discuss strategies for success.
Pat O'Brien, Executive Director of You Gotta
Believe!
This workshop will explore the urgent need to get teens
and pre-teens into adoptive families and will look at the variety of reasons
folks consider this type of adoption to begin with.
Dina Rosenfeld, DSW Jewish Child Care Association,
DSW AMETZ Adoption Program, Community Educator, 20 Years experience in the
Adoption field
An Exploration of lifecycle issues in Jewish and
interfaith adoptive families, including the decision to adopt, conversion of
the non-Jewish child, the family and child’s identity within the Jewish
community and celebrating adoption and Jewishness through traditions and
rituals. This is an open and
interactive forum. Bring your
questions.
Miriam Vieni, CSW New York Home Study Service,
NYS CSW, Diplomat in Clinical Social Work, Cord. of Home Study Svc, Adoptive
Parent
A description of the home study process with an
explanation of the specific responsibilities of the home study preparer in
relation to the responsibilities of the other professionals involved in the
adoption process. This includes a discussion of child abuse clearance and New
York State fingerprinting. Differences
between domestic and international homestudies and between independent
practitioner and agency home studies will also be discussed.
Michael S. Goldstein, Esq. JD Fordham School of Law, MSW Syracuse University, APC Legal Advisor, Member of: NACAC, Resolve, NINE, NYSAC, CCC. Former Board & founding Member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. NY, FLA & Westchester Bar Associations
An attorney concentrating in adoption, who is also the
adoptive father of the three and certified social-worker, shares the how-to’s,
red flags, emotions and legalities involved in the helping biological parents
and non-traditional adoptive parents find each other to create successful
adoptive families.
Judy Stigger, LCSW
“Is he yours?” “What a lucky child?” “Any real children?”
People comment or stare curiously at our family. How do we honor our child’s ethnicity and encourage a healthy
self-image, without making our child feel set apart from us? We will examine prejudices, entertain
scenarios and responses, and learn ways to celebrate our children’s culture
that enfold him/her into our family.
Carol Wheat, Family Education Specialist, Pederson-Krag's
post-adoption program, member of the training department at Little Flower
Children's Services.
In their book, Adoption and the Family System,
Miriam Reitz and Kenneth W. Watson identify 7 key issues that families formed
by adoption have to deal with: Entitlement and claiming, Unmatched
expectations, Shifts in family systems, Separation, Loss and grief, Bonding and
Attachment and Identity formation. Over the course of 5 sessions, we will talk
together about how each one of these plays out in our own families. Session
2 will address unmatched expectations and shifts in the family systems (we'll
do family maps). Separation, loss and grief will be explored in
session 3, with bonding and attachment covered in the 4th session. We'll
finish the series by talking about identity formation. The handout material
will be the same for all sessions, and while the conversation will continue
over the course of the 5 sessions, each is designed to 'stand alone', so feel
free to participate in any or all of them.
Robin Fleischner, Esq. Law
Office of Robin A. Fleischner, Adoptive parent and attorney with offices in New
York and New Jersey, whose practice is limited to adoption; Member American
Academy of Adoption Attorneys, and New York and New Jersey Bar Associations
A group of adoptive parents will discuss their independent
and agency adoption journeys. The
moderator will add insights from a legal and practical perspective.
Joy Goldstein, CSW, ACSW Office
of Michael S. Goldstein Attorney at Law, MSW Columbia University, Academy of
Certified Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers, Member of:
APC, NACAC, Resolve, CCC, NINE, NYSAC, Certified Student Supervisor Hunter
College, Staff Consultant YM-YWHA in Scarsdale
A social worker concentrating in
independent adoption, who is also and adoptive parent, will discuss and role
play how to deal effectively with the birth parents on the telephone, and how
to handle the anxieties common to all contacts between adoptive and birth
parents.
Connie Mancini Haack, CSW, ACSW
This workshop will explore the factors to consider in
choosing between domestic, international or agency adoptions. The differences
in each method will be highlighted including the age and appearance of the
children, amount of information available, risk factors and degree of
involvement in the adoption process.
Nancy M. Fox, Ph.D. Co-Founder and Exec Director of Americans for International Aid and Adoption. Sook Wilkinson, Ph.D. Americans for International Aid in Adoption, , Clinical psychologist, counseled adoptees, Author "Birth is More Than Once". They co-edited "After the Morning Calm, Reflections of Korean Adoptees".
A panel of adoptees that contributed to the book will read
selections from “After the Morning
Calm, Reflections of Korean Adoptees”.
Cathleen Danowski, New Beginnings Family
& Children's Services
Parents of pre-school and school-aged children often have
legitimate concerns about how school systems, educators and the curriculum view
adoption and adoptees. This workshop explores issues and offers strategies
parents can use to deal with the schools when something is problematic. Suggestions are offered for ways that
parents can become "partners" in teaching about adoption and in building
positive self-esteem for children.
Barbara Kalish, Past-President APC-NJ
A panel of adoptive parents explore various levels of
openness from letters and pictures to meetings at the beach. They will explore
the effect on children and other interesting aspects of an open relationship.
Chana Leah Mesberg, Esq. APC-Hudson,
17 years experience as an adoption attorney, AAAA Member, NYS Bar Assn Adoption
Committee
A review of the nuts and bolts of how to make independent
adoption work successfully as well as some of her experiences both personally
and professionally.
Bernie Michael Glintz, ACSW, BCD DAPA Private Practice, 20 years experience in Adoption Psychology and clinical intervention with adoption triad members, and pre and post adoption.
The seminar/presentation will address providing insight
into the minds and issues of adopted children, their conflicts, dynamics, unique
needs, and possible life outcomes. It
will provide an overview regarding perception, perspective, empathy and better
communication as well as an overall understanding of those that facilitate a
more harmonious and rewarding parent-child relationship.
Nancy Borders, LCSW Westside Associates for
Child Therapy, Adoptive Parent & LCSW in private practice specializing in
adopted children and families.
Nancy Borders, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and
parent of two grown children, a biological daughter and an adopted son, will
discuss the differences of adopted children and biological children and how
those differences effect the relationship of brothers and sisters.
Kathy Brodsky, MSW, CSW, LCSW Jewish
Child Care Association, Director of the Ametz Adoption Program, 17 years
experience field of Adoption, Adoptive Mom
This workshop for adults explores how to tell a child they
were adopted, what do they really understand and when. Explore these questions
and get practical advice on what to say, when to say it and to whom.
Patti Gross, CSW Jewish Child Care
Association, Homestudy Specialist, Adoptive Mom
This workshop prepares and enhances a family’s
understanding that adopting a child from another country creates a
“multicultural family” from this day forward throughout the generations. Learn
the issues and how to create and give a multicultural lifestyle.
Philippa Street, M.A. Executive Director of
Creative Adoptions, Masters in Psychology, 15 years experience in International
Adoption
This workshop will present a brief overview of the history
of international adoptions from Russia within the context of the present day
rules and regulations. It will explain
the laws and their implementation and how they impact the prospective adoptive
parent. The workshop will include an
overview of eligibility requirements for the adoptive families, a description
of the children available, travel requirements and a description of the overall
adoption process in Russia.
MaryAnn Curran, MA World Association for
Children & Parents (WACAP), Director of Social Services, 20 years
experience in the adoption field.
Learn about the children who need families, how to connect
with community support, access relevant support groups and information on
child’s heritage.
Barbara Holtan, MSW
The fact is that the newly placed child will experience
justifiable anger and grief and will direct this primarily at the mother.
Children can rarely talk out these feelings so act them out through negative or
destructive or "crazy making" behaviors. We will explore the reasons for this, discuss how to cope and
underline the important role the father plays in alleviating the stress on Mom.
James M. Greenberg, Esq. Greenberg &
Greenberg, Adoptee
Three adult adoptees will talk about their specific
experiences in their lives. Topics to
be discussed include knowing that you have biological siblings living in the
country in which she was born; growing up in an Italian, Jewish or Irish home;
non-acceptance by the birth community, searching for biological parents, and
the importance of giving your children role models that resemble themselves as
they grow up. The workshop will include
ideas that may help in raising your child.
Judith Ashton NYS Citizen's Coalition for
Children, Executive Director
A transracial adoptive parent discusses issues of family,
school, community, and anti-racist advocacy, and shares practical, supportive
suggestions. Attendees will also hear
from the experts—transracial adoptees—in a special video produced for adoptive
and prospective adoptive parents.
Kristine Leander, PhD World Association for
Children (WACAP), Director of Communication and Development
The journey abroad to pick up your child will be an
exciting adventure, filled with unpredictable experiences. This workshop will provide you with valuable
insights about what you may expect, a child’s perspective on the trip, as well
as practical travel tips.
Dee Paddock MA, MTS, NCC Families With A
Difference,
The diagnosis and treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder
in adopted children.
One of the ways available to adopt is via the foster care system. Whether you do foster-to-adopt or adopt a child who has been made legally free, this is an economical and rewarding solution. Stop by to hear more about this choice.
Caren Peet, CSW APC-LI, MSW
Many adoptive parents feel anxious about the
homestudy. This workshop will discuss
how to prepare for the home visit, and provide an overview of the types of
questions the homestudy preparer will ask.
International procedures will be covered.
Lori Kling, MSW, CSW Adoption Options,
Social Worker
A panel of “non-traditional” families who have
successfully adopted will discuss their paths to parenthood. Lori P. Kling, CSW will moderate this sure
to be inspiring and lively panel discussion.
Paul A. Platek, CFP Merrill Lynch, Certified
Financial Planner, Adoptive Father
Explore potential costs of adoption, both domestic and
international. Then discuss the best ways to save or borrow for these expenses
and the support provided by the government and employer programs.
Debbie Schwartz, Co-President APC-Hudson
Have you been out there trying but you feel stuck in the
process? This workshop will help you
look at why you are stuck and provide you a framework for moving forward.
Carol Wheat, Family Education Specialist,
Pederson-Krag's post-adoption program, member of the training department at
Little Flower Children's Services.
In their book, Adoption and the Family System,
Miriam Reitz and Kenneth W. Watson identify 7 key issues that families formed
by adoption have to deal with: Entitlement and claiming, Unmatched expectations,
Shifts in family systems, Separation, Loss and grief, Bonding and Attachment
and Identity formation. Over the course of 5 sessions, we will talk together
about how each one of these plays out in our own families. Separation,
loss and grief will be explored in session 3, with bonding and attachment
covered in the 4th session. We'll finish the series by talking about
identity formation. The handout material will be the same for all sessions, and
while the conversation will continue over the course of the 5 sessions, each is
designed to 'stand alone', so feel free to participate in any or all of them.
Maria del Consuelo Alonso, PA-C Winthrop
University Hospital International Adoption Program, Board Certified Physician
Assistant with over 5 years experience in international adoption moderates a
panel with members: Roy Horowitz, MD, Pediatrician, Paul J. Lee, MD,
Pediatrician in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Leonard Krilov, MD, Chief of
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
In this seminar, we will discuss both the common and
unusual pediatric issues that potential parents may have to face in their
internationally adopted child. We will start with a discussion of the commonly
encountered problems seen in internationally adopted children, such as
hepatitis, tuberculosis, parasitic infections and developmental issues.
Robin Fleischner, Esq. Law Office of Robin
A. Fleischner, Adoptive parent and attorney with offices in New York and New
Jersey, whose practice is limited to adoption; Member American Academy of
Adoption Attorneys, and New York and New Jersey Bar Associations
This workshop will provide practical and legal advice
about how to communicate with birth parents in writing, through speaking and by
meeting in person. Prospective adoptive
parents will have the tough questions answered, including whether to structure
the adoption as closed or open.
Aaron Britvan, Esq. Law Offices of Aaron
Britvan, Adoptive Parent, Adoption Attorney, APC Legal Advisor, Author
"Adoption in New York", Co-Chair of the Adoption Committee of the New
York State Bar Association, and member of the Boards of APC and the AIA
Adoption should be a warm and pure undertaking where new
families are created. Unfortunately,
too many individuals approach the process of adoption with lack of information
coupled with feelings of desperation and a need for instant gratification.
Vulnerability may lead to dealing with inappropriate services and sources that
view adoption as Big Business. This
workshop deals with these issues and with seek to guide you so as to avoid
emotional and financial disaster.
Joe Tartaglia Latin America Parents
Association New York (LAPA), President LAPA
This workshop will provide attendees with the information
that will help them decide if adopting from Latin America is right for them.
Nancy Borders, LCSW Westside Associates for
Child Therapy, Adoptive Parent & LCSW in private practice specializing in
adopted children and families.
Nancy Borders, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and
adoptive parent, will address school issues, including “to tell or not to
tell”, the family tree assignment, teacher sensitivity, and helping children
explain their adoption.
Dawn Smith-Pliner Friends in Adoption,
Founder - Director for 20 years of Friends in Adoption. Adoptive Mom
A panel of adoptive parents and birth parents that have
been involved in open adoption for four years.
Kathy Brodsky, MSW, CSW, LCSW Jewish
Child Care Association, Director of the Ametz Adoption Program, 17 years
experience field of Adoption & Adoptive Mom
A good place to start if you are thinking about
adopting. Learn what to consider in
making the decision to adopt, includes a domestic and international options,
working with attorney and agencies, costs, time frames, types of children,
medical and social backgrounds, homestudies and first steps.
Hon. Jon Cooper Suffolk Co. Legislator, Adoptive father
Adoptive parents have sometimes been at a loss about where
to turn for help. The speaker sponsored the legislation providing post-adoption
counseling services in Suffolk County. He will discuss the need for services,
what services are available and how to access them.
Joy Goldstein, CSW, ACSW, MSW and Michael S. Goldstein, Esq., Office
of Michael S. Goldstein Attorney at Law, members of APC-Hudson, Adoptive
Parents
Family and friends: help adoptive parents by locating a
child for them to adopt, and by becoming sensitive to the emotional roller
coaster on which they have been.
Pre-adoptive parents: learn how to talk about adoption with family and
friends, and how to teach them the networking approach to private adoptions.
Pamela Thomas President, Homeland Children's
Foundation, Inc. Nancy Reffsin,
LICSW, DCSW
Director, Homeland Children's Foundation
Children gradually process the facts surrounding their
adoption stories. We stress the
importance of sharing adoption information with children from the earliest age,
in a truthful, supportive, developmentally appropriate way. We offer suggestions and tools to help
parents begin the adoption talks and keep them going in a way that empowers
children and encourages their resilience.
Debbie Schwartz, Co-President APC-Hudson
Rituals are an important part of family and religious life
in every culture. Adoptive families are in the unique position of being able to
create rituals to celebrate adoption and share their adoption experience with
family and friends. Discussion includes rituals appropriate for welcoming
children, rituals used in transcultural families and rituals that grow with
children.
MaryAnn Curran, MA World Association for
Children & Parents (WACAP), WACAP Director of Social Services, 20 years
experience in the adoption field
Learn about ethical, reasonable adoptions from Russia,
what to expect regarding fees, services, procedures and travel to Russia.
Barbara Holtan, MSW
As transracial families, we were probably prepared for
some negative reactions but the 'positive' stereotyping of Asian children can
take us by surprise. Just because your
child has an Asian face, do teachers, neighbors, and relatives make assumptions
about her? Do these expectations put undue pressure on your child? The
discussion will alert you to the stereotyping that occurs about the "model
minority".
Ben Mankita, CSW Child/family therapist, Adoptive Parent, Former President APC-LI
The general rules for effectively teaching your child self-control and
discipline will be discussed. Strategies for children of every age range, and
how to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect and caring will be developed.
Such topics as "consequences, not punishments"; how to say
"no" in a firm, yet caring manner; controlling parental
over-reactions; and understanding what "no" really means; guilt
(Jewish, Italian, etc.); and whatever topics you bring up will be examined.
Dee Paddock MA, MTS, NCC Families With A
Difference,
A survival workshop for stressful times.
Rita Taddonio, MSW, CSW Spence-Chapin
Services, Director, SPARK Program Spence Chapin
The speaker specializes in serving the post adoption needs of families regarding developmental delays and concerns, evaluation, behavioral problems, parenting and school issues.
Joni Mantell, CSW and Lisa Schuman, CSW, Adoption Counselors, Adoption Cooperative Consultants, AIA support group leaders, Private Practices in NYC and NJ, Adoptive Parents.
From placing the ad until placement, the potential
adoptive parent is anxious about what is being conveyed to the
birthmother. Issues about being
selected may include: anxiety about disclosing personal information; balancing
the desire to be authentic with the need
to be desirable to the birth mother; handling conflicts between being
supportive and likeable, with getting information and setting necessary
boundaries in the relationship.
Ronnie & Lester Steinberg APC-LI, Past
Presidents APC-LI, APC Board of Governors, adoptive parents
A panel of parents with teenagers discusses issues that
have arisen in their families as well as how these issues relate to adoption
and how family members have dealt with them.
Chana Leah Mesberg, Esq. APC-Hudson,
17 years experience as an adoption attorney, AAAA Member, NYS Bar Assn Adoption
Committee
A review of situations from this lawyer’s case files to
give to adoptive parents who are beginning the advertising and networking
process and who are beginning to speak with the birth parents. She will address the “red flags” that might
suggest an underlying problem for which adoptive parents must stay alert. Also those issues and information that
simply might scare or confuse or concern them without being actual “red flags”
are also discussed.
Ellen Murphy Hackett, CSW APC-LI,
MSW
This workshop will be an overview of the homestudy process
- both domestic and international and private vs. agency. Types of information
sought in the homestudy process will be discussed.
Richard J. Gibson, MSW Children's Home
Society of Minnesota, MSW
Children adopted from overseas arrive in the U.S. having
already collected a lifetime’s worth of life experiences. From sleep issues to cross cultural matters,
With Eyes Wide Open can help guide parents towards a better understanding of
their internationally adopted child’s needs thus easing the initial transition
and long-term development.
Herbert Pitkowski, Esq.
An overview of what a will is, and the practical choices
that should be made when any parent or prospective parent does a will, such as
choosing an executor, guardian and trustee.
Leanne Jaffe, Adapting to Adoption
Identity formation for adopted persons requires
psychological incorporation of two or more families into a whole self. This
workshop will explore the tasks of this process and how adoptive families can
ease the complexity of the experience for the adopted person, covering
developmental stages.
Carol Wheat, Family Education Specialist,
Pederson-Krag's post-adoption program, member of the training department at
Little Flower Children's Services.
In their book, Adoption and the Family System,
Miriam Reitz and Kenneth W. Watson identify 7 key issues that families formed
by adoption have to deal with: Entitlement and claiming, Unmatched
expectations, Shifts in family systems, Separation, Loss and grief, Bonding and
Attachment and Identity formation. Over the course of 5 sessions, we will talk
together about how each one of these plays out in our own families. Bonding
and attachment will be covered in the 4th session. We'll finish the
series by talking about identity formation. The handout material will be the
same for all sessions, and while the conversation will continue over the course
of the 5 sessions, each is designed to 'stand alone', so feel free to
participate in any or all of them.
Chana Leah Mesberg, Esq. APC-Hudson, 17
years experience as an adoption attorney, AAAA Member, NYS Bar Assn Adoption
Committee
This session will inform prospective adoptive parents
about the rules and regulations of that "dreaded" entity, the
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) and the "ins"
and "outs" of dealing with out-of-state placements.
James Miskowski, Esq. MacFall, Reidl, &
Miskowski, Adoption Attorney, Adoptive Parent
This workshop will discuss revocations of consent by the
birthparents and address the role of the putative father in adoption plans.
Mary Mooney, MSW
Now that you have decided to find an agency for domestic
or international adoption what you should do to ensure success. How and where
to investigate, red flags, fraud, etc. you should be aware of before signing on
the bottom line.
Helen Adrienne, Practitioner of Mind-body
medicine and hypnotherapist
This is an experiential workshop that will allow the
participants to experience and learn various relaxation techniques at this
trying time.
Dawn Smith-Pliner Friends in Adoption,
Founder - Director for 20 years of Friends in Adoption. Adoptive Mom
How to network; how to write an effective profile; how to
communicate with potential birthparents; how to feel safe and stay healthy and
sane while you wait for your baby to find its way home.
Joni Mantell, MSW Adoption Network
Consultants, Infertility and Adoption Counselor, Adoption Cooperative
Consultant, AIA support group leader, Private Practice in NYC and NJ, Adoptive
Parent
How do you know you are ready to adopt? What do you do if
you are ready and your partner is reluctant?
Learn how to assess your readiness to move forward and how to take the
first steps of building a family through adoption once you are ready.
Judith Ashton NYS Citizen's
Coalition for Children, Executive Director
The speaker will review the NYS Citizen's Coalition for
Children's legislative agenda and share with participants information on
recently enacted legislation affecting
foster care and adoption in NYS and nationally.
Dina Rosenfeld, DSW Jewish Child Care
Association, DSW AMETZ Adoption Program, Community Educator, 20 Years
experience in the Adoption field
Learn how to share information with others, including when
and what to tell, what others do with the information you give them and how to
protect your child from what others know.
Bernice Hauser, 92nd Street Y
Talking with your child about adoption: How, What, Why, do
you tell your child about his story and how do you add details to his story as
he develops.
Kala Lilani, MSW Adoptions from the Heart,
Family Therapist, MSW
If you are a parent who has adopted a child of another
race or culture, you may face some unique issues as your child grows up. This
class will help you understand why teaching your child about his or her race
and culture are important to your development.
Pam and Cary Klivan APC-LI, Adoptive Parent
Russia, Bridge of Hope Regional Coordinator
A panel of parents with varied experiences in adopting
their children from Russia, will share their stories. The workshop will be an
open forum guided by your concerns.
Karen Roser, Psy.D, Adoptive Mother, Child psychologist
Designed for the post- adoptive parents, this workshop
will help you sort out what are and are not adoption-related issues for you and
your child, and when and how to broach them.
Richard Fennema, President APC-LI
A panel of adoptive fathers shares their concerns,
thoughts and child-rearing experiences.
Visible/invisible adoptive families, international adoption, and blended
family issues will be addressed.
Faye Caperna DowneySide Services for Youth,
Regional Director and Nancy Cardello DowneySide
Families for Youth, Bay Shore Director
This workshop will take prospective parents of older
children through the journey of the magic and discoveries involved in adopting
older children
Steven Sarisohn, Esq. Sarisohn, Sarisohn,
Carner, LeBow, Braun & Shiebler, JD Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Head
of the Adoption Dept, General Practice Firm, Former Suffolk County Assistant
District Attorney
Just like the proverbial Boy Scout, the adoptive couple
must BE PREPARED for any eventuality.
This workshop will emphasize the importance of making emotional, legal,
and other preparations in advance of each
stage of the adoption process. Topics include: certification; dealing with the
birth mother; and financial and medical considerations.
Susan Kupferberg, MSW, CSW Jewish Child Care
Association, 27 years in the field of child welfare and adoption. Social Work
Coordinator of the Ametz Adoption Program of
Jewish Child Care Assoc.
An exploration of the homestudy process, its purpose,
differences in domestic and international reports, agency versus private
preparation and how to choose a social worker.
Presented in a user-friendly and interactive atmosphere. Questions
encouraged.
Andrea Troy, CSW
Air your fears, fantasies, and feelings. Participants can raise issues and concerns
about becoming a single parent.
Paul A. Platek, CFP Merrill Lynch, Certified
Financial Planner, Adoptive Father
Discuss the escalating cost of college education and the
best ways to save towards this expense.
Also, explore the best ways to take advantage of government programs and
financial aid issues.
Carol Wheat, Family Education Specialist,
Pederson-Krag's post-adoption program, member of the training department at
Little Flower Children's Services.
In their book, Adoption and the Family System, Miriam Reitz and Kenneth W. Watson identify 7 key issues that families formed by adoption have to deal with: Entitlement and claiming, Unmatched expectations, Shifts in family systems, Separation, Loss and grief, Bonding and Attachment and Identity formation. Over the course of 5 sessions, we will talk together about how each one of these plays out in our own families. The last session of the day we'll finish the series by talking about identity formation. The handout material will be the same for all sessions, and while the conversation will continue over the course of the 5 sessions, each is designed to 'stand alone', so feel free to participate in any or all of them.