tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59642964220737969552024-03-13T21:32:09.829-05:00The Adoption PlaceA blog by Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections to help connect you to everything adoption!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-73256345279038117822012-01-05T11:25:00.000-06:002012-01-05T11:25:31.733-06:00New Children's Aid Society Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4iw-PGtIAM/TwXa_ttBUaI/AAAAAAAAACk/QbhmcZxffR0/s1600/CAS%2Bblog%2Bheader.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a4iw-PGtIAM/TwXa_ttBUaI/AAAAAAAAACk/QbhmcZxffR0/s400/CAS%2Bblog%2Bheader.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694198092014899618" /></a><br />Children's Aid Society has a new blog! <br /><br />"The Adoption Place" will no longer be updated as we will now be posting on the "Children's Aid Society" blog site. Please follow us on the <a href="http://www.childrensaidblog.org/">new blog</a> where you will find current CAS/APAC happenings as well as interesting articles and information. You also have the option of subscribing by email on our new blog site.<br /><br />You can also follow CAS on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/childrensaid">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/childrensaidorg">Twitter</a>!<br /><br />Thanks for joining us!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-90677498002882607562012-01-04T09:22:00.003-06:002012-01-04T10:03:18.151-06:00Expecting the Unexpected"Parents of newborns, whether through adoption or birth, can follow a mostly predictable pattern. When the baby cries, he's hungry, needs a new diaper, or is tired. If in doubt about a child-rearing point, parents can turn to countless books and websites, as well as family and friends. And each time they meet their child's need, parents reinforce a mutual attachment.<br /><br />What happens, then, to children whose needs are not consistently met in their early months and years?<br /><br />They become survivors, and they're pretty amazing for it."<br /><br />This is an excerpt from an article entitled, "Expecting the Unexpected", that discusses some surprising behaviors, and parenting techniques to cope with those behaviors, that you may encounter when adopting a toddler or older child. Check it out <a href="http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=2300">here.</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-20120361210604908922011-12-27T10:00:00.000-06:002011-12-27T10:00:06.150-06:00Protecting our Children From Sexual Predators!This article outlines how to protect your children from predators who engage in "grooming," which refers to deliberate actions aimed at befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child. Check it out <a href="http://www.examiner.com/foster-care-adoption-in-national/protecting-our-children-from-sexual-predators?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz1fybHzrgT">here</a> to learn how to protect your child.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-47864691347374035462011-12-20T10:00:00.000-06:002011-12-20T10:00:09.812-06:00Is It Really Possible to Love an Adopted Child as Much as a Biological Child?Check out <a href="http://www.creatingafamily.org/blog/adoptive-parenting/love-adopted-child-biological-child/">this article</a> on the <a href="http://www.creatingafamily.org/blog/">Creating a Family blog</a> about loving an adopted child as much as a biological child.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-52403865597966049432011-12-13T10:00:00.002-06:002011-12-13T10:00:12.393-06:00Overuse of Psychiatric Drugs for US Foster ChildrenABC News has conducted a study regarding the use of psychiatric drugs for children in the US foster care system. In the five states that they studied they found that more than one-fourth of foster children were prescribed at least one psychiatric drug. Foster children were also more than nine times more likely than non-foster children to be prescribed drugs for which there was no FDA-recommended dose for their age. Check out the article <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/study-shows-foster-children-high-rates-prescription-psychiatric/story?id=15058380#.Tt0rXVZKUS5">here</a> for more information on this study.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-47563227295676048852011-12-06T10:00:00.000-06:002011-12-06T10:00:05.998-06:00Talking MattersHere is another article regarding talking to your child about adoption. It covers the importance of talking about adoption, when to talk about it, how to start the conversation, and many other tips. Check it out <a href="http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1294">here</a>!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-67369641130361399662011-11-29T10:18:00.000-06:002011-11-29T10:18:00.313-06:00Adoptive Families' 2011 Holiday Gift GuideHave you started your Christmas shopping yet?? Adoptive Families magazine has complied a list of online stores that sell adoption memorabilia including Lifebooks, jewelry, children's books and a whole host of other gifts. Check out the <a href="http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe5116777c6c07797c10&m=feef16767c6c03&ls=fde313767c6c0c7871127674&l=fec11375776c027f&s=fded157573660d79731d7774&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2e177277610578741377">link here</a> and find some great holiday gift ideas for the adoptive families in your life!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-76072029856097983812011-11-22T10:00:00.000-06:002011-11-22T10:00:03.889-06:00Keeping the PeaceHolidays can be extremely stressful for every one of us! They can be especially challenging for many adopted children due to difficulties with emotional regulation. Check out <a href="http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1993">this article</a> for advice on how to minimize meltdowns and stress for your child this holiday season.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-59349418314634819382011-11-15T10:43:00.000-06:002011-11-15T10:43:00.135-06:00Surviving a Winding RoadThe process of adoption is full of ups and downs and has its fair share of challenges. This article discusses how to survive the long process of becoming an adoptive parent. Check it out <a href="http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=2289">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-14204011158024287272011-11-08T10:00:00.000-06:002011-11-08T10:00:02.079-06:00Labeling Kids - How Much To Share And With WhomAdoptive and foster parents are often faced with the question, "how much of my child's story do I share and with whom?" It's a hard question that is going to vary from child to child. Dawn at <a href="http://www.creatingafamily.org/">Creating a Family</a> has some interesting insight regarding how much to share. Check out her story <a href="http://www.creatingafamily.org/blog/adoption-domestic-adoption-international-adoption-embryo-adoption-foster-care-adoption/tmi/">here</a> and some additional insight <a href="http://www.creatingafamily.org/blog/adoptive-parenting/labeling-kids-share/">here</a>. What do you think? What has your experience been with sharing your child's story?Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-56429608590756628612011-11-01T10:00:00.000-05:002011-11-01T10:00:09.454-05:00National Adoption Month!!November is National Adoption Month!! Give an adoptive parent a hug today! :)Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-36815490912884083492011-10-27T10:00:00.000-05:002011-10-27T10:00:06.732-05:00Laughter, Bonding and Adopting Older ChildrenHere is an excerpt from an article by Pat O'Brien about bonding with the older adopted child:<br /><br />"Young people simply assume at placement that it is a matter of time before they will be rejected yet again and ultimately kicked out of this new household. The newly placed youth usually proceeds cautiously to protect him or herself from the expected rejection he or she believes will occur soon by staying somewhat detached from the new family and by resisting getting close to the new family.<br /><br />How can adoptive parents of teens and pre-teens prove they are worth bonding to? Well, having been involved in nearly a thousand placements of children during my 20-year career I can think of no better answer than shared laughter."<br /><br />To learn more about how laughter can help with attachment and bonding, check out the article <a href="http://www.adoptinfo.net/fftfeature.html">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-45589816636773782832011-10-25T10:00:00.000-05:002011-10-25T10:00:04.961-05:00Making Peace with Missing InformationMany times parents do not have all of the answers that our children might have about their adoption, birth parents, and history. This article discusses how to handle the questions that you don't have answers for and how to make peace with the absence of information yourself. You can find the article <a href=" http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1333">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-86462644521748355822011-10-20T10:10:00.000-05:002011-10-20T10:10:01.128-05:00How to Help Your ChildCheck out this video series called "How to Help Your Child" by Bryan Post. He discusses the best way to help your adopted or foster child who is struggling with emotional and behavioral problems. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Dg4_R3YKA&feature=related">Part 1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR7rF7pGee0&feature=related">Part 2</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKksJUlYdTg&feature=related">Part 3</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF7-EXTnHnM&feature=related">Part 4</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSlK3s7I1Pg&feature=related">Part 5</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-37198128946416541802011-10-18T10:00:00.000-05:002011-10-18T10:00:08.937-05:00Helping Children GrieveChildren who are in foster care or who have been adopted have all experienced many losses. Loss of birth parents and siblings, loss of friends, schools, pets, toys, stability, control, etc. Because they have experienced many losses, they must go through the grieving process in order to heal. This article talks about how to help your child that is grieving. It is not written specifically about children in foster care or adoption, but it has some great suggestions to help you understand what your child is experiencing and how to help them heal. Check it out <a href="http://www.cwla.org/voice/0711grieve.htm">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-26063167843716324312011-10-14T09:30:00.000-05:002011-10-14T09:37:28.725-05:00APAC offers opportunities for families and professionals to increase their knowledge of permanency related subjects. Educational Training services are available to all adoptive families, all foster families, all professionals serving adoptive and foster families, kinship care families, and DHR waiting families.<br /><br />To schedule a presentation for your group or organization, complete our training contact form.<br /><br />Upcoming Statewide Trainings<br />How To Create Healing for Adopted Children<br />APAC is proud to present this free one-day training for professionals serving adopted children. The dynamic practice of love-based therapy and parenting diminishes behaviors, prevents disruptions, and builds strong, lasting adoption placements.<br /><br />Training Highlights:<br />- Impact of stress and trauma on the developing brain.<br />- Combatting challenges of adoption.<br />- Preventing adoption disruption.<br />- Helping children take responsibility.<br />- Family-centered treatment with attachment challenged children.<br />- Creating a therapeutic environment for children who have experienced early life trauma.<br />- Assimilating connections to trauma for all family members.<br /><br />Continuing Education Credits<br />5.5 CEUs for LPC and Social Workers<br /><br />Schedule <br />8:30am: Registration<br />9am-4pm: Training<br />lunch on your own<br /><br />•Monday, November 7<br />Weatherly Heights Baptist Church<br />1306 Cannstatt Drive<br />Huntsville, AL 35803<br /><br />•Tuesday, November 8<br />Church at Brook Hills Student Center<br />3145 Brook Highland Parkway<br />Birmingham AL, 35242<br /><br />•Wednesday, November 9<br />Alabama Public Library Service<br />6030 Monticello Drive<br />Montgomery, Alabama 36130<br /><br />•Thursday, November 10<br />Mobile County Department of Human Resources<br />3103 Airport Blvd, Room 601<br />Mobile, AL 36633<br /><br />To Register, go to www.childrensaid.orgJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12635326838312320936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-78756138846976531832011-10-13T09:22:00.000-05:002011-10-13T09:22:00.137-05:00Talking With Children About AdoptionThe Center For Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) is offering a webinar again on "Talking With Children About Adoption". "Parents often lack confidence when it comes to discussing adoption with their children. This webinar teaches parents what children think and feel about adoption at different developmental stages and how to share their child's adoption story. Ms. Singer will address participants' specific concerns and questions regarding "what, when and how" to share difficult/sensitive information as well as how to respond to children's questions. Participants will learn how to initiate comfortable communication with children who do not ask questions. Learn about <span style="font-style:italic;">52 Ways to Talk about Adoption</span>, a new game C.A.S.E. created to facilitate family discussion of adoption."<br /><br />Check out the link <a href="http://www.adoptionsupport.org/cal/index.php">here</a> for more information and to sign up.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-38322991588517345952011-10-11T10:42:00.000-05:002011-10-11T10:42:00.470-05:00The 2011 Adoption GuideHere is a link to the 2011 Adoption Guide. It is a great resource for families that are just getting started in the adoption process. You can download the entire resource for free through <a href="http://www.theadoptionguide.com/">this website</a>!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-33443935994118891902011-10-06T09:00:00.000-05:002011-10-06T09:00:10.675-05:00My Forever FamilySong written by Tommy Byrd and Ande Rasmussen<br /><br /><br />In my life I've <br />Never known <br />Where it is <br />That I belong <br />Maybe you could<br />Be that place for me <br />This I wish <br />This I pray <br />This I hope <br />And dream some day <br />I will find my forever <br />Family <br /><br />Chorus <br />Take a look at me <br />There's so much to see <br />Who I am and all I can be <br />You can't change the world <br />But you can change mine for me <br />Take a look in your heart and see <br />If there's a place there for me <br />Could we be a forever family <br />Could we be a forever family<br /><br />A day becomes <br />A week so fast <br />And Soon another <br />Year has passed <br />And I'm still here <br />Waiting hopefully <br />Someday soon<br />I just know <br />Like the dream <br />I can't let go <br />I will find my forever <br />Family <br /><br />Chorus Repeats<br /><br />In my life I've <br />Never known <br />Where it is <br />That I belong <br />Maybe you could<br />Be that place for me <br />This I wish <br />This I pray <br />This I hope <br />And dream some day <br />I will find my forever <br />Forever Family<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=55378">this website</a> to listen to the song and <a href="http://www.heartgallerytexas.com/Media/Media%20Archives/Song%20release%20_Final.pdf">this website</a> to read more about the song.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-89412310851206739542011-10-04T09:00:00.000-05:002011-10-04T09:00:08.607-05:00Human Connections Start With A Friendly TouchThis is a really neat article about how friendly touch can help build feelings of trust and form connections with other people. A word of caution though, do be aware of what YOUR child considers friendly touch. Some children who have been abused do not like being touched in any way. Know what YOUR child needs. Check it out <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128795325">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-53163769038604261142011-09-29T09:00:00.000-05:002011-09-29T09:00:11.206-05:00Improving your Child's Behavior...PermanentlyThis is an easy parenting technique from the Complete Connection Parenting website to help improve children's listening skills. Check it out <a href="http://ccparenting.com/parenting/49">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-29813810476687194792011-09-28T13:58:00.003-05:002011-09-28T14:08:12.087-05:00Helping Parents Comprehend Potential for SuicideThe following Webinar is provided by <a href="http://www.wellawaresp.org/">Well Aware</a>:<br /><br />GUIDING LIGHT: Helping parents comprehend potential for suicide in their children <br /> <br />An experienced elementary-level teacher with a master’s degree in education and "tons of psychology courses," Wisconsin educator Lynda Larson was still unable to recognize early signs of mental illness in her fifth-grade son Adam, the eldest of her three children. "I remember the principal in my elementary school had a whole lot of background on troubled adolescents," recalls Lynda, with the clarity of hindsight. "He spoke to me about Adam and the signs he saw for potential trouble later. He even put an EAP (employee assistance program) slip in my mailbox at school." Lynda saw her former boss nine years later, after her son had dropped out of high school and endured years of substance abuse. He ended his own life on April 22, 1992, at age 20. "I told my former principal, ‘You saw this coming a long time ago, didn’t you?’ But as parents, we didn’t accept it at the time. He was our first child. We didn’t accept the message right away."<br />- AS REPORTED IN THE JANUARY 2006 ISSUE OF ADVANCING SUICIDE PREVENTION MAGAZINE <br /><br /><br />It’s among the most horrific thoughts a parent can have—their own child dying by suicide. So it’s no wonder that parents of at-risk youth may have trouble accepting that their son or daughter may have the capacity to kill themselves. <br /><br /> While teachers, relatives or clergy members may recognize risk for suicide in a child, parents may be unable to see this. “The parents are in denial” may be how others see it, but from a parent’s perspective, facing the fact that your child could be suicidal is more than many parents can emotionally bear. <br /><br /> “We know psychiatric illness runs in families. There’s also a lot of resistance to addressing it, to treatment within the general population,” says the esteemed David Shaffer, M.D., professor psychiatry and pediatrics at Columbia University and an international expert in youth suicide prevention. “A parent may think, ‘I haven’t seen it with my own eyes’.” <br /><br /> There are many reasons parents may be unable to comprehend potential for suicide in their children. And others—teachers, pediatricians, police officers, community members—need to understand these barriers parents face in order to help at-risk children. <br /><br /> In this groundbreaking webinar, we are pleased to present Donna Holland Barnes, Ph.D., suicidology researcher, educator, author, parent and suicide loss survivor. Also joining Dr. Barnes is Raymond Zablotny, M.D., physician, psychiatrist—and father of a son who died by suicide. Together, Dr. Barnes and Dr. Zablotny bring their unique perspectives to consider how others can help parents “hear” that their child might be at risk for suicide. <br /> <br />Tuesday, Oct. 18th, 2011<br /><br />2-3:30 PM Central<br /><br />Click <a href="https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/313641650">here</a> to register.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-9458770659486658592011-09-27T09:00:00.000-05:002011-09-27T09:00:14.051-05:00Helping Your Child Say GoodbyeHere is another great article on how to help your child transition into your adoptive home. This article contains suggestions on how to maintain connections with your child's past, including with their foster and/or birth parents, how to discuss with your child the confusing emotions they are probably feeling, and many other helpful suggestions. Check it out <a href="http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=345">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-75784645165225802952011-09-21T12:50:00.001-05:002011-09-21T12:50:00.424-05:00Talking With TeachersSchool has already been back in session for over a month now!! This time of year all families are faced with challenges as their children head back to school and adoptive families can be faced with additional challenges. Adoptive families have to decide how much they want to tell the teacher about their child's adoption and children are being faced with questions from peers about their adoptions. This is a great article that talks about what should be discussed in a parent teacher meeting regarding adoption. Check it out <a href="http://www.heartofthematterseminars.com/images/stories/pdf_files/talking_with_teachers.pdf">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5964296422073796955.post-71090148959399146572011-09-19T13:00:00.000-05:002011-09-19T13:13:58.874-05:00The Great Back-to-School KitHere is an article from Adoptive Families with "17 simple and effective ways to bring adoption into the classroom." Check it out <a href="http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1455">here!</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14303640676685275638noreply@blogger.com0