We are committed to educating parents and professionals about current issues in international adoption. We provide:
- Orientation to International or Domestic Adoption
- Program Overviews
- Seminars for Adoptive Families or Adoption Professionals
- ICF Adoption Updates
- Resources to meet pre-adoption education requirements
- Post adoption counseling
- Referrals to family and child therapists
All families are required to complete a minimum of ten hours of pre-adoption education. Families adopting from Hague Convention countries have a specific set of topics, which can be covered in course both on line or at seminars or conferences designed to meet those requirements.
Families adopting from certain countries must meet additional requirements. Both China and Russia have country-specific requirement for adoption preparation.
Pre-adoption education is a positive way to explore all the facets of adoption and become better prepared to understand your child, identify concerns and provide support or services. All children coming through the dramatic transition that adoption entails need extra understanding during their adjustment phase. In addition, adopted children have special needs with respect to forming an identity that can embrace both the known and unknown parts of their history.
Let us know what questions you have. We would be happy to share some ideas or recommend books for adoptive parenting!
Adoption Education Resources:
General adoption on-line courses and Hague-approved curriculum:
Adoption Learning Partners provides international, Hague-specific, China-specific and domestic adoption education
Heart of the Matter Seminars provides international, Hague-specific and domestic adoption education
Russia on-line courses and optional in-person courses in AZ and NY:
BG Center provides Russia-specific adoption education curriculum and other resources for adoptive parents
Adoption Reading Resources
Please visit the Adoption Resource page, as well, for other information about adoption service providers. Adoption is a life-long journey!
