19. "Straight Talk With Kids"
Successful adoption includes not only giving parents full and complete information about their child's history, but also preparing parents to speak to their children at different stages throughout their lives in ways that will ensure that children hear and understand even the most difficult information. Learn to share the truth about difficult information with your child in a way that can only be described as "straight talk." Please bring your own challenging situations for discussion.
Barry Chaffkin, LCSW, CEO and co- founder for CT Wocat (Changing The World One Child At a Time)

20. "How Orphanage Life Shapes Children's Lives"
The presenter will create a vivid picture of the medical, physical, emotional, and developmental conditions of an institution. This will provide an understanding of developmental delays, attachment issues, self-esteem issues, oral motor dysfunction, low muscle tone, eating and sleeping issues, and self-regulation dysfunction which may occur in orphans.
Jane E. Aronson, D.O., Director, International Pediatric Health Services, PLLC, Founder and CEO, Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO)

21. "Orphan Trains to Outsiders Within - International Adoption in the United States"
The presenter will give an overview of international adoption in the United States from the perspective of an adoption professional, adopted person and history buff. The workshop will include video clips from a presentation by one of the original early 20th century Orphan Train riders still living in Minnesota. Excerpts from our recently published anthology of adopted person literature will also be shared.
Kate Ingalls-Maloney, Children's Home Society of Minnesota

22. "Reflections on Educational Experiences by Eastern European International Adoptees: What was Sometimes Learned the Hard Way"
Children adopted over the past 18 years from Romania, Russia and other Eastern European countries often had very little of the educational supports now known to be crucial for their successful academic and personal futures. These children and their parents fought to be understood and supported as their needs were quite unique compared to non-adoptive peers. A panel of teens/young adults, with a moderator, will engage with the audience to discuss what their experiences were, what worked and did not, and what they wish educators and child study team members (as well as adoptive families) knew and understood!
Moderator: Pat Gerke Vanderbeek, Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) NJ/Central South Co-Chair

23. "Leaving Home is Hard to Do"
Separating from one's family of origin and going out into the world can be difficult for many people, but even more so for adoptees. Feelings of separation and loss can be reactivated for all. This workshop will address the special issues of leaving home for older adolescent and young adult adopted persons and their parents. Barbara A. Rall, LCSW

24. "Adopting as a Single Parent"
Single and considering adoption?  The options and opportunities for single parents are constantly changing.  Hear from a panel of experts and a single adoptive parent about the current landscape in domestic adoption, international adoption, and adoption through the State of New Jersey (DYFS).
Carol Dillard (DYFS), Brenda Mazel (Golden Cradle), Kay Bambach (Holt International)

25. "Attachment and the Adoptive Family:  Focus on the Parent's Journey"
Adoptive parents often become parents after experiencing complex losses and emotions prior to and during the adoption process. Explore how the parents' journey can influence initial adjustments, on-going parenting and the concurrent issues parents and children experience in relation to the ages and stages of children's understanding of adoption.
Joni S. Mantell, LCSW, Director, Infertility and Adoption Counseling Center

26. “We Don't Look Alike: Does it Matter? Transracial Adoption"
This workshop will address the issues and challenges parents face when they adopt a child from a different race or culture (both domestic and international). Topics covered will be racial identity-how parents can help children develop a positive sense of themselves and their racial/cultural identity, racism, and a framework to help parents address the myths and assumption about transracial adoptions.
Nancy Borders, LCSW

27. "Consumer Mentality and Adoption"
Consumer Mentality is an unspoken and unconscious filter through which families can view and approach adoption. It is toxic to the formation of familial relationships. Making families aware of Consumer Mentality is the first step to creating effective strategies for combating it. The antidote of Commitment Mentality is also explored in this entertaining, interactive, no-holds-barred discussion.
R. Tito Del Pilar, Director of Training, Andrus Center for Learning and Innovation