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Workshop Period 1 •
10:30-12:00 Noon
1. Family to Family: Tools for Rebuilding Foster Care
The designer of “Family to Family,” one of the most important initiatives in foster care, speaks about goals, strategies, outcomes, and lessons learned. John Mattingly, New York City Administration for Children’s Services
2. The Power of Sibling Connection
The challenges faced by siblings who are separated in foster care and adoption and the need to honor their relationships. Illustrated by personal stories, literature, and law. Lynn Price, Camp to Belong
3. Concurrent Planning: Implementation in NYS
An assessment of concurrent planning in NYS. How parents, caseworkers, and foster parents are affected, and recommendations for best practice. Sarah Gerstenzang, Children’s Rights, Inc.
4. Whom Do You Trust? Attachment in Adoptive Families
A discussion of attachment as issues of trust and mistrust. The importance of parent/professional collaborations to develop strategies for building trusting relationships. Linda Grillo and Lori Santana, Adoptive Families Together
5. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and How We Can Help
An OASAS specialist and an adoptive parent discuss the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral issues of FASD and successful interventions. Margo Singer and Dianne O’Connor, NYS Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services
• Workshop Period 2
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1:45-3:15 p.m.
6. Listening to Parents: A “Customer Satisfaction Survey”
Hear the results of the largest study ever conducted of parents adopting from foster care. How the process works, where it is frustrating, and how to make it work better. Jeff Katz, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
7. Transracial Adoptees: Three Layers of Identity
Understanding the unique experiences of transracial adoptees and which layers of identity–cultural, racial, adoptive–are most important, when, and why. Amanda Baden, Montclair State University
8. You Can’t Control the Wind, But You Can Adjust the Sail!
How to identify, monitor, and manage levels of stress. Some strategies to help you be more effective at home and at work. Barry Chaffkin, Harlem Dowling-West Side Center for Children and Family Services
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9. Obtaining Services for Children with Special Needs
A health law attorney discusses how to work with and obtain services from state agencies for mentally ill, mentally retarded, or developmentally disabled children. Joan Siegel, NYC Administration for Children’s Services
10. Permanent Homes for Teens: The Saving F.A.C.E. Approach,
Part I
How to find unconditionally committed permanent parent(s) for every teen using this three-pronged recruitment approach: Friends, Acquaintances, and Community Education. Pat O’Brien, You Gotta Believe!
•Workshop Period 3
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3:35-5:05 p.m.
11. Life Changes in Adoptive Families
Adoptive families, like all families, confront changes through the years–death of loved ones, moves, new schools, divorce. How can adoptive parents prepare to help their children? Maris Blechner, Family Focus Adoption Services
12. The Truth about Teamwork
Foster parents and agency program managers discuss barriers and solutions to developing honest and effective foster parent/caseworker relationships. Susan Collins, NYS Citizens’ Coalition for Children, Moderator
13. The 3-5-7 Model: Preparing Children for Permanency
How to help foster children clarify who they are, what happened to them, where they are going, and how they will belong in their permanent family. Darla Henry, Family Design Resources, Inc.
14. Kaleidoscope Eyes: Viewing Behavior through a Different Lens
Shifting the focus from children’s behavior to the feelings and causes of the behavior to establish healthy relationships and better communication. Linda Grillo and Lori Santana, Adoptive Families Together
15. Permanent Homes for Teens: The Saving F.A.C.E. Approach
Part II
Continuation of Workshop #10. See description above. Pat O’Brien, You Gotta Believe!
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