CT COUNCIL ON ADOPTION’S ANNUAL MEETING & TRAINING

“LIVING WITH FASD: AN ADOPTIVE PARENT’S PERSPECTIVE”

Presenter: Cindy Archibald, LCSW

When: November 4, 2022 10-2:30pm

Where: Casa Mia at The Hawthorne (Berlin, CT)

*This program is pending approval by the CT NASW Chapter for 2.0 CEC’s.

TO REGISTER CLICK HERE!

Don’t forget to sign up for your 2023 Individual or Organization/Agency Memberships now! CCA is currently offering a $5 discount on 2023 Memberships NOW through NOV 30th in celebration on National Adoption Month. To access your discount, please click the Registration link above!

Cindy Archibald is a licensed clinical social worker and has worked in the field of human services for over 40 years in many different roles including as a teaching parent in an RTC, parent educator for CAFAF, an autism therapist and was a former therapeutic foster parent for 18 years who became an adoptive mom of four-all who were diagnosed prenatally exposed to alcohol. When her oldest son was diagnosed with FAS and the doctor diagnosing him could not offer any parenting resources it started Cindy on her journey in the "FASlane" to find ways to help her children. 

This two-hour training will cover an overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), how they are diagnosed, how does prenatal alcohol exposure impact a child, how does prenatal alcohol exposure present in a child, how do we as parents, caregivers or service providers best support individuals with FASD at home, school, and as they grow up and where do we find resources for children and families?

We are looking forward to seeing all current and new members on November 4th in support of National Adoption Month! 

Connecticut Council on Adoption Presents: Dr. Abbie E. Goldberg

“From Research to the Classroom: Understanding and Supporting the Adopted Child’s School Experience”

Special thanks to CT DCF and UCONN Health’s Adoption Assistance Program for their support!

Training summary:

Dr. Abbie E. Goldberg will present her extensive research on adoptive families and the schools and provide an overview of what we know about adopted children’s educational experiences, needs, and performance, and the unique elements of their background and functioning that shape their school experiences. She will also address issues of marginalization within the schools and the various elements of diversity that intersect with adoption that impact children’s and parents’ selection of and experiences within schools, including family structure and child race. Via the panel and workshop, she will help to identify best practices and solutions for adoptive parents and teachers to work together in addressing inclusion and the needs of adopted children.

Learning Objectives for Participants:

• Will learn about the academic and educational experiences of adopted children and how these intersect with various identities and background characteristics.

• Will examine the unique challenges that adoptive families encounter in the school setting.

• Will identify best practices for supporting adopted students by educators (language, curricular, disciplinary) which can inform advocacy efforts by adoptive parents and others.

Program:

      9:30AM  -   Registration

    10:00AM  -   Welcome by CCA

    10:10AM  -   Presentation by Dr. Goldberg

    12:00PM  -   Luncheon

      1:00PM  -  Panel Discussion

      2:00PM  -  Group Workshop

      3:00PM  -  Wrap-Up & Evaluation

  *This program is pending approval by the  CT NASW Chapter for 4.0 CEC’s.

Dr. Abbie E. Goldberg is a Professor in the Dept. of Psychology at Clark University in Worcester, MA where she also serves as the Director of Women’s & Gender Studies, and is the current holder of the Jan and Larry Landry Endowed Chair (2020-2023). She graduated summa cum laude from Wesleyan University with a BA in psychology, and received an MA in psychology and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UMass Amherst. She was a recent Rudd Adoption Research Program Visiting Professor where she surveyed over 200 K-12 teachers in the U.S. with Director Dr. Hal Grotevant on adopted children in the schools.  Dr. Goldberg is an internationally recognized scholar, speaker, and consultant, who is regularly interviewed by media outlets including the New York Times, The Atlantic, Boston Globe, and New York Magazine. Her research examines diverse families, including LGBTQ-parent families and adoptive-parent families, as well as the experiences of marginalized groups such as trans youth. She is the author of over 140 peer-reviewed articles, over 25 book chapters, and four books: LGBTQ Family Building: A Guide for Prospective Parents (APA; 2022), Open Adoption & Diverse Families (Oxford; 2020), Gay Dads (NYU Press; 2012), Lesbian and Gay Parents and their Children (APA; 2010).

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

When: Friday, March 18, 2022 from 10-11:30am

Where: Zoom (registration now closed)

What: Come and listen to our panel of three attorneys discuss recently changed Connecticut legislation - CT FMLA, CT Paid Leave Act, CT Uniform Parentage Act - and how these laws and changes affect adoptive and foster families. Hear about the changes and get your questions answered!

Who: Attorney Erin Choquette, General Counsel, CT Paid Leave Authority, Attorney Kate Dwyer, Assistant Agency Legal Director, CT Department of Children and Families, Attorney Kevin Emerson, BROWN PAINDIRIS & SCOTT, LLP, Glastonbury

How much: FREE!

PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

Join CCA to celebrate National Adoption Month 2021!

The CCA Annual Meeting will feature Guest Speakers, Dr. Sharon Davis, CT DCF Family First Director, and Natalia Liriano, MSW, CT DCF Statewide Foster Care Director to present on the implementation of CT’s Family First Services Prevention Plan.

This will be followed by a 2 ½ hour workshop with Pat O’Brien, LMSW, nationally recognized adoption advocate and dynamic Executive Director of Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of NY, on “Partners in Parenting: Post-Adoption Services and Supports”.

This training will be fully virtual.

“Continuing the Conversation: Becoming An Advocate for Transracial Adoptee Justice” with Mary Harris Miller, LCSW & Rachel Forbes, LCSW

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!

CCA wishes to express our gratitude to Mary Harris-Miller, LCSW, and to Rachel Forbes, LCSW for their enlightening and inspiring June 18th training on "Continuing the Conversation: Becoming An Advocate for Asian and Black Transracial Adoptee Justice". Participants commented that they "Loved that Mary and Rachel provided both the macro and micro lens" and the training made them "More confident to encourage families to have those difficult conversations" and was an "Excellent discussion on the impact of racism on adoptees, adoptive families and policy ". CCA also extends a sincere thank you to Desiree Stephens, Vice-President, of AccessConnecticut , for her presentation on the recent passage of CT Public Act 21-21 (click here to view) allowing CT Born Adoptees to obtain a copy of their Original Birth Certificate.

Join Us on March 25, 2021 for our Spring Forum 6:30 to 8:30 via Zoom

Lessons From Real Life: Exploring Best Practice with Transracial Adoptive Families

REGISTRATION HAS ENDED (AS OF MARCH 22ND)

The last few years have highlighted more than ever the challenges and issues that transracial adoptive families deal with every day. We have invited 5 adoptive parents who have parented their transracially-adopted children to adulthood to share their thoughts, concerns, and experiences with both adoption professionals and other adoptive parents. Please join us for this valuable conversation.

Register ​by March 22​nd​ and you will be sent a link to join the Zoom Meeting.

This forum is FREE for CCA Members and adoptive parents!

If you are not an adoptive parent or a member of CCA, we invite you to join for $20 upon registering to learn about this and other events upcoming.

Connecticut Council on Adoption

PLEASE JOIN US on Friday, November 13, 2020 @ 9:30AM for the CCA Annual Meeting and Morning Training via ZOOM! The program will begin at 9:30AM with the Annual Meeting and will include presentation of the 2020 CCA Annual Award. In the CCA tradition, we promise to make this award presentation as meaningful as ever! 

Following a brief break at 10:30AM, CCA is pleased to be hosting a two hour critical and timely training by Mary Harris-Miller, LCSW.  With over 25 years of work experience with CT’s foster and adopted children and their families, Mary is a “seasoned, adoption-competent” clinician and trainer. She currently is in private practice in Hamden with expertise on the topics of racism and transracial adoption.

This training will be FREE to CCA members and more specific details will follow. Pre-Registration will be required.

We hope you can join us!

ADVOCATING FOR SCHOOL SERVICES IN 2020 AND BEYOND

Hosted by Connecticut Council on Adoption and presented by the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center.

Lynn Rule, Parent Consultant and Workshop Facilitator from Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) will discuss accessing and advocating for Special Education services (IEPs, 504s, social/emotional modifications, etc.) during this unique and challenging time. How has Covid 19 impacted the delivery of services? What do parents and social workers need to know? Lynn will respond to audience questions and concerns about educational support and service delivery, both now and going forward.

WHEN: Thursday , October 8 th via Zoom from 10 to 11:30

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/y6mczd45

Due to the current health crisis, we have made the decision to cancel our CCA Annual Meeting.

In the meantime, stay tuned for events to come!

you may purchase tickets online by clicking here.

Click here to download the PDF for more information on the training offered, and the speakers.

Optional Morning Training
10:30am – 12:00pm

“It’s Everybody’s Journey: Supporting Families When a Child Comes Out”

Join us for an interactive training with Mary Collins, author of “At the Broken Places- AMother and Trans Son Pick Up the Pieces” and Robin McHaelen, MSW, Executive Director, of True Colors of Hartford. Using an intersectional lens, the presenters will discuss the response ofthe child’s family and caregivers being the most important risk – and protective - factor when a child comes out on the LGBTQ spectrum.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand the risk and protective factors associated with family response when a child or youth comes out on the LGBTQ spectrum.

2. Explore the intersections of race, ethnicity, religion and other factors of diversity with a family's response to their child's identity.
3. Identify strategies and supports for helping families overcome the barriers to acceptance oftheir child’s gender transition.

(*This program is pending approval for 1.5 CEC’s from CT NASW including I CEC for Cultural Competency.)

Afternoon Program

12:00pm - Luncheon Registration 12:30pm - Luncheon

1:45pm - CCA Annual Award Presentation 2:00pm - Keynote Talk by Mary Collins

2:30pm - 2018-19 CCA Committee Reports

Our next membership perk-
The Practice Committee presents:
Mental Health Services for Adoptive Families

March 29th from 10am-noon

at CAFAF
(Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families)
2189 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 2
Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067

RSVP to our President Susan Meyers
by March 22nd

CCA is excited to meet our full membership for the 2018 Annual Luncheon. Please join us for another fantastic event - complete with trainings, a delicious lunch at Dakota's, and our annual awards ceremony.

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018
Dakota of Rocky Hill
 

Optional Morning Training
10:30am – 12:00pm
“The Intersection of Adoption and Teenhood - What You Need to Know and Why”

This training by licensed psychotherapist, Katie Naftzger will discuss the unique clinical challenges facing adopted teens and tools to help them feel empowered and optimistic about the future. 

Afternoon Program
12:00pm - Luncheon Registration
12:30pm - Luncheon
1:45pm - CCA Annual Award Presentation 2:00pm - Keynote Talk by Katie Naftzger
2:30pm - Voting on 2018-20 CCA Executive Board and 2017-18 CCA Committee Reports

CCA's Annual Luncheon
FRIDAY JUNE 9th 10am-3pm
Dakota's in Rocky Hill

MORNING PROGRAM- Cultural Competency Training (1.5 CEU's available)
10:30am-noon
Provided by Training and Learning for Clinicians
FREE for CCA members
$15 for non-members

LUNCHEON, ANNUAL AWARD & AFTERNOON PROGRAM
Registration begins at noon
$35 exclusively for CCA members
$20 for renewal or new CCA membership (keep your support going!)

CCA Annual Members Meeting to follow. Please stay and sign up to join a committee for the 2017-2018 year!

Calo Programs to Bring Award Winning Show for Extensive Tour Coinciding with National Adoption Month

Can you imagine not knowing your own identity? That’s the reality for millions of adoptees and the focus of Suzanne Bachner’s award-winning show, The Good Adoptee, which will tour Connecticut between Oct. 22 and Dec 9th to help garner support for restoring Connecticut adoptees’ access to their original birth certificates. Each performance will include a post-show Talk Back with Suzanne Bachner and Anna Bridgforth who stars in the production.

The Good Adoptee, a one woman play, that chronicles Susan Bachner’s true story of the search for her birth parents in the face of sealed records. The show is a gripping mystery and often hilarious adventure. The show had its world premiere last fall in the United Solo Theatre Festival where it won the Awards for Best Autobiographical Script, Suzanne Bachner and Best Actress, Anna Bridgforth.

ShowTimes around Connecticut:

1.      Saturday, Oct. 22, 6 pm, United Methodist Church, Hamden

2.      Friday, Nov. 11, 8 pm, First Congregational Church, Ridgefield

3.      Saturday, Nov. 12, 2 pm, Charter Oak Culture Center, Hartford

4.      Friday, Nov. 18, 8 pm, First Church of Christ, New Haven

5.      Saturday, Nov. 19, 2 pm, University of Connecticut, Stamford

6.      Friday, Dec. 2, 8 pm, Episcopal Church, Enfield

7.      Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 pm, Questers Way, Mansfield

To see the trailer and learn more go to http://www.caloprograms.com/the-good-adoptee.html

Calo Programs to Bring Award Winning Show for Extensive Tour Coinciding with National Adoption Month

Can you imagine not knowing your own identity? That’s the reality for millions of adoptees and the focus of Suzanne Bachner’s award-winning show, The Good Adoptee, which will tour Connecticut between Oct. 22 and Dec 9th to help garner support for restoring Connecticut adoptees’ access to their original birth certificates. Each performance will include a post-show Talk Back with Suzanne Bachner and Anna Bridgforth who stars in the production.

The Good Adoptee, a one woman play, that chronicles Susan Bachner’s true story of the search for her birth parents in the face of sealed records. The show is a gripping mystery and often hilarious adventure. The show had its world premiere last fall in the United Solo Theatre Festival where it won the Awards for Best Autobiographical Script, Suzanne Bachner and Best Actress, Anna Bridgforth.

ShowTimes around Connecticut:

1.      Saturday, Oct. 22, 6 pm, United Methodist Church, Hamden

2.      Friday, Nov. 11, 8 pm, First Congregational Church, Ridgefield

3.      Saturday, Nov. 12, 2 pm, Charter Oak Culture Center, Hartford

4.      Friday, Nov. 18, 8 pm, First Church of Christ, New Haven

5.      Saturday, Nov. 19, 2 pm, University of Connecticut, Stamford

6.      Friday, Dec. 2, 8 pm, Episcopal Church, Enfield

7.      Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 pm, Questers Way, Mansfield

To see the trailer and learn more go to http://www.caloprograms.com/the-good-adoptee.html

Calo Programs to Bring Award Winning Show for Extensive Tour Coinciding with National Adoption Month

Can you imagine not knowing your own identity? That’s the reality for millions of adoptees and the focus of Suzanne Bachner’s award-winning show, The Good Adoptee, which will tour Connecticut between Oct. 22 and Dec 9th to help garner support for restoring Connecticut adoptees’ access to their original birth certificates. Each performance will include a post-show Talk Back with Suzanne Bachner and Anna Bridgforth who stars in the production.

The Good Adoptee, a one woman play, that chronicles Susan Bachner’s true story of the search for her birth parents in the face of sealed records. The show is a gripping mystery and often hilarious adventure. The show had its world premiere last fall in the United Solo Theatre Festival where it won the Awards for Best Autobiographical Script, Suzanne Bachner and Best Actress, Anna Bridgforth.

ShowTimes around Connecticut:

1.      Saturday, Oct. 22, 6 pm, United Methodist Church, Hamden

2.      Friday, Nov. 11, 8 pm, First Congregational Church, Ridgefield

3.      Saturday, Nov. 12, 2 pm, Charter Oak Culture Center, Hartford

4.      Friday, Nov. 18, 8 pm, First Church of Christ, New Haven

5.      Saturday, Nov. 19, 2 pm, University of Connecticut, Stamford

6.      Friday, Dec. 2, 8 pm, Episcopal Church, Enfield

7.      Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 pm, Questers Way, Mansfield

To see the trailer and learn more go to http://www.caloprograms.com/the-good-adoptee.html

Calo Programs to Bring Award Winning Show for Extensive Tour Coinciding with National Adoption Month

Can you imagine not knowing your own identity? That’s the reality for millions of adoptees and the focus of Suzanne Bachner’s award-winning show, The Good Adoptee, which will tour Connecticut between Oct. 22 and Dec 9th to help garner support for restoring Connecticut adoptees’ access to their original birth certificates. Each performance will include a post-show Talk Back with Suzanne Bachner and Anna Bridgforth who stars in the production.

The Good Adoptee, a one woman play, that chronicles Susan Bachner’s true story of the search for her birth parents in the face of sealed records. The show is a gripping mystery and often hilarious adventure. The show had its world premiere last fall in the United Solo Theatre Festival where it won the Awards for Best Autobiographical Script, Suzanne Bachner and Best Actress, Anna Bridgforth.

ShowTimes around Connecticut:

1.      Saturday, Oct. 22, 6 pm, United Methodist Church, Hamden

2.      Friday, Nov. 11, 8 pm, First Congregational Church, Ridgefield

3.      Saturday, Nov. 12, 2 pm, Charter Oak Culture Center, Hartford

4.      Friday, Nov. 18, 8 pm, First Church of Christ, New Haven

5.      Saturday, Nov. 19, 2 pm, University of Connecticut, Stamford

6.      Friday, Dec. 2, 8 pm, Episcopal Church, Enfield

7.      Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 pm, Questers Way, Mansfield

To see the trailer and learn more go to http://www.caloprograms.com/the-good-adoptee.html