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View/Print 2008 Adoption Education Series
At Bethany, we believe adoption is a lifelong process, not simply a one-time event. Innovative programs like our ongoing Adoption Education Series support this belief. In our continuing efforts to establish and serve families, we place a special emphasis on informing birth parents, adoptive and foster parents, and the general public about the varied aspects of adoption, from pre-placement to the experiences of active parenting and beyond.
We invite you to attend one or more of the following workshops scheduled for the 2008 Adoption Education Series. Each course provides instruction, interactive exercises and extensive resource lists for further exploration and support. For more information or to register, please call the Bethany office at 317.568.1000 or email us at bcsindianpolis@bethany.org.
All meetings will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the offices of Bethany Christian Services, unless otherwise noted. Our office is located at 5650 Caito Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46226.
 | January 23 (Wednesday)
The Adoption Circle: Panel Discussion with Birth & Adoptive Parents
This panel of birth and adoptive parents repeats quarterly, but features varying panelists who will share candidly from their own experiences as part of the adoption triad.
Facilitated by Irene Evans, Coordinator of Domestic Adoption
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| January 30 (Wednesday)
Embryo Adoption information meeting
Unused cryopreserved embryos that have been donated for adoption may provide couples another option for becoming parents. Even for those who have tried a number of infertility solutions, and completed multiple cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo adoption may offer new hope, and it can do so at a fraction of the cost of donor eggs, repeated IVF cycles, or traditional adoption. Learn more about this life-promising gift.
Facilitated by Irene Evans, Coordinator of Domestic Adoption
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| February 11 (Monday)
The Dance of Attachment
From birth, child/parent relationships follow a predictable series of interactive patterns. Understanding this “dance of attachment,” along with the factors that can impede the process, will help adoptive parents learn effective strategies to promote healthy attachment. This course will also explore behaviors that might signal the need for professional assistance.
Facilitated by Patty Jewell, Clinical Supervisor
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| February 25 (Monday)
Promoting Attachment in Newly Adopted International Children
Internationally adopted children experience at least two significant transitions during the first few months of life: birthmother to orphanage and then orphanage to adoptive home. Discover tools to foster healthy attachment and build trust with your child.
Facilitated by Adoption Specialist Barb Hartsell at a special location, The Tire Rack, 7101 Vorden Parkway, South Bend, IN, 46628
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| March 10 (Monday)
Come Out and Play with Me! Attachment Based Therapy
Adopted children who have experienced a break in the normal infant/parent attachment cycle may sometimes exhibit behaviors of concern, ranging from subtle to obvious. This unique workshop will highlight the foundational elements of attachment-based play therapy: to enhance attachment, self-esteem, trust in others and joyful engagement. The method is fun, physical, personal and interactive and replicates the natural, healthy interaction between parents and young children.
Facilitated by Patty Jewell, Clinical Supervisor
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 | March 15 (Saturday)
Discover Adoption Information Meeting Special meeting time: 9:00 – 11:00 * Special meeting time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Learn about the many adoption options! Bethany staff will present information about domestic infant, older child, special needs, international, and embryo adoption. A panel of veteran adoptive parents will share their personal stories of how adoption has positively impacted their families
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| April 14 (Monday)
Voices of Adoption: Panel Discussion with Adoptees
Explore the topic of adoption from a unique perspective: domestic and international adoptees will share candidly about their personal experiences and feelings regarding adoption and its impact on their lives and identities as individuals.
Facilitated by Irene Evans, Coordinator of Domestic Adoption, and Tara VanderWoude, Adoption Specialist, adoptee
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| May 7 (Wednesday)
The Adoption Circle: Panel Discussion with Birth & Adoptive Parents
This panel of birth and adoptive parents repeats quarterly, but features varying panelists who will share candidly from their own experiences
as part of the adoption triad.
Facilitated by Irene Evans, Coordinator of Domestic Adoption
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| May 12 (Monday)
Understanding the Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Due to speaker unavailability, this presentation has been moved to November 6.
Sexual abuse undermines the psychological, emotional and social well-being of children. The impact can have immediate and lifelong consequences on the abused. In this course, learn how to: recognize red-flag behaviors that may signal abuse has occurred, identify resources available to help evaluate and treat your child, and therapeutically parent your child to foster healing.
Facilitated by Patty Jewell, Clinical Supervisor
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 | June 9 (Monday)
The Post-Adoption Transition: Adjustments Within the Family
Months or years of anticipation finally culminate in the long-awaited moment of bringing a new child home. But this joyful homecoming is not the end of the journey; it is really just the beginning! Gain the tools to navigate the realities of a new family addition, from sibling rivalry, to unsolicited comments from onlookers, to unexpected behaviors and post adoption depression.
Facilitated by Adoption Specialist Barb Hartsell at a special location, Taylor University Ft. Wayne 1025 West Rudisill Boulevard, Ft. Wayne, IN 46807
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| June 28 (Saturday)
Infant Care: Get Off to a Good Start
*Special meeting time: 10:00 – 12:00 a.m.
Acquire the skills and confidence to provide for your new baby's physical and emotional needs. In a relaxed atmosphere, you will gain practical experience for bathing, diapering, dressing, and feeding a newborn. Learn comforting techniques for crying and colic, and discern when to call the doctor. Guest presenter: Dr. Liz Blachly, family practice physician and adoptive parent.
Facilitated by Melitta Payne, Coordinator of Independent & International Services
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| July 14 (Monday)
Conversation Peace: Talking with Children & Others About Adoption
This workshop will help adoptive families acquire the necessary tools to incorporate talking about adoption as a part of every day life. Participants will learn age-appropriate strategies for addressing questions and issues at various developmental stages, as well as skills to respond to insensitive inquiries or comments from others.
Facilitated by Patty Jewell, Clinical Supervisor
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| August 6 (Wednesday)
The Adoption Circle: Panel Discussion with Birth & Adoptive Parents
This panel of birth and adoptive parents repeats quarterly, but features varying panelists who will share candidly from their own experiences
as part of the adoption triad.
Facilitated by Irene Evans, Coordinator of Domestic Adoption
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| August 23 (Saturday)
Ask the Doctor: An Adoption Medicine Primer with Riley Staff
* Special meeting time: 10:00 – 12:00 a.m.
Physicians from the Riley Children’s Hospital International Adoption Clinic will provide an overview of common medical issues faced by children adopted internationally. Topics will include medical and developmental issues common to post-institutionalized children, recommended screenings and evaluations, and the post-adoption resources available to your child. Guest presenters: Julie Keck, M.D., and Maria Finnell, M.D., from Riley Hospital's Center for International Adoption and Geographic Medicine
Facilitated by Tara VanderWoude, Adoption Specialist
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| September 15 (Monday)
What Transracially Adopted Children Need from Their Parents
Families who adopt a child of a different race or ethnicity will benefit from exploring the racial attitudes inherent in our society, and how such issues will impact a transracial family. This course will help participants gain the insight and tools to initiate and maintain an ongoing dialogue with their children about race, as well as identify the diversity in their lives, and assimilate culture and heritage.
Facilitated by Tara VanderWoude, Adoption Specialist and Transracial Adoptee
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| October 13 (Monday)
Lifelong Issues in Adoption: Entitlement
Join award-winning author and adoption educator Pat Johnston as she explores the components of building a successful, healthy family unit, as well as the unique challenges that adoptive families encounter. Topics to be covered include bonding, attachment, loss, cultural issues, embracing differences, dealing with adoptism, and entitlement.
Facilitated by Bethany Director, Linda Wrestler
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| October 23(Thursday)
What Transracially Adopted Children Need from Their Parents
Families who adopt a child of a different race or ethnicity will benefit from exploring the racial attitudes inherent in our society, and how such issues will impact a transracial family. This course will help participants identify the diversity in their lives, and assimilate culture and heritage.
Facilitated by Adoption Specialist Barb Hartsell at a special location, The Tire Rack, 7101 Vorden Parkway, South Bend, IN, 46628
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| November 5 (Wednesday)
The Adoption Circle: Panel Discussion with Birth & Adoptive Parents
This panel of birth and adoptive parents repeats quarterly, but features varying panelists who will share candidly from their own experiences
as part of the adoption triad.
Facilitated by Irene Evans, Coordinator of Domestic Adoption
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 | November 6 (Thursday)
Understanding the Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse undermines the psychological, emotional and social well-being of children. The impact can have immediate and lifelong consequences on the abused. In this course, learn how to: recognize red-flag behaviors that may signal abuse has occurred, identify resources available to help evaluate and treat your child, and therapeutically parent your child to foster healing.
Facilitated by Patty Jewell, Clinical Supervisor |
 For more information about any of the above-mentioned meetings, please contact the office at 317.568.1000 or bcsindianapolis@bethany.org.
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