Regional FSA Conference

Birthmother Retreat

Adoption Education in Oregon

There will be an opportunity to get all 5 of the required education classes on Saturday June 19th in Portland Oregon. If you can't make it we will be having a similar all day class in August at the Renton office. Here are the details:

Saturday, June 19th (10am -3pm) 22284 SW Grahams Ferry Rd, Tualatin, OR 97062. 

Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Lunch will be provided to those who RSVP. Contact the Oregon Adoption Education Board Member (Michelle Coxey) at mmcoxey@gmail.com with questions or to RSVP.

Adoption Education Opportunity

There will be an opportunity for adoption education on June 5th at the Renton office. Check out the FSA blog for details.
http://fsawa.blogspot.com/2010/05/education-opportunity-guest-speaker.html

Adoption Education Class Descriptions

These are the classes that are currently being offered the third Thursday of each month. Class #3 will be presented on May 20th.

Class 1 – Demystifying Birthmothers

This class explores the issues surrounding stereotypes and misconceptions of birthmothers. This class may include an opportunity to meet with a birthmother to discuss your profile. If you desire an appointment with a birthmother please RSVP long enough ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for a birthmother to attend.

Class 2 – Openness in Adoption

This class will increase understanding of the different levels of openness in adoption. Discussion of the positive and negative aspects of open adoption is included. This will help adoptive couples to gauge what will be the appropriate level of openness for their family.

Class 3 – Defining Roles

This class will discuss the different dimensions of parenting and how roles are defined. How birthparents can find a place in an adoptive family’s life and what the birthparent’s responsibility is in the relationship will also be covered.

Class 4 – Ambiguous Grief

This class covers the different aspects of grief that affect birthmothers as well as adoptive couples. Ambivalence in the adoption process will also be discussed.

Class 5 – Communication throughout the Adoption Process

What do you say at the face to face? Who gets to name the baby? What gift should you give the birthmother? This is an opportunity to get ready for the road ahead and learn about the details of meeting, placement, and other experiences in the process.

PLANNING FOR AREA FSA CONFERENCE

Today, Amy, Pam and I had our first meeting for the local FSA Conference in November. I was excited to share ideas and look forward to further planning. Along with the conference, we have a new volunteer to be an Adoption Advocate. I hope more voices join in spreading the work concerning adoption.

Tawnia

Education

Thanks to all who made it to our very first set of classes. It was our first time so we were grateful to have such a supportive group.
We will be having the next class on March 18th at 7:00pm. If you are interested in attending please contact the office and let us know.
Thanks again

Good Books

This is an Excellent book dealing

with grief of any type.





Live Givers by John Gritter is an excellent book to learn about
what a Birth mother might be experiencing.

Letter Concerning Adoptive Couple Classes

Dear Prospective Adoptive Parent, January 4, 2010

It is LDS Family Services’ responsibility to prepare all parties for the adoption process. In order to comply with new policies and best business practices, LDS Family Services now requires that each adoptive couple receive training concerning adoption and birthparent issues. This requirement applies to all new couples that apply for adoption on/or after January 1, 2010. New couples will be required to receive 10 hours of Adoption Education as part of the adoption study. LDS Family Services and Families Supporting Adoption will be providing the training. Notification concerning training opportunities will come through e-mail and/or by accessing an office blog at http://www.adoptionhub.blogspot.com/ and FSA blog at FSAWA.blogspot.com (more information to come).

Adoptive couples that started their adoption study prior to December 31, 2009 will be exempt from this new 10 hour requirement. However, exempt adoptive couples that choose to participate in the training may benefit from the training in the following ways:
1. Adoptive couples that have completed the adoption training often become a more attractive choice to a birthmother considering placement. The adoption caseworker will keep an “Education Log” of classes attended. When birthparents consider adoptive couples, they may ask to see the “Education Log.” This will help them determine the adoptive couple’s knowledge concerning birthparent issues and may impact their decision.
2. Since many states have education requirements, accruing education hours may help couples to receive placement from these states without difficulty. (Washington State Adoptions require 32 training hours.) LDS Family Services - Seattle Office will only require 10 Adoption Education hours for all new adoptive couples. Birth Parents also receive a similar education.
3. The classes are designed to help a couple’s adoption experience go more smoothly and may provide answers to questions that are relevant to the adoption process.

LDS Family Services will be presenting six classes on an ongoing, monthly basis. One class will be taught each month on a Thursday evening, lasting 60 – 90 minutes. Couples will be required to attend five of these classes and a birth parent panel. There is an outline of the classes available on the office blog.

Tara (birth parent caseworker) and I will be offering a “one-time-only” training on Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 10 AM – 4:30 PM. Four of the five required classes will be covered for those interested in completing the classes quickly. The fifth required class and the birth parent panel will be available on a Thursday evening date. Space for the Saturday class is limited. To register, please contact Gwenn (Adoption Secretary) at fam-wa-seattle@ldschurch.org or at 425-228-0074 by January 25, 2010.

I am looking forward to helping each adoptive couple to be fully prepared as they seek to build their family through the loving option of adoption. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at singletonta@ldsfamilyservices.org.

Respectfully,
Tawnia Singleton, Adoption Manager