Growing Up Adopted. featuring keynote speakers Amy Kenney, Carmen Knight, and Nathan Ross. Saturday, March 7, :30 am to 4:30 pm

Transcription

1 Parenting through Adoption 2015 Conference Growing Up Adopted featuring keynote speakers Amy Kenney, Carmen Knight, and Nathan Ross Saturday, March 7, :30 am to 4:30 pm Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois

2 Welcome You are invited to attend CAFFA s 22nd full-day conference. The conference offers workshops for pre-adoptive, waiting, birth, adoptive, and foster parents as well as adoption professionals. Anyone involved with adoption is welcome to attend, regardless of CAFFA membership. The conference will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2015, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm at Wheaton College, 500 E. College Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois. The keynote presentation will be given in Barrows Auditorium. Please note: This event is not a function of Wheaton College; all inquiries should be directed to CAFFA at education@caffa.org. Registration Please register online at Phone and mail-in reservations will not be accepted. The deadline for all registrations is February 28, Space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Fee includes continental breakfast, lunch buffet, access to all conference areas, and certificates of attendance for those requesting documentation for foster care license renewal hours. Early bird Regular price (through Jan. 31) (beginning Feb. 1) Individuals CAFFA Member $70 $90 Non- members $110 $130 Couples (price per couple) CAFFA Members $95 $115 Non- members $135 $155 CEUs for adoption professionals seeking social worker credits $25 additional CAFFA membership (optional) $30/year (per family) If you are not currently a member of CAFFA but would like to take advantage of the reduced conference rate, you may add membership dues to your conference payment. See the CAFFA website for membership information and benefits. Schedule 7:30 am Conference registration and continental breakfast; exhibits and bookstore open 8:30 am Opening remarks and keynote presentation 9:35 am Session 1 10:45 am Session 2 11:55 am Session 3 1:00 pm Lunch and exhibit viewing (in two shifts to accommodate everyone comfortably) 2:20 pm Session 4 3:30 pm Session 5 4:30 pm Adjourn CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

3 Keynote presentation: Growing Up Adopted Amy Kenney is a licensed clinical social worker with over ten years of experience working in adoption. She has worked with adoptive families, adoptees, and birth families in all types of adoption, including private domestic adoption, international adoption, foster care adoption, and special needs adoption. In addition to counseling and training pre-adoptive families, she has facilitated support groups for both families and adoptees and has been a panelist on multiple webinars for Adoption Learning Partners. Amy s passion for adoption is rooted in her own experience as an adoptee. She was adopted as a baby in a closed adoption in the 1970s in South Dakota. Amy met her birth mother 19 years ago and now has a relationship with several members of her biological family. Carmen Knight is an international transracial adoptee from Peru. With a bachelor s degree in social science education and secondary education and a master s degree in marriage and family therapy, Carmen has been working in the adoption community since 2006 and is currently working as an adoptive parent counselor at The Cradle. She has also worked in collaboration with both Bridge Communications, Inc. and The Ties Program. Some of her past experiences in the adoption field include working at culture camps and adoptee camps, leading classes and seminars on adoption topics at conferences and for various adoption agencies, speaking on adoptee panels, and helping families prepare logistically and emotionally for touring their child s homeland. Carmen has also provided emotional support to families doing birth searches and reunions and has worked with adoptive families as a therapist. Her passion and encompassing knowledge aligns to help guide countless families who have come together through adoption. Nathan Ross came into foster care in 1999 after severe abuse and neglect led to the deaths of two of his brothers. Once in care, he spent two years in a Belton, Kansas, foster home and was then adopted in Blue Springs, Kansas, when he was 14. At 18, Nathan began using his story to help effect positive changes within the child welfare system. He has spent the last seven years advocating across the country for a system that fights against child abuse and neglect. Nathan works full time as the project coordinator of the Community Champions Network for the North American Council on Adoptable Children, an agency that promotes and supports permanent families for children and youth in the U.S. and Canada, especially children and youth who are or have been in foster care or who have special needs. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

4 Workshops Though anyone can attend, many workshops are geared toward certain constituents in the adoption world. Please consult this key for guidance: AP adoptive parents FP foster parents APro adoption professionals PP pre-adoptive parents (in the process or still considering adoption) BP - birth parents WP waiting parents Session 1: 9:35 am 10:35 am 1A - Domestic Adoption: A Master Class Covering the Basics and Beyond (PP, WP) Rebecca Gruenspan, Adoption Consultant, RG Adoption Consulting Michelle Hughes, Adoption Attorney If you are asking yourself these questions What is the best approach to realizing my dream of having a baby if I m over 40/single/LGBT? Open adoption scares me can the birth parent(s) come take my child from me? Is it more difficult to adopt out of state and why would I even want to? How do some people adopt so quickly and for others it takes years? I ve heard the terms adoption facilitator and adoption consultant, but what s the difference and do I even need one? How do I know what information on the internet I can believe? Can I work with more than one agency at a time? Can I even afford adopting? this workshop will help take your adoption journey to the next level. It s not your typical Adoption 101! Rebecca Gruenspan, MSW, is the founder of RG Adoption Consulting ( A single adoptive parent with years of experience as a therapist, fundraiser, event planner, presenter, and mentor, she works with hopeful adoptive parents to educate, guide, and be a hand to hold through the domestic adoption process. Michelle M. Hughes, an adoption and assisted reproductive technology attorney (m.hughes@ adoptionattorneys.org), is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the Chicago Bar Association Adoption Committee and is co-chair of the Confidential Intermediary Advisory Committee with DCFS. She co-founded Bridge Communications, Inc., which provides diversity training and transracial, international, and general adoption education. 1B - International Adoption and the Children Available (APro, PP, WP) Alison Lamsma, International Adoption Coordinator, Bethany Christian Services International adoption has changed over the past 10 years. This workshop will help you better understand the process of international adoption from application to finalization as well as the children available for international adoption. Alison Lamsma has worked at Bethany Christian Services ( since She was born in West Africa and spent the first 18 years of her life there. Alison received her bachelor s degree in social work from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1997 and then began working at Bethany Christian Services. She has had several different positions at Bethany, each one teaching her a lot about the families and children that she is privileged to serve. In 2003 she earned a master s in social service administration from the University of Chicago. Alison has worked with birth parents, foster families, and adoptive families. She is a frequent speaker on transracial adoption and international adoption. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

5 1C - Adopting through Foster Care: What to Expect (APro, FP, PP, WP) Genie Miller Gillespie, Attorney at Law The thought of adopting a child through foster care may be overwhelming, but these relationships are also extremely rewarding. This seminar will explain the process of adopting through foster care, highlighting the benefits for both you and the child and discussing the very real concerns you may have about adopting a child who may be older than a newborn, a different race than you, or may have special needs. This seminar will also discuss the post-adoption benefits and support available as well as providing other helpful resources, including time frames and the court process in both juvenile court and adoption court. Genie Miller Gillespie ( has her own practice in Chicago concentrating exclusively in adoption and guardianship. She is one of the eight attorneys appointed as guardian ad litem in adoption cases in Cook County and was a co-founder and former legal services director for the Center for Law and Social Work. Genie has spoken at numerous seminars and meetings for attorneys, agencies, and foster parents and twice has been the chair of the CBA Adoption Law Committee. 1D - Parenting Upstream: A Panel (AP to all ages, FP, PP, WP) Pam Shepard, Supervisor of Post-adoption Services, Holt-Sunny Ridge Children s Services This workshop will feature a panel of adoptive parents who have had to adapt their parenting techniques and strategies to fit the needs of their children, both biological and adopted. Panel members will share their struggles and challenges regarding discipline, attachment, sensory processing, medical issues, and more. The workshop will highlight the differences and similarities of parenting adopted and biological children. These parents honesty and transparency will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Pam Shepard (MSW, LCSW) has over 18 years of experience in the child welfare field. She currently provides individual, family, and group therapy for anyone connected with adoption at Holt-Sunny Ridge Children s Services ( Pam has been trained in Theraplay, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, and Trust-Based Relational Intervention. 1E - Theraplay: Wooing Your Child with Fun! (AP to all ages, FP, WP) Phyllis Rubin, Clinical Psychologist, The Theraplay Institute This workshop will describe Theraplay, an attachment-focused parent-child therapy. Theraplay can help bring you and your child closer emotionally. By using activities that are based on normal attachment interactions, you will find ways to reach the child who, because of past hurts, has trouble trusting in you and letting you really feel you are his or her parent. This will be a hands-on experience in practicing the four kinds of Theraplay activities structure, engagement, nurture, and challenge that can be used with children from the very young to teenager. You will learn the importance of playful interactions and how helpful they can be in reaching hurt children. Come ready to have some fun! Phyllis Rubin (drphyllis715@gmail.com) is a clinical psychologist and a Theraplay therapist, trainer, and supervisor. She has a private practice in Oak Park and teaches for the Theraplay Institute. She has written about how Theraplay can help parents and children feel emotionally closer. Working with adoptive families is a specialty of hers. 1F - Q & A with Keynote Panelists Amy Kenney, Carmen Knight, and Nathan Ross Moderator: Amanda Reid Following their engaging keynote panel presentation, adult adoptees Amy Kenney, Carmen Knight, and Nathan Ross will remain on stage to elaborate on their stories and experiences. Though they each joined their families through adoption, their journeys are very different and diverse. Adult adoptee Amanda Reid will moderate the panel, taking questions from the audience. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

6 Amanda Reid is an adult adoptee who discovered her passion for helping others in the adoption community after searching for and being reunited with her birth mother. For the past year she has helped CAFFA with various activities, including volunteering to be the leader of the teen camp at Kaleidoscope over the summer. Amanda is currently pursuing a master s degree in marketing and communication at Loyola University Chicago. Session 2: 10:45 am 11:45 am 2A - Navigating Your Way through a Domestic Adoption (PP) Denise J. Patton, Attorney at Law In this workshop you will learn the differences between an agency adoption, an independent adoption, and an identified adoption. You will get an overview of how parental rights are terminated in the state of Illinois and gain understanding as to what the legal risks of adoption are and what you can do to protect yourself legally and emotionally. We will briefly discuss interstate adoptions and tips for choosing an adoption agency. You also will receive information on the adoption tax credit, how to add the child to your insurance, and what steps you need to take care of after the adoption is finalized. Denise J. Patton ( is an adoption attorney with over 16 years of experience who devotes her law practice to adoption and infertility law. Denise is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and member and past chair of the Chicago Bar Association s Adoption Law Committee. As an adoption attorney, Denise has successfully completed over a thousand adoptions. Denise and her husband are former foster parents and have adopted through the DCFS foster care program. Prior to private practice, Denise was regional counsel to DCFS, where she advised and conducted training on the termination of parental rights, the process of freeing children for adoption, and other adoption-related issues. 2B - International Adoption 101 (PP) Susan Orban, Outreach And Education Coordinator, Children s Home Society of Minnesota and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Each year, thousands of children join their family through international adoption from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean. Who are these children? How old are they? What are their needs? What countries are currently placing? What is the process? How much does it cost? How long does it take? How do families qualify? When you leave this workshop you will know the answers to these questions. While the landscape of international adoption is constantly changing, children of all ages still need families. Sue Orban (sorban@chsfs.org) has worked in child welfare for 24 years. She has managed programs and traveled with families to Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin American to help them with their adoptions. Sue received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Joint Council on International Children s Services in recognition of her service to children and families. 2C - Siblings in Foster Care: How You Can Help (AP to all ages, APro, FP, PP, WP) Katie Friend, Wendy s Wonderful Kids Adoption Recruiter, Adoptions Unlimited, Inc. This year, approximately 5,000 children will enter foster care in Illinois. While many of these children will return home to their parents or be adopted by a relative, a significant number of children will still be waiting for a forever family at the end of the year. A high percentage of those waiting children will be members of sibling groups who want (and deserve) the chance to remain connected with their brothers and sisters. Fortunately, you can help! CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

7 Katie Friend serves as the Wendy s Wonderful Kids adoption recruiter for Adoptions Unlimited, Inc. ( where she recruits families for waiting children and suggests potential matches to case managers. She has worked in child welfare for 20 years as, among other positions, a licensing representative, intake worker, and licensing supervisor. 2D - Zen and the Art of Curiosity: Seeing Under the Surface of Adoption (AP to all ages, APro, FP) William Kaplan, President and Clinical Director, House Calls Counseling This workshop will help participants become one with curiosity. It will provide guidelines for practicing the art of curiosity and then use video clips to help participants see examples of curiosity successes and failures in the movies. We ll explore those movie-failures to discover how the characters could have responded had they understood SPACE, a therapeutic parenting model which includes safety, structure, supervision, support, playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy. William Kaplan is a father and husband. To support that work he is the president and clinical director of House Calls Counseling ( the premier Chicagoland provider of inhome attachment-focused psychotherapy. He has presented workshops locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally and is co-producer of the DVD Chaos to Healing: Therapeutic Parenting E - What the Child s Heart Longs For/Seeing Beneath the Behavior (AP to all ages, APro, FP) Kay Holler, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Am I being played? What does my child really need? These are common questions faced by all parents of misbehaving children. This interactive seminar will explore the fears, needs, and longings of our children, and how they sometimes come out sideways. We will talk about how to become playful detectives, engaging our children, understanding their feelings and inner lives, and redirecting them. Come prepared to share your stories and strategies. Kay Holler ( provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families. The parent of four young adult/teen children (two by birth and two by adoption), she specializes in working with adopted children and their families. She has extensive experience with attachment issues and is passionate about building connections between people. 2F - Questions Children Have about Adoption and How Parents Can Help (AP to all ages, PP, WP) Julia Friesen, LCSW, CADC Did I grow in your tummy? or Why did they give me up? Children s questions about adoption can come in a quiet moment or blindside you at time when it s difficult to think about how to answer. Here s a workshop that will present ways to honor your child s desire for information, understand what is age appropriate, and to maintain your connection through it all. Though each adoption is unique, there are techniques to help navigate this journey so that children are more equipped to develop, with their parents help, a positive sense of self. Julia Friesen, LCSW, CADC (juliafriesen@sbcglobal.net), is a psychotherapist specializing in adoption and attachment. With a private practice in Winfield, Illinois, Julia has more than 15 years of experience helping families with a variety of experiences including adoption, attachment, trauma, grief, and loss. Prior to private practice, she worked at Metropolitan Family Services in the Adoption Preservation program. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

8 Session 3: 11:55 am 12:55 pm 3A - Borrow This Process: How We Adopted Twice in Less than Fourteen Months (PP, WP) Mike Lepley, Executive Director, The Adoption Lantern At this dynamic session, Mike will let you borrow this process that has resulted in scores of quick and successful domestic infant adoptions. The inability to have biological children led Mike and his wife to domestic infant adoption. After turning to adoption, they discovered a unique path and successfully adopted twice using this process. They adopted their son in less than fourteen months and their daughter in less than five months and have helped others do the same. From taking that first step to assembling the right adoption team, avoiding profile book mistakes, and selecting placement sources, this session is a must-see for anyone considering or pursuing adoption. Mike Lepley is the executive director of The Adoption Lantern ( and has worked with pre-adoptive clients across the United States to help build their families through adoption. Mike is a professional member of RESOLVE, Save the Adoption Tax Credit, and CAFFA and is a frequent speaker and writer on adoption. 3B - Living Out the Happily Ever After (AP to all ages, PP, WP) Traci Heim, Director Of Education, Refuge Ministries Joel Longshore, Executive Director, Refuge Ministries Adoption is often romanticized. Most adoption preparation is geared toward getting through paperwork, dealing with government agencies (both foreign and domestic), and making it through THE WAIT, all leading to that final goal and they lived happily ever after! What families don t usually discover until they have achieved that goal is that everything thus far had been a preamble to the real story. Families realize they have not properly prepared for what happens next. This session will discuss the realities of what it takes to graft in a new family member: how to release grief over lost dreams, for the child and the parent; how to build a foundation for your new child; how to endure and overcome institutional behaviors; how to love and cherish a child who seems unlovable; and how to promote healthy attitudes in yourself and your children. Traci Heim of Refuge Ministries ( is mom to ten children through adoption. She has two children from Russia, three from Ethiopia, and five from Ukraine. Her family has birth-order bumped, artificially twinned, and adopted two sibling groups and a child with HIV. Traci has spoken at adoption conferences about parenting adopted children and navigating the different issues associated with HIV. Joel Longshore is the father of two children through international adoption. His compassion for adoptive families is what drives him as the executive director and administrative leader of Refuge Ministries (www. refugeforadoption.org). Joel has a background in biblical studies and youth ministry and has served in various capacities in both church and para-church settings. 3C - From Abandonment to Abundance Workshop (AP to all ages, APro, BP, FP, PP, WP) Anita Ellis, Foster Care Alumna From Abandonment to Abundance Workshop is an informative interactive session regarding living a life in foster care and establishing emotional and mental stability. This workshop will help foster care and adoptive parents learn best practices in developing a support system for youth. Lessons will be shared regarding case workers, court visits, and living in kinship care. Participants will get a sneak peak of the stories shared in her book From Abandonment to Abundance. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

9 Anita Alston Ellis ( serves the community through advocating for foster care youth. She is one of the founders of EmpowerMEnt in Georgia, established through the Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative of metropolitan Atlanta. Anita has served on the One Church, One Child board of directors and has provided advisement to Child Welfare League of America s peer mentoring program. 3D - Teaching our Children to Confidently Handle Stereotyping (AP to all ages, APro, BP, FP, PP, WP) Julia Bradley, Adoption Educator This workshop will assist adoptive parents, adoption professionals, and others in educating adopted children regarding stereotyping related to adoption. Topics will include discussion of adoption, ethnic, and racial stereotyping and heritage country bashing. While the workshop will include information about identifying stereotypes, the primary focus will be on the adoptee s choices when faced with these issues, as well as examples of appropriate responses. One unique aspect of this workshop is a discussion on appropriate ways to handle heritage country bashing, which can be overt yet with subtle implications. Country bashing is not often included when discussing stereotypes, and some of the global issues leading to country bashing are quite complicated. Julia Bradley, Ph.D. (juliaabradley@sbcglobal.net), is an adoption educator and adoptive parent. She has presented adoption education programs to teachers, school administrators, and parents. She serves on the board of directors for the Chicago Families with Children from China organization (FCC) and is the FCC liaison to the local China Cares organization. 3E - Openness in Today s Law and Practice (AP to all ages, APro, BP, FP, PP, WP) Sally Wildman, JD, Law Offices of Sally Wildman Adoption law and practice in Illinois now provides greater rights to adoption parties, including direct contact between birth and adoptive families, birth parents bill of rights with consents and surrenders, adopted adults right to request original birth certificate, and the right of all parties to register with the Illinois Department of Public Health. As we discuss these and other aspects of openness in domestic adoption, attendees are asked to share their experiences and views to help us reach an understanding of long-term effects of these newer practices on adoptive families. Sally Wildman s law firm ( principally represents adoptive parents in various types of adoptions but also represents, upon request, birth parents and adopted adults who search for biological family members. A member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the Chicago Bar Association Adoption Committee, Sally advocates for changes in both federal and Illinois law to improve the adoption process. 3F - Meet the Birthparents: A Panel (AP to all ages, APro, BP, FP, PP, WP) Vicki Twomey, Board Member, On Your Feet Foundation This panel will consist of multiple birthparents sharing their experiences and answering questions. The goal of this panel is to share the whole story of what being a birthparent means the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Adoption is not a point in time it continues into the future and changes as we all grow together. We look forward to your questions and hope to learn as a team! Vicki Twomey is a board member at On Your Feet Foundation ( a facilitator of birth mom weekend workshops and retreats, and a public speaker. In the past she worked as a counselor helping expectant moms understand their adoption options and helping post-adoption moms get on their feet. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

10 Session 4: 2:20 pm 3:20 pm 4A - Domestic Adoption: Know the Law, Not Scary Fiction (APro, BP, FP, PP, WP) Kathleen Hogan Morrison, Attorney This presentation is an overview of the legal aspects of domestic adoption with a special focus on protecting adoptive parents by limiting legal risk. Attendees will learn about the different types of adoption, birth parent rights, the finality and irrevocability of birth parent consents to adoption, interstate adoption challenges, putative father registries, and designated consents and voluntary waivers of parental rights. This workshop will also cover adoption terminology and financial considerations in adoption. Kathleen Hogan Morrison ( is a Chicago attorney concentrating in adoption. She is the past president of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, named as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Illinois, and designated an Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. 4B - Making a Medical and Developmental Plan for the New Adoptee (APro, PP, WP) Linda Walsh, Family Nurse Practitioner, University Of Chicago Adoption Clinic Shelly Roy, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, University of Chicago Adoption Clinic This presentation will provide an overview of medical and developmental concerns common to international, domestic, and foster adoptees. What information do individuals need to know to understand the complex needs of the adoptee during the adoption process so they can be prepared to parent after adoption? How can families be supported after adoption as they unpack their child s complex medical and developmental history? Today s adoption landscape is complex, and it is imperative that families secure a medical support system who understands the effect of pre- and postnatal trauma and substance exposure on health, learning, and behavior. This workshop will include an explanation of the multi-modality medical assessment for the new adoptee. Linda Walsh is a family nurse practitioner at the University of Chicago Adoption Clinic (adoption.uchicago. edu) specializing in pediatric infectious disease. Linda has extensive training in helping adoptive parents develop skills to parent children who have experienced pre- and post-natal trauma. She has provided medical care to adoptees for nearly a decade. Shelly Roy is a licensed clinical social worker at the University of Chicago Adoption Clinic (adoption. uchicago.edu) and an adoptive parent. Shelly has been working with adoptive families professionally for ten years, providing services such as counseling, group facilitation, and resource referral. Shelly s professional focus is the impact of early-life adversity on child behavior, learning, and development. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

11 4C - Putting the Pieces Together: Lifebook Work with Foster and Adopted Foster Children (AP to all ages, APro, FP) Mallory Dowd, MSW, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Lifebooks are essential tools that aid children in healing from loss, trauma, and maltreatment and are catalysts to opening up conversations between children and adults about difficult pasts. Through Lifebook work, children develop coherent life narratives they express feelings, process traumatic experiences, record memories, keep important mementos and pictures, document milestones, and maintain connections with important people in their lives. For children who have lived in several homes in the system, Lifebooks assist in organizing their history to prevent facts and memories from fading or blurring. In this workshop you will learn about the importance and benefits of Lifebook work and how to assist children in making a meaningful one. Mallory Dowd, MSW, Lifebook Specialist for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois ( in Cook County, has worked with survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence, coordinated a sexual assault program, completed fieldwork at the Southwest Michigan Children s Trauma Assessment Center, and served adolescent female state wards in transitional or independent living. 4D - The Blue Sausage and Other Silly Games: Connecting Via Play (AP to elementary age and younger, APro, FP, PP, WP) Kay Holler, Licensed Clinical Social Worker This seminar is hands-on and interactive. You will not fall asleep! Come explore creative ways to use common household objects (such as newspapers, aluminum foil, and cotton balls) to increase joy, connection, and fun in your family. Learn the importance of eye contact, touch, voice tone, laughter, and singing. See how interactive play is as important as discipline in raising a healthy child. Kay Holler ( provides therapy for individuals, couples, and families. The parent of four young adult/teen children (two by birth and two by adoption), she specializes in working with adopted children and their families. She has extensive experience with attachment issues and is passionate about building connections between people. 4E - Healing Relationships in Adoptive Families (AP to all ages, APro, PP) Linda Nguyen, LMFT, Children s Home + Aid Vanita KewalRamani, MSW, Family Therapist, Children s Home + Aid Attachments are emotional connections or bonds that promote secure feelings and maintain relationships. Within all securely attached relationships are feelings of being supported. Support from an individual is strong, but support from a group is stronger. This workshop will show why support groups are an integral part of influencing adoptive families to have hope and the motivation to change. We will share our experience of maintaining successful support groups that aid adoptive families in their journey of healing and building lasting foundations of secure attachments. Linda Nguyen graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana with a bachelor s in psychology. She attended Northern Illinois University for graduate school, specializing in marriage and family therapy. She currently holds a license in marriage and family therapy and has supervised adoption and guardianship preservation (A&GP) at Children s Home + Aid ( for five years. A&GP is specialized in attachment approaches and trauma-informed care. The program has been maintaining support groups since CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

12 Vanita KewalRamani has her MSW and has been working for Children s Home + Aid (www. childrenshomeandaid.org) in Illinois for 25 years. She has 20+ years of working with adoptive families including starting, leading, and maintaining parent support groups. Her main attachment-based therapy is Theraplay, which she has been using with adoptive families since attending training at the start of her career. She also has extensive experience working with families who have adopted internationally. 4F - Race and Adoption: A Comfortable Conversation (AP to all ages, APro, BP, FP, PP, WP) Judy Stigger, LCSW, Clinical Director, AdoptionLearningPartners.org Becky Carter, LCPC, Therapist, Core Therapy Associates Why does race matter if we love our child? Transracial placement makes the adoption public, exposing the child to biases regarding both race and adoption. Parents who are color aware are able to create safe environments where their children can both explore racial identity and have a sense of belonging within their family. In this interactive workshop, participants will gain awareness of how transracial adoption impacts attachment and will leave with specific skills to help them deal with the issues and build secure multiracial families. An adoptive mom in conversation with an adopted person (who is also an adoptive mom) will share their professional expertise as well as their personal experiences. Judy Stigger, LCSW, is the clinical director for Adoption Learning Partners ( org). Judy also provides counseling and therapy for adopted kids and adults as well as adoptive and birth families in Evanston and Oak Park. Judy is the adoptive mom of two grown special needs and cross-racially placed children. Becky Carter, LCPC, is a transracial adoptee and parent of two transracially adopted children. She provides therapy to adopted teens and adults and their families with a specialty in addressing issues of attachment, trauma, and loss. Becky is also an adoption educator with The Cradle ( and a member of Chicago Area Families For Adoption (CAFFA). Session 5: 3:30 pm 4:30 pm 5A - The Nuts and Bolts of Adoption and Reproductive Technology (BP, FP, PP, WP) Shelley Ballard, Attorney, Ballard Desai & Miller This workshop will present an overview of the domestic adoption process, both agency and private, and will address locating a child, costs, avoiding scams, openness, the interstate process, the Indian Child Welfare Act, birth father rights, the Putative Father Registry, insurance coverage, reproductive options (egg, sperm, and embryo donation as well as surrogacy) and recent changes to adoption law. Shelley Ballard is an adoptive parent and attorney at Ballard Desai & Miller ( who practices only adoption and reproductive technology law. She is a fellow of AAAA and AAARTA, guardian ad litem for children in Cook County Adoption Court, and adjunct professor at Loyola Law School and is recognized as a top lawyer by the Leading Lawyers Network. 5B - Figuring Out Special Needs (APro, FP, PP, WP) Todd Ochs, MD, Ravenswood Pediatrics It seems like adoptive parents are being forced into the special needs queue, both domestically and internationally or is it that all children in the adoption queue are really special needs children? How can we look at potential needs and figure out whether we can parent a particular child? CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

13 Todd Ochs, MD, of Ravenswood Pediatrics ( has been a general pediatrician in Chicago since He began working with adoptive families in 1997, during the adoption of his first Chinese daughter. Since then, he has seen over a thousand internationally adopted children in his practice and adoption clinic and has adopted three more special needs daughters from China. Todd has spoken on international adoption both nationally and globally and has advocated for adopted and fostered children with public and private schools concerning adoption health and mental health issues, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. 5C - Trauma-Informed Care (AP to all ages, FP, PP, WP) Kathryn Herrera, LCSW, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago Daiva Piscikaite, MSW, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago This session will provide foster and adoptive parents a framework to better understand how trauma impacts the chemistry of a child s developing brain and how they can help meet the complex needs of children who have experienced loss, neglect, abuse, or other traumatic events. Suggestions for changes that can be implemented at home will include a general overview of Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI ), an attachment-centered, trauma-informed intervention specifically designed for children who come from the hard places of maltreatment, abuse, neglect, multiple home placements, and violence. Participants will also be encouraged to advocate for more trauma-informed school settings and will learn about some of the evidence-based clinical treatment modalities that have been found effective for children and adolescents. Kathryn Herrera, LCSW, is the adoption program supervisor for Catholic Charities ( net), where she has worked for 20 years. Her adoption-related experience includes coordinating international adoption programs, counseling birthparents, providing home studies and adoption education for prospective adoptive parents, and providing and supervising post-placement support and counseling for adoptive parents and families. Daiva Piscikaite, MSW, is an adoption social worker at Catholic Charities ( She has been working in the field of adoption since 2007 supporting families and children throughout their adoption journey. Daiva earned both a BSW and an MSW from Loyola University Chicago. She completed TBRI training program at TCU Institute of Child Development. 5D - Chores and Self-Concept: Raising a Powerful Child (AP to all ages, APro, BP, FP) Kelvin Gott, Consultant Self-concept determines everything your child will try and most of his or her success in school, society, and life. The proper use of chores has major influence on the development of a strong self-concept and is vital to the growth of your child. This presentation teaches you how to do it. Kelvin Gott is a dynamic speaker and consultant sharing stories from his 35-year teaching career and the experiences of parents he has consulted in his more than 400 presentations all around the Midwest. His insights into parenting, and now grandparenting, will make you laugh while they introduce you to the science and art of raising a healthy and powerful child from infancy through adolescence. A father of four girls and grandfather to 3.6, Kel has been married for 32 years and has taught, coached, and mentored for 35 years. He is a trained instructor in Parenting With Love and Logic. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

14 5E - How to Adopt a Child without Losing Yourself (APro, FP, PP, WP) Jenilyn Gilbert, Owner, One Way or A Mother From your first appointment to the finalization of your adoption, this workshop identifies mindful strategies for adoptive parents to gracefully navigate the entire adoption process. Tools will be shared on how to look beyond the logistical marathon of papers, trainings, and appointments to the emotional journey within. A group meditation will be facilitated along with creative solutions on how to best care for yourself along the way. Jenilyn Gilbert, owner of One Way or A Mother ( is a licensed clinical social worker, certified yoga instructor, and newly adoptive mother. She is an independent consultant who provides coaching services focused on fertility and adoption using mindfulness techniques. She also leads fertility and adoption support groups along with seasonal yoga workshops. 5F - Siblings Through Adoption: A Family Journey (AP to all ages, APro, BP, FP, PP, WP) Carmen Knight, MS, MFT, Adoption Counselor, The Cradle Liesl Einerson, LCSW, Adoption Therapist, The Cradle Whether you are somewhere in the adoption process or already parenting, this workshop is for you. You will gain insight and applicable resources to help navigate the complex relationships between siblings, whether they are birth or adoptive. Presenters will share their professional and personal experiences of being a sibling through adoption. They will share why it is important to maintain sibling connections and suggest how to navigate some of the challenges you might encounter. They will also explore family relationship dynamics with transitioning a new child into the family. There will be a Q&A at the end of the workshop. Carmen Knight is an international transracial adoptee from Peru. Her work in the adoption community includes working at culture camps, giving seminars, speaking on panels, and supporting families emotionally as they conduct birth family searches and reunions. She has also worked with families and children as a therapist. Carmen currently is an adoptive parent counselor at The Cradle ( Liesl Einerson provides counseling to anyone touched by adoption and facilitates adoption education and support groups through The Center for Lifelong Adoption Support at The Cradle ( She is an adoptive sister and has experience with foster care, open adoption, special needs, and international, transracial, and kinship adoption. Liesl has a certificate in advanced therapy with foster and adoptive families. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

15 Sponsors CAFFA is grateful for partnerships with the following individuals and organizations. Their generous contributions make this conference possible and have enabled CAFFA to underwrite portions of the costs. A very heartfelt thank you to each of you! Gold sponsors ($500) The Adoption Lantern Adoption Consultant Services Kathleen Hogan Morrison Adoption Law Office LCFS Family of Adoption Services Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois and Lifelink International Adoption Adoption Agency Silver sponsors ($250) Ballard, Desai & Miller Adoption and Reproductive Technology Law Genie Miller Gillespie, Attorney at Law Adoption Law Firm Law Office of Denise J. Patton Adoption, Egg Donation, and Surrogacy Law RG Adoption Consulting Domestic Adoption Consultant If you would like to become a sponsor, please visit the conference website at This list will continue to be updated on the website. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

16 Exhibitors and Vendors CAFFA is delighted to announce that Anderson s Bookshop of Naperville will be on site to offer a wide selection of adoption, parenting, and children s books. We are also excited to host a select group of fair trade vendors that will showcase goods from around the world. This list will be continuously updated on our website. If you would like to become an exhibitor, please visit The Adoption Lantern Adoption Consultant Services Adoption-Link Adoption Agency Anderson s Bookshop Adoption, Parenting, and Children s Books Anita Alston Ellis Author, From Abandonment to Abundance Artisans of Ghana Fairly-traded fine and functional art from Ghana, Togo, and Burkina Faso artisansofghana.com Berger Schatz Matrimonial and Family Law Attorneys Bethany Christian Services of Illinois Adoption and Child Care Agency Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago Adoption and Adoption Preservation Children s Home Society of Minnesota and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Adoption Agency Family Resource Center Adoption Agency Holt-Sunny Ridge Children s Services Adoption Agency House Calls Counseling Attachment and Trauma-Related Psychotherapy CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

17 Law Office of Denise J. Patton Adoption, Egg Donation, and Surrogacy Law Law Offices of Sally Wildman Adoption Law Firm LCFS Family of Adoption Services Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois and Lifelink International Adoption Adoption Agency Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Non-Profit Social Services Agency Neurofeedback, Counseling, and FASD Institute of Illinois Comprehensive Treatment Services Sheila A. Maloney Illinois Adoption Lawyer Styles for Girlz, NFP African/African American Hair Care Terra Experience Hand-woven Ethnic Doll Clothes that fit American Girl Tulia s Artisan Gallery Fair Trade Gifts from Colombia Walk for Adoption Nonprofit Adoption Advocacy Group CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

18 Other details Breakfast A continental breakfast with baked goods, juices, and coffee and tea service will be available, with coffee and water available throughout the morning. For a larger meal, consider the following options (please allow enough time to register before the opening remarks at 8:30am): Egg lectic Café Open at 6am 145 North Hale Street, Wheaton, IL (630) miles west of Wheaton College Egg Harbor Cafe Open at 6:30am 208 South Hale Street, Wheaton, IL (630) miles southwest of Wheaton College Lunch Box lunches catered by Bon Appétit will be provided to each conference guest and include a sandwich or salad (selection made when you register and pay for the conference online), fresh apple, bag of chips, dessert, and a bottle of water. Meal options are as follows: Ham and swiss ham with swiss cheese and mixed greens on a pretzel roll Ryken roast beef house roast beef topped with crispy fried onions, sliced tomatoes, and green leaf lettuce with horseradish mayo on an onion roll Caprese ciabatta fresh sliced mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil pesto on a ciabatta roll Chopped salad (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) chopped iceberg and romaine lettuce with blue cheese crumbles, diced hard boiled egg, artichoke hearts, black olives, sliced mushrooms, sliced onions, bacon crumbles, diced tomato, and croutons with a lemon basil dressing served on the side Asian chicken salad (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) teriyaki-marinated sliced grilled chicken on a bed of baby field greens with julienne peppers, shredded carrots, sugar snap peas, mandarin oranges, and crispy rice noodles with sesame soy dressing on the side Directions to Wheaton College The CAFFA Parenting through Adoption 2015 Conference will be held at the Billy Graham Center on the Wheaton College campus, 500 E. College Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois. The Graham Center is located on the southeast quadrant of Seminary Avenue/College Avenue, which runs east-west, and N. Washington Street, which runs north-south. Guests should enter through the door marked Barrows Auditorium, nearest the parking lot. Please visit the CAFFA Conference 2015 website at for more detailed directions and a map of the campus. Please remember: This event is not a function of Wheaton College; all inquiries should be directed to CAFFA at education@caffa.org. CAFFA Parenting through Adoption

19 Hotel We have made arrangements with the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Carol Stream to offer guests of the CAFFA conference special rates and complimentary shuttle service to and from the conference. These rates are available through February 15, Holiday Inn & Suites 150 S. Gary Avenue Carol Stream, IL Standard double bed $ 89 King $ 99 King two-room suite $109 Double bed two-room suite $119 To make your reservation, book online ( or by phone ( ) and indicate the group code CAF to receive the special rate. Policies Please, no infants or children. Partial refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis through February 14, Beginning February 15, all conference fees are non-refundable. No audio or videotaping. Contact information Check CAFFA s conference website for updates on conference information, exhibitors, and sponsors. Chicago Area Families for Adoption (CAFFA) education@caffa.org ADOPT ( ) Registration Register now at The deadline for all registrations is February 28, Space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Fee includes continental breakfast, lunch buffet, access to all conference areas, and certificates of attendance for those requesting documentation for foster care license renewal hours. Workshop and lunch selections will be requested when you register only. If you are not already a CAFFA member, you may activate membership during registration and take advantage of the lower conference rates. All details can be found at See you there! CAFFA Parenting through Adoption