ADOPTIVE PARENTS COMMITTEE MINI CONFERENCE

9:00 -9:30: Welcome

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20, 2022

9:30-10:30am

SUCCESSFUL DOMESTIC ADOPTIONS: AGENCY OR INDEPENDENT PLACEMENT – WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Michael S. Goldstein, Esq., Joy Goldstein, LCSW, ACSW, Executive Director of Forever Families Through Adoption , Brian Esser, Esq, Zachary Fried, Executive Director, Adoption STAR

Come and learn about successful domestic adoptions and the differences between agency and independent adoptions.

DOMESTIC ADOPTION HOMESTUDIES IN NEW YORK

Kathy Brodsky, LCSW

What is the social worker really looking for? How many interviews are there and with whom? Get an in-depth overview of the home study process and learn how to take the anxiety out of the experience.

MEDICAL ISSUES IN DOMESTIC ADOPTION

Melissa Jill Goldstein, MD, Carnegie Hill Pediatrics

This workshop will focus on issues relating to some of the medical risks prospective parents may encounter when matching with an expectant mother. We will explore drug exposure, infections, chronic medical conditions, and social characteristics. Being aware of the risk factors will help you be more prepared when making decisions about the kinds of issues a child may have as they grow.

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION 101

Susan Orban, Outreach Coordinator, The Adoption Programs of Children's Home & Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota

Each year thousands of children join their family through international adoption from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Who are the children? What are their needs? What countries are currently placing? What is the process? When you leave this workshop you will know the answers to these questions. This workshop will lay a foundation for someone new to adoption or help the initiated learn about countries now placing children

11-12pm

UNDERSTANDING THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS OF IN UTERO SUBSTANCE EXPOSURE

Stephanie Rolin MD MPH, Columbia University | Alicia Rolin MD ScM, University of Michigan

Prenatal exposure to substances can have short-term and long-term effects on cognitive, behavioral, social and emotional development. In this workshop, you will learn about the potential development effects of in utero substance exposure. Understanding the possible short- and long-term effects of these exposures in terms of health, development and behavior can help guide and prepare families.

A COMPARISON OF FOSTER ADOPTION AND PRIVATE ADOPTION: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Lisa Peck Goldberg, Esq.

Can you simultaneously pursue foster adoption and private adoption? Can you use the same home study for both? Are the financial considerations the same? Do you need an attorney or an agency to guide you? How are these different types of adoption similar and different? This workshop will educate you on the similarities and differences of public and private adoption.

SURROGACY AND DONATION: ARE YOU READY TO SWITCH?

Robin Fleischner, Esq

Are you ready for surrogacy, egg, sperm, or embryo donation? Explore these increasingly popular and effective paths to parenthood.

INTERNATIONAL AGENCY PANEL

A panel of international adoption agency professionals will discuss the available options in international adoption.Which countries are open, what kind of programs are available and issues to consider with each of these choices.

12:30-1:30pm

ADOPTION ADVERTISING FOR THE BUDGET & TIME CONSCIOUS FAMILY

Ben Santiardo, Founder of Tekk Adoptions

This workshop will explore everything you need to know about adoption advertising on the web. We will talk about the differences between digital and print advertising. We will discuss Facebook and its pitfalls, using a profile vs. using a website. We will also cover the average budget for advertising and what you need to know about online security.

ADOPTING AS A SINGLE PARENT

Michael S. Goldstein, Esq.

Single people can adopt! In this workshop, we will explore what to expect when going through the adoption process, how to plan for adoption as a single parent, and things to consider when your child joins your family, such as building a support network and navigating work and childcare.

HOW TO IDENTIFY RED FLAGS AND OTHER PITFALLS ON THE ROAD TO ADOPTION

Jeanine Castagna, Esq.

A review of situations from an attorney’s case files for adoptive parents who are beginning advertising and networking and who are beginning to speak with birthparents. We will address the red flags that might suggest an underlying problem for which adoptive parents must stay alert. Issues and information that simply might scare, confuse, or concern adoptive parents without being actual “red flags” will also be discussed.

EXPLORING TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION: THE SHIFT FROM COLOR BLIND TO COLOR CONSCIOUS

Michele Fried, Founder, Adoption STAR | Zachary Fried, Executive Director, Adoption STAR

This workshop will explore the recent recommendations by leading child welfare advocates to revise federal laws dealing with transracial adoptions. With concerns that the needs of black children are not met by a “color blind” approach to placement, adoption advocates are recommending that race should be considered in selecting adoptive families and that race-oriented pre-adoption training be a necessity in transracial adoption. We will focus on assessing family’s needs when adopting transracially and methods to assist in developing cultural competence and awareness of “color consciousness” in raising their child.

2:00-3:00pm

NY DOMESTIC ADOPTION: AGENCY VS. INDEPENDENT

Denise Seidelman, Esq., Mia Diamond-Padwa, LCSW Director, Adoption & Children’s Services, Family Services of Westchester

We will discuss the differences between the two types of adoption processes; what is involved in each and how to choose which one is right for you.

4B POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH BIRTH PARENTS PRE AND POST PLACEMENT

Joy Goldstein, LCSW, ACSW, Executive Director of Forever Families Through Adoption

This workshop will explore how to locate and deal effectively with birth parents on the telephone, and how to best handle the anxieties common to all contacts between adoptive and birth families. Role plays will be included to help you get comfortable and there will be time for questions and answers.

IS IT JUST ADHD? UNDERSTANDING YOUR ADOPTED CHILD’S BEHAVIOR

Elaine Schulte, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the Adoption Program, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

We all want our kids to be successful and happy at home, in school and with friends and family. Whether you adopt an infant, toddler, preschooler or older child, it’s important to observe and be aware of their behavior. In this interactive discussion, Dr. Schulte will help parents to identify what are developmental issues in childhood and when you may need to seek professional help. Areas covered will include attachment, PTSD, and attention and learning challenges

CREATING ADOPTION PROFILES: ADVICE FROM AN ATTORNEY

Rebecca Mendell, Esq. | Kerry Mulvihill, Esq.

Your profile book/website is often the first way an expectant parent can learn about you. Showing who you are through your profile is very important. This session will focus on adoption profile books (hard copy and internet sites) and will include topics such as content and proper terminology.

3:30-4:30pm

TEEN PANEL

Your child will grow into a teen and then an adult adoptee in an environment shaped by you and those around you. How will they turn out? What adoption issues might they experience emotionally while growing up? How will the world react to their having been adopted? What role might adoption play in their life choices? You can learn a lot by listening to the stories of teen adoptees and asking key questions.

OPEN ADOPTION 101

Denise Seidelman, Esq. | Mia Diamond-Padwa, LCSW Director, Adoption & Children’s Services, Family Services of Westchester

Open adoption can be a wonderful option for all members of the adoption triad, but it can be difficult to understand and sometimes scary. Come join us as we explore the different degrees of openness and discuss the process of creating an open adoption plan. Learn about maintaining connections with your child’s birth family and making openness a part of your everyday life. Bring your questions so you can become more comfortable with this process!

THE JOURNEY TO PARENTHOOD: ISSUES FOR LGBTQ FAMILIES

Brian Esser, Esq.

If you’re LGBTQ and considering parenthood, you probably have lots of questions to get answered before moving forward. How can you identify agencies and other providers that are LGBTQ affirming? How do you balance seeking emotional support and maintaining privacy? What are the important legal aspects of private adoption? Join us to learn more about the emotional, legal and logistical questions to be explored on the road to parenthood.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN PRIVATE PLACEMENT INTERSTATE ADOPTION

Rebecca Mendell, Esq. | This workshop will explore networking strategies, conversations with expectant parents, what to expect in terms of medical/social history and records. We will provide a detailed look at the ICPC process which stands for Interstate Compact of the Placement of Children. Bring your questions!

4:45-6:00 Closing/Question and Answer Session

Brian Esser, Esq., Leslie Zindulka, LCSW

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