Changing the Face of Adoption

2019

October 7 & 8, 2019Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells

Workshop Practice areas include:• Trans-racial

Adoption• Fetal Alcohol

Syndrome• Supporting LGBT

Parents

Questions? Contact Kim Eithun at keithun@wisc.edu

The 2019 Conference on Child Welfare and the Courts will provide a forum for state, county, and tribal leaders to learn innovative practices to achieve timely permanence for children.

9:00 am - 4:15 pm8:30 am - 4:30 pm8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Conference Information

Wednesday, September 25Thursday, September 26Friday, September 27

Registration

The 2019 Changing the Face of Adoption will provide insights into issues facing those professionals who work on adoption related programs supporting families.

9:00am - 3:45 pm 9:00am -3:45 pm

Conference Information

Wilderness Resort 511 E AdamsWisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Continuing Education Hours Continuing Education Hours (CEH) will be offered to attendees.

Conference Materials Conference materials will be provided to attendees in electronic format only. These materials will be made available prior to the conference. Participants wishing to have hard copies should print the materials prior to arrival.

Questions Please contact Kim Eithun at keithun@wisc.edu or (608)265-1417 or Elisabeth Dalton at edalton2@wisc.edu or (608)890-3965 with any questions.

Monday, October 7 Tuesday, October 8

Registration

Registration is required in advance and is available on-line at: https://wcwpds.wisc.edu/conferences-2/adoption-conference/.

The registration fee is $50 for one day and $100 for both days. Please indicate any dietary restrictions or special accommodations when you register. Registration closes on September 20, 2019.

Hotel Reservations Please make your hotel reservations at the Wilderness Resort by calling 1-800-867-9453 and let them know you are with the WCWPDS - Changing the Face of Adoption at Glacier Canyon Lodge, Leader #719208.

Monday, October 7

Tuesday, October 8

8:00 am - 9:00 am9:00 am - 9:15 am9:15 - 10:30 am10:30 am - 10:45 am10:45 am - 12:00 pm12:00 pm - 1:00 pm1:00 pm - 2:15 pm2:15 pm - 2:30 pm2:30 pm - 3:45 pm3:45 pm

8:00 am - 9:00 am9:00 am - 9:15 am 9:15 am - 10:30 am10:30 am - 10:45 am10:45 am - 12:00 pm12:00 pm - 1:00 pm1:00 pm - 2:15 pm2:15 pm - 2:30 pm2:30 pm - 3:45 pm3:45 pm

Registration and Breakfast (provided)Welcome and IntroductionsRelative Adoption: Supporting Children in a Complicated Family BreakWorkshop #1Lunch (provided)Workshop #2BreakWorkshop #3Adjourn

Breakfast (provided)AnnouncementsWorkshop # 4BreakWorkshop #5Lunch (provided)Workshop #6BreakMoving From Trauma-Informed Care to Healing Centered EngagementAdjourn

Agenda at a Glance

Monday, October 7

8:00 am - 9:00 am

9:00 am - 9:15 am

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Welcome

Relative Adoption: Supporting Children in a Complicated Family Deena McMahonRelative adoption can be a powerful and positive experience for children, but it is a complicated way to build a family. Ms. McMahon offers ways to support children and their families through the process.

Lunch (provided)

Registration and Breakfast (provided)

10:45 am - 12:00 pm Workshop Session 1

1-A

1-B

1-C

1-D

Supporting Children Through Adoption Disruption/Dissolution Deena McMahon Most adoptions are successful, but some adoptions do end in disruption or dissolution. This workshop will focus on helping children and families cope if disruption or dissolution occurs.

Developmental Consequences of Fetal Exposure to Alcohol and DrugsDr. Diane MosnikPrenatal substance use continues to be a problem and poses some risk for the developing fetus. Learn the research that helps serve children identified as having been prenatally exposed to alcohol or other drugs, as well as the behavioral and developmental characteristics these children display.

Supporting Our Birth Parents: The Unseen Member of the Adoption Triad Cassandra Krueger and Karla Meyer The process of adoption can be stressful, especially for the birth parents. Learn ways to support the birth parents before, during and after the adoption process.

Race and Adoption Jaclyn Skalnik This workshop focuses on transracial/transcultural adoption. The workshop will identify language and explore the ethnic, cultural, and racial impacts of an adoptive family and the community.

10:30 am - 10:45 am Break

9:15 am - 10:30 am Plenary Session

2-A

2-B

2-C

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm Workshop Session 2

2-D

Sensory Processing: Impact on Learning and Behavior Nancy Lawton-Shirley This workshop will explore how the senses (touch, movement, vision, sound, taste, smell) impact on learning and behavior. Practical sensory strategies to set up calm state will be presented.

FASD Challenges: Screening, Adjusting Expectations, Building Resources, & Managing FASD Dr. Diane MosnikAs a neuropsychologist, Dr. Mosnik explains the challenges that happen when children are exposed to substances in utero. Learn of resources and toolkits to help children throughout the course of their life.

How Children Learn About Race and How Adults Can Help Dr. Erin Winkler There is a myth in popular culture that young children are “colorblind” or “don’t notice race.” This leads many adults to avoid discussing race and racism with young children because they worry they will “put ideas in their heads.” However, research suggests this approach is all wrong! In this session, Dr. Erin Winkler will review the current research on children’s understandings of race, including how ideas about race form, what children learn and when, why we see changes at various ages, why all of this matters, and how adults can help their children understand racial identity, racism, and racial inequities from an early age in age-appropriate ways that empower their children.

Gender Diversity in Adopted Children (Part 1)Jess Dallman and Karen RusselChildren typically solidify their gender between the ages of 3-6. But what happens when family, society, and doctors say that you are a boy or a girl, but your brain and heart tell you something else?

Break2:15 pm - 2:30 pm

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm Workshop Session 3

3-A

3-B

3-C

Adoption Record Search Jacy Allen-Boldebuck The Adoption Record Search Program facilitates hundreds of reunions each year. Learn about the Program's history, the impact of DNA testing, discuss current issues, provide us with your feedback, ask questions and listen to some reunion stories!

Secondary Traumatic Stress and Caring for Self Beth SmetanaCaring for people who have experienced highly stressful events can put a strain on caregivers. Come experience some ways you can for yourself and support families in developing the self-care skills.

Speaking the Unspeakable Dr. Samantha WilsonHow do we create trauma narratives for children at various developmental stages? Join this interactive session to explore helping children through their healing journey at each developmental stage.

Gender Diversity (Part 2) Jess Dallman and Karen RusselChildren typically solidify their gender between the ages of 3-6. But what happens when family, society, and doctors say that you are a boy or a girl, but your brain and heart tell you something else?

3-D

3:45 pm Adjourn

444

4-B

4-C

4-D

Tuesday, October 8 9:15

Tuesday, October 8

4-A

9:15 am - 10:30 am Workshop Session 4

9:00 am - 9:15 am State Updates

Navigating Adoption Trauma: Co-Regualtion and the Nature of Relationship (Part 1) Jess Dallman and Elizabeth SeeligerThis interdisciplinary presentation will weave together topics of interpersonal neurobiology, attachment trauma, diversity and oppression, nature-based therapies, parenting, and resilience.

The Neurobiology of Learning Tony IniguezLearning is fueled by relationships and attachment. Learn to identify and assess the key concepts necessary for building meaningful relationships through the strengthening of attachment.

Family and Community Supports for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Tim MarkleWisconsin has five Regional Centers dedicated to supporting families with children and youth with special health care needs and the providers who serve them. The Centers are staffed by specialists who can help get answers, find services, and connect you to community resources. Their services are free and private.

Real Color (Part 1) Dr. Jasmine ZapataReal Colors training is an amazing personality assessment tool/strategy that is excellent for families with adopted children to use in order to connect on a deeper level, build deeper relationships and develop better communication skills.

10:30 am - 10:45 am BREAK

10:45 am - 12:00 pm Workshop Session 5

Navigating Adoption Trauma: Co-Regualtion and the Nature of Relationship (Part 2) Jess Dallmand and Elizabeth SeeligerThis interdisciplinary presentation will weave together topics of interpersonal neurobiology, attachment trauma, diversity and oppression, nature-based therapies, parenting, and resilience.

Supporting LGBT Parents Rich Valenza Often seen as outsiders themselves, LGBT people can bring compassion and awareness to those children needing it most within our foster care system. Learn ways to support people in our LGBT community to build families for these children.

Beyond Trauma Informed Care: Enhancing Relational Health (Part 1) Nicole Millerin Adverse childhood experiences that occurred in the context of a child/caregiver relationship often results in complex trauma. Building secure relational patterns is essential on the journey of healing from complex trauma. The integration of trauma informed care and relational health is crucial for anyone working with children and youth. The Circle of Security ® model offers insight into relational patterns between children and the adults in their lives.

Real Color (Part 2) Dr. Jasmine ZapataReal Colors training is an amazing personality assessment tool/strategy that is excellent for families with adopted children to use in order to connect on a deeper level, build deeper relationships and develop better communication skills.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch

5-A

5-B

5-C

5-D

1:00 pm - 2:15 pm Workshop Session 6

2:30 pm - 3:45 pm Plenary Session

6-A

6-B

Supporting LGBT Parents Rich ValenzaOften seen as outsiders themselves, LGBT people can bring compassion and awareness to those children needing it most within our foster care system. Learn ways to support people in our LGBT community to build families for these children.

Brain Architecture GameChildren's in the CommunityThe Brain Architecture Game experience builds understanding of the powerful role of experiences on early brain development, what promotes is, what derails it, and consequences for society.

Beyond Trauma-Informed Care: Enhancing Relational Health (Part 2) Nicole MillirenAdverse childhood experience(s) that occurred in the context of a child/caregiver relationship often results in complex trauma. Building secure relational patterns is essential on the journey of healing from complex trauma. The integration of trauma-informed care and relational health is crucial for anyone working with children and youth. The Circle of Security ® model offers insight into relational patterns between children and the adults in their lives. Circle of Security ® is grounded in attachment theory and was co-developed by Dr. Bob Marvin of the Virginia Attachment Clinic.

AGES (Adoption and Guardianship Enhancement Support)Danielle KornoppWisconsin participated as an implementation site for the Adoption and Guardianship Enhanced Support program. This session will review the evidence-base interventions, the evaluations of the findings and sustainability.

6-C

6-D

2:15 pm - 2:30 pm Break

Moving from Trauma-Informed Care to Healing Centered EngagementDr. Jasmine ZapataDuring toxic stress the brain structure changes. This session will review how as caregivers we can help children recognize their resilience and move toward healing.

3:45 PM Adjourn