Would you like to build your knowledge with tools, tips and strategies to help you in your adoption and parenting journey?
Adoption Matters' Online Education Series is an exciting, new way of learning more about adoption and permanency journeys and how best to support children, youth, adults and families on them.
Prospective and adoptive families and the professionals who work with them
New FASD with Judy Archer, MSW, RSW
*This is an introductory session for people who are just learning about FASD.
Our new webinar on prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs with Judy Archer, Adoption Counsellor and Consultant, will provide a comprehensive introduction to information about prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs that is critical for adoptive parents to consider when parenting or planning to parent a child by adoption.
Goals: Raise awareness about the lifelong impact of FASD as well as tools, strategies and resources for optimizing the child’s adaptive functioning.
Objectives: By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
Put FASD into context by explaining the extent of alcohol consumption in Canada
Pinpoint contributors to and symptoms of FASD: primary and secondary
Summarize the new diagnostic guidelines for FASD
Explain lifelong implications and realities of living with a brain-based disability
List strengths of children with FASD
Describe contributors to adaptive functioning in children with FASD
Identify formal and informal supports available to parents of children with a history of prenatal exposure to FASD
Transitional Planning - Contributing to Successful Adoptions and Permanency
Prospective and adoptive families, foster parents and the professionals who work with them
Transitional Planning with Judy Archer, MSW, RSW
For all parties to the adoption process—the child, the birth parents, the prospective caregivers, and the foster parents—particularly if they have been caring for the child for any length of time, adoption and permanency planning are profound, life-altering events. In this webinar, you will not only learn the goal and objectives for pre-placement visits, but concrete tools and strategies to facilitate the child’s successful transition to his/her new family.
Goal: To raise awareness about the rationale for and elements of a transitional plan when moving children from one family to another.
Objectives: By the end of this webcast, participants will:
Gain insight into the impact of separation, loss and transitional planning on children-in-care
Learn the 9-principles of practice that guide transitional planning
Identify the 7-goals of pre-placement visits
Discuss as many as 16 strategies, tools and techniques to facilitate a child’s successful transition
Identify resources that can be accessed to heighten their understanding about transitional planning and the pre-placement process even further
Discuss the value of being well-informed about transitional planning and the pre-placement process
Tasks to be Mastered to Facilitate Healing from a History of Grief, Loss and Trauma Two Part
Upon placement, children face two daunting emotional issues: forming an attachment to new caregivers while simultaneously grieving separation, loss and more often than not, reactivation of any trauma from the past. In this webinar, prospective caregivers, adoptive parents, foster parents and the professionals who work work with them will gain important knowledge, skills and insights about the indicators of healing in the child post-placement and what they can do in their respective roles and relationships pre and post-placement to facilitate the healing process.
Goals: To gain knowledge, skills and insights needed to facilitate a child’s healing from grief, loss and trauma
Objectives: By the end of the webinar participants will be able to...
Describe the grieving process including the nature, stages and symptoms of grief
Identify at least 3 child-specific factors that will influence a child’s reactions to grief and loss
Explain at least 5 contributors to unresolved grief and loss in the child post-placement
Delineate the 6 variables that set the grieving process for the child-in-care and the child who joins a family through adoption and permanency planning apart from other types of loss
Outline the 9 Principles of Practice for parenting or working with the grieving child
Define trauma and provide at least 3 examples of the types of traumatic experiences that are common to many children-in-care
Elucidate 4 indicators of healing from a history of grief, loss and trauma with explanations of the specific tools, resources and strategies that can be used in their respective roles and relationships with a child to facilitate the child’s mastery of each interrelated task
Demonstrate knowledge of specific resources relevant to working with children pre- and post-placement
Outline the 9 Principles of Practice for parenting or working with the grieving child
Define trauma and provide at least 3 examples of the types of traumatic experiences that are common to many children-in-care
Elucidate 4 indicators of healing from a history of grief, loss and trauma with explanations of the specific tools, resources and strategies that can be used in their respective roles and relationships with a child to facilitate the child’s mastery of each interrelated task
Demonstrate knowledge of specific resources relevant to working with children pre- and post-placement
ACEs, the Brain & Developmental Trauma Part 1: The Science
*When you register for this webinar you are registering for all three in the series
ACEs, the Brain & Developmental Trauma Part 1: The Science with Kathy Soden & Sylvia Gibbons, Adoption Council of Ontario PACT Team & DTAA Members
Intended audience: pre-adoptive families, adoptive, kinship and customary care families, adult adoptees and the professionals who support those on adoption and permanency journeys
Objectives:
provide an overview of:
the Adverse Childhood Experiences study and its findings,
the brain science related to childhood trauma and adversity, and
what developmental trauma is all about
explain why it's important to understand these topics through the lens of adoption and permanency journeys
introduce a discussion about the prevention and healing of developmental trauma which will be expanded upon in Part 2
discuss the brain's resilience and opportunities for strengthening neural pathways
introduce Ontario's Developmental Trauma Action Alliance and its goals
provide relevant resources and further learning opportunities
ACEs, the Brain & Developmental Trauma Part 2: Healing Through Adoption & Permanency Journeys
ACEs, the Brain & Developmental Trauma Part 2: Healing Through Adoption and Permanency Journeys with Kathy Soden & Sylvia Gibbons, Adoption Council of Ontario PACT Team & DTAA Members
Intended audience: pre-adoptive families, adoptive, kinship and customary care families, adult adoptees and the professionals who support those on adoption and permanency journeys
Objectives:
focus on the understanding of developmental trauma through the lens and core issues of adoption and permanency journeys
emphasize the importance of truly understanding children, youth and adults and their "internal working models", so that parenting, child welfare work and therapeutic interventions can be set up for success
expand on the introductory discussion of prevention and healing from part 1 and address what can help children, youth and adults who have been impacted by developmental trauma from the perspective of:
pre-adoptive families
adoptive, kinship & customary care families
adult adoptees
professionals
address the importance of understanding developmental trauma and the lens of adoption by all of the systems (child welfare, education, health - physical and mental, family law, justice, etc) that work with people and families on adoption and permanency journeys
provide relevant resources and further learning opportunities
ACEs, the Brain & Developmental Trauma Part 3: Being a Healing Parent: Tips & Strategies
ACEs, the Brain & Developmental Trauma Part 3: Being a Healing Parent: Tips & Strategies with Kathy Soden & Sylvia Gibbons, Adoption Council of Ontario PACT Team & DTAA Members
Intended audience: pre-adoptive families, adoptive, kinship and customary care families, adult adoptees and the professionals who support those on adoption and permanency journeys
Anyone on an adoption & permanency journey and their family or friends who are along for that journey as well
Adoption & Your Extended Family with Sylvia Gibbons and Cindy Stewart
A presentation for your extended family members about adoption & permanency and how they can support you. More info coming soon.
New! The Importance of Permanency for our Children & Youth
Dates:
Available On-Demand - please see below
The Importance of Permanency for our Children & Youth with Sylvia Gibbons & Aviva Zukerman Schure
Recommended audience: all audiences welcome
Goals: During this 90-minute webinar, we will explore the critical importance of lasting permanency to our children and youth. This webinar begins by providing an understanding of what permanency means and what permanency journeys are all about. It explores the outcomes for youth that "age out" of the child welfare system without finding lasting permanency. We then discuss the differences between surviving and thriving. The second part of the webinar focusses on what adoption and permanency can offer to children and youth and what permanency families and "humans" look like. Throughout the webinar we incorporate the perspectives of children and youth on permanency journeys and feature their thoughts, voices and art about permanency and adoption. Finally, the webinar provides information on next steps for those who are interested in becoming a family/human for children and youth, as well as for professionals who want to learn more about permanency and adoption journeys and how to work with all those on them.
Note: This webinar serves as Part 1 of the Never Too Late program's Orientation for prospective families/humans.
Objectives:
Learn about and understand what "permanency" means
Gain a better understand of what permanency journeys are all about from a youth's perspective
Learn about the outcomes for youth "aging out" of the foster care system without permanency
Explore the differences between surviving vs thriving in life & why permanency is critically important
Learn what permanency can offer to children and youth
Explore what permanency families and "humans" look like
Listen and reflect on kids/youth thoughts and perspectives – what permanency means and feels like to them
Learn how to find out more about being a family/human for kids who need lasting permanency
For professionals, learn how to find out more about permanency and adoption journeys and how to work with those on them
New! Internet & Social Media Considerations for Adoptive Families
Dates:
Available On-Demand - see below
Internet Safety & Adoption with Cindy Stewart, Child & Youth Worker & ACO PACT Trainer
Recommended audience: adoptive, kinship, customary care families
Goals: This Webinar will provide an overview about social media, how kids use it and some of the effects of it on our children. It will also discuss how parents can help their families navigate social media, including during these times of physical distancing. It will outline some of the risk factors involved and why our kids might be vulnerable to some of these risks. It will explain some of the platforms used and what parents need to be aware of. Suggestions for parents on how to teach your children about platforms and using devises and apps safely will also be discussed.
Objectives:
Understand what social media is, how kids use it and its impact on our children and teens
Be aware of some of the risks involved and why our kids and teens might be vulnerable to some of these risks
Gain knowledge of Social media platforms
Understand how to help our children navigate social media, including during this time of physical distancing
Know where to find up-to date information to increase your knowledge
Older Child Adoption: Journey Into The Unknown
Dates:
Available On-Demand - please see below
Recommended Audience:
Prospective and adoptive families and the professionals who work with them
Older Child Adoption: Parent Centred/Child Focused Adoption with Elaine Ash, MSW, RSW, mental health therapist, and her adult daughter, Ashley, who was placed with Elaine six years prior.
Elaine and Ashley provide candid yet heartwarming insights into the unique challenges, feelings, beliefs and corresponding needs of older children who join their families by adoption. The focus of this webcast is on the initial stages of placement. Not only do they discuss “gentle tools”, strategies and resources that can be used to facilitate a child’s adjustment and successful integration into a new family unit, but they highlight what parents can do for themselves and other family members (i.e., previously adopted children) when embarking on the lifelong journey to becoming a permanent family.
Goal: To raise awareness about the common adjustments and corresponding needs of the older child and adoptive family members in the aftermath of an adoption placement/post-placement
Objectives: By the end of this webcast, participants will be able to do the following:
Define “older child”
Enumerate qualities needed to assume a parent-centred/child-focused approach to adoption
Identify the common feelings, challenges, beliefs and needs of older children who join their families through adoption and permanency planning
Provide examples of common challenges, feelings and needs of adoptive parents and previously adopted children post-placement
Outline the primary role and responsibilities of adoptive and permanency planning parents post-placement
List gentle tools, strategies and resources that can be used to enhance the adjustment of the child to be adopted and other family members post-placement
Discuss the importance of being well-informed about the topic, parent-centered/child-focused approach to parenting a child by adoption, pre- and/or post-placement
Prospective and adoptive families, foster families and the professionals who work with them
Openness in Adoption with Pat Convery, RSW
Goal: To give an overview of Openness in Adoption from the perspective of benefits and challenges for all members of the family – birth family member, adopted child and adoptive parents. Additionally, to provide some tools and strategies for professionals and families to consider in making initial openness plans and navigating through challenges.
Objectives:
Discuss the importance of being well-informed about openness in adoption, pre and/or post-placement
Review the benefits and challenges of maintaining birth family connections after adoption
Provide an understanding of basic principles and elements to consider in making decisions about the level of openness that will be appropriate for a family
Give concrete tips and strategies to help in making openness plans before placement and navigating challenges that arise along the way
Parenting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
Dates:
Available On-Demand - please see below.
Recommended Audience:
Prospective and adoptive families, foster families and the professionals who work with them
Parenting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma with Karen Moore, MA, ECE, RSW
Karen provides an introduction to trauma and its impact on child and adult development, using an adoption-specific lens. Whether you are a prospective adoptive parents, an adoptive and permanency planning caregiver, or a professional, you will learn why it is critically important to learn as much as you can about this important topic, regardless of the child’s age at placement.
Goal: To raise awareness about the impact of trauma on child development and adult development, and the corresponding needs of infants and children who join their families by adoption and permanency planning.
Objectives: By the end of this webcast, participants will:
Explain the meaning of “trauma” and what it means from an adoption or permanency planning perspective
Describe at least three symptoms or long-term emotional “reactions” that may be indicative of a trauma history
Identify the impact of trauma on child and adult development
Explain the correlation between loss and trauma
Provide examples of trauma experienced by waiting children and children who have joined their families by adoption
Identify examples of knowledge and skills needed by adoptive and permanency planning parents to successfully parent a child by adoption and permanency planning
Explain how “relationship-based parenting” and “therapeutic parenting” contribute to healing for a child with a history of trauma
List resources that can be accessed to heighten one’s understanding about trauma and adoption
Discuss the importance of being well-informed about the topic, parenting children with a history of trauma, pre and/or post-placement
Summary: You're invited to a panel discussion with four of our PACT trainers on the joys and challenges of parenting teens on adoption and permanency journeys. We will also cover some of the additional considerations involved in parenting teens during this time of COVID 19 and physical distancing.
Developmental Trauma & COVID-19: A Virtual DTAA Panel Discussion
Original date: May 13th, 2020
Speakers: Leticia Gracia, Dr. Charlie Menendez, Susan O’Quinn & Sylvia Gibbons
Summary: Please join a DTAA panel for a live discussion about developmental trauma and COVID-19. Together we'd like to explore and learn more about the impact of COVID-19 on people with developmental trauma, talk about what can help and provide some helpful tips and resources.
Please use a laptop or desktop computer with an internet speed of at least 10mbps.Use of iPads, tablets, and mobile phones is not recommended as some media may not be supported.
Perform anAdobe Connect Diagnostic Testto ensure your computer and network connections are properly configured to provide you with the best possible Adobe Connect meeting experience.