Models for understanding how patterns of attachment in infants and preschool children shape later behavior. Ways to use developmental assessments in permanency work. Richard Kagan
Establish parental leadership by taking control in high morale-building ways. The importance of reciprocity in family relationships. Deborah Hage
An overview of current adoption-related research and significant findings to improve adoption practice and understanding. Rosemary Avery, Moderator, Cornell University
What are the issues and concerns? Understanding the needs and providing individualized support to birth children. Maris Blechner, Family Focus Adoption Services
A discussion of the long-awaited CWLA adoption standards and how they can be applied to improve adoption service. Ann Sullivan, Child Welfare League of America
Tools to repair fragile or disrupted attachment, change patterns of destructive behavior, and rebuild hope. Richard Kagan
Concrete suggestions for channeling that negative energy into positive directions. Options to parental anger. Deborah Hage
How are NYS's children doing? The impact of the Governor's budget on vulnerable children. Implications for adoption and foster care. Donna Lawrence, Children's Defense Fund-NY
Learn how to use written contracts for children and adoptive parents which spell out their respective promises and mark the time when adoption truly happens. Jack Brennan, Family Focus Adoption Services
The new Adoption Album and Family Registry and their potential to speed adoptions and improve services to waiting children and families. NYS's waiting children on the internet. Anne Furman & Stephanie Woodward, NYS Office of Children & Family Services
A technique to help children develop their own autobiographies to build self esteem and overcome difficult experiences in their lives. Richard Kagan
Parenting techniques that reinforce attachment and enhance children's bonds to their parents. Deborah Hage
An update on the Model Court Projects and an introduction to the newest initiative, "Healthy Development of Foster Children." Sheryl Dicker, Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children; Moira Szylagyi, MD Foster Care Pediatrics
What we know about open adoption from research and practice and the special issues involved in open adoptions of foster children. Madelyn Freundlich, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Effective strategies for recruiting families for today's waiting children. Jacquelyn Bailey Kidd, National Center on Permanency for African American Children
Ways to assure a permanent family connection for every adolescent. Adolescents are adoptable! Robert Lewis
The latest on the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act and amend-ments. Policy and practice issues. Jacquelyn Bailey Kidd, National Center on Permanency for African American Children
Ways to understand and work with the easily frustrated, chronically inflexible, extremely difficult child. Elin Cormican
Creative, do-able approaches that are necessary responses to the needs of children and families after adoption. Lauren Frey, Children's Services of Roxbury, Massachusetts
Explore "hard" questions in special needs adoption, including sibling placement issues, parent selection, subsidy, post adoption supports. Madelyn Freundlich, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Understanding adolescent development, the adoption difference, survival behaviors, and positive steps. Robert Lewis
Fulfilling the promise of the Adoption and Safe Families Act. How are we doing? Legal issues and answers. Margaret Burt
A look at the services and advocacy activities of a sample of successful NYS adoptive and foster parent groups and associations. Panel
The stages of moral development. Strategies to foster it and build character and inner strength in children and youth. Diana Davis, Center for the Development of Human Services
Adoptees discuss issues of foster care and adoption and their first-hand experiences. Panel
An adoptee's experience of being found by birth parents rather than searching for them; grappling with multiple families. Sarah Saffian, Author, Ithaka: A Daughter's Memoir of Being Found
Fulfilling the promise of the Adoption and Safe Families Act. How are we doing? Legal issues and answers. (Continuation of Workshop #22) Margaret Burt
Specially-trained parent group leaders discuss issues of transracial adoption, training techniques, and resources for adoptive and foster families. Panel
Providing foster parent advocates and ongoing support services for foster families to achieve the goal of only one placement for every foster child. Madhu Kapoor, Moderator, St. Christopher's, Inc.
New perspectives on managing stress and gaining new skills to survive, keep moving forward, and not burn out. Maris Blechner, Family Focus Adoption Services
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