The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption requires adoptive applicants to complete ten hours of training before they can be approved. Christian Adoptions Services presents the Preparation for International Adoption workshop to couples considering adopting overseas. The workshop is held monthly in Edmonton or Calgary.

The course outline is as follows:

• Alberta Statistics; Where are Albertans getting their adopted children from? A brief look at foster care, government adoption, older children, licensed agencies, and International.
• Why International Adoption? Studies, success rates, is it worth the risk? What are the pros and cons?
• Where to begin: Research - resources available, doing your homework to find the country
that will work best for you, and that you will be comfortable with, what will it cost?
• Adoptive Parents of B.C. Video - "Building a Family by International Adoption"
• Choosing the child; why a younger child may be your best choice.
• Developmental delays.....are you prepared to do the work that is necessary?
• Separation, how it affects the child, what to expect and how to deal with it.
• Overview of attachment issues, realistic expectation of older child adoptions, and how to deal with the issues. Realistic ways to manage the behaviours/words of wisdom from seasoned parents.
• Self esteem issues when you look different from your brothers. Connecting you child to their heritage, telling their adoption 'story', providing positive role models, and a building healthy sense of identity
• Show-and Tell - Adoptive parents bring their little ones and come to share their experiences, show off their children and answer questions.
• Resource List, help in planning your research

This positive presentation is a mixture of lecture, discussion, hearing the stories of others who have adopted internationally and sharing from the participants. It includes extensive hand outs and is thought provoking and part of the preparation every parent needs before adopting internationally. This is a mandatory course that the Alberta Government requires couples to take before applying to adopt internationally.

Presenters:

• Wendy Robinson, BSW, RSW
  Executive Director, Christian Adoption Services

  Wendy is experienced in International adoption, orphanage work, supporting families with difficult foster/adoptive children and placing older children. Wendy has been a foster parent for 20 years who in parenting over 60 children has dealt with many issues first hand like parenting children of other races, dealing with developmentally delays, treating attachment disorders, and coping as a parent when the special needs of the child can easily overwhelm.

• Kathy Williams, BSW, MSW, RSW
  Social Worker, Christian Adoption Services

  Kathy brings over a decade of social work experience to Christian Adoption Services. Her MSW research was on cross-cultural issues in parenting, and she has a strong interest in developing attachment in adoptive families. She has worked for CAS for six years.

Upcoming workshops:

• September 11, 2010 - Edmonton
• October 16, 2010 - Calgary
• November 6, 2010 - Edmonton
• December 4, 2010 - Calgary

Workshops run from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Lunch is provided. Call 256-3224 (Calgary) or 1-877-256-3224 (toll-free) to register.

Cost is $250 per couple; $200 for single applicant.

If you are adopting a relative you are eligible for an individual course that will relate more specifically to your situation. Call the office for more information.