Now that your Child is Home
Post Adoption Workshops open to the community

Registration Information:
Fees:   $20 per person per workshop, $10 for second family member; non-refundable.

Pre-registration is requested: register online below, download the registration form, and mail it with payment, or register by calling  847-733-3233 to ensure a seat; space is limited. If you register online, plan to arrive a bit early and bring payment – cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover accepted.

Walk - in registration times: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time.
We regret that babysitting is not available; programs are not appropriate for children.

Being a Conspicuous Family and Living It Saturday, May 19, 2007 9:00am – 11:00am DePaul University, Naperville Campus 150 Warrenville Rd., Naperville, IL 60563 View directions to this location Speakers: Moderated Panel of Adoptive Parents

For families formed by adoption it’s likely parents and children don’t look a like. As a result, questions, comments and even stares from complete strangers, as well as acquaintances are inevitable. It is also likely that your child will experience prejudice, even though you might not feel it. These experiences will occur throughout your child’s life with different issues coming up at different ages. It is important to consider how you will respond to different situations and how you can support your child. Come hear from and share with other families in your similar situation.

Learn from the personal experiences of parents who adopted transracially who will address these questions:

• How should I respond to comments and questions?
• How can I help my child respond to comments and questions?
• How can I help my child identify with his or her race and culture?
• How can I be sensitive to and help prepare my child for prejudice in the world, be it towards him or her personally or their race in general?

Promoting Children's Language Skills Wednesday, June 20, 2007 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Cradle, 2049 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 View directions to this location Guest speaker: Renee Reilly, PhD, CCC/SLP, Licensed Speech Pathologist,adoptive parent

Effective communication skills are critical for relating in a family, succeeding in school, and developing a secure sense of self.  For a variety of reasons, children may be at risk for communication delays and disorders.  This can be particularly true for children adopted internationally but can also apply to children adopted domestically.  Parents are often unsure about how to best support rapid language learning as well as how to distinguish typical delays associated with a language switch from more significant
disorders. 

This presentation will address:

• Expectations for typical language development and second language learning.
• Strategies for home language stimulation.
• Red flags for speech and language impairments that require more direct treatment.
• Accessing appropriate support services for language development

Renee Reilly, PhD, CCC/SLP has been a licensed speech –language pathologist for the past
14 years. Dr. Reilly is also a professor of communication sciences & disorders at Northwestern
University and a parent of two children adopted from Guatemala. 

Navigating Early Intervention and Special Education Services Saturday, September 29, 2007 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. DePaul University, Naperville Campus 150 Warrenville Rd., Naperville, IL 60563 View directions to this location Guest speaker: Pat Kluzik-Stauch, MA, STAR NET Region II Resource Specialist, and an adoptive parent

This interactive presentation is for parents who want to learn more about the special education and support services that may be available for their child, and how to advocate to obtain these services.  Pat will provide an overview of the Early Intervention system for infants and young children, birth to 3 years of age, and of the Special Education system for children from 3 years to young adulthood, and how these services can help meet your child’s developmental and learning needs. 

This presentation will address:

• Common risk factors
• How and when to search for services
• The eligibility and evaluation process
• The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
• Navigating the Early Intervention and Special Education systems

Ain't Misbehaving - The Difficult Job of Discipline Tuesday, October 16, 2007 6:30pm – 8:30pm The Cradle, 2049 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 View directions to this location Guest speaker: Nicole Hoffman, Psy.D., Long Grove Psychological Associates

Applying the principles of natural consequences to misbehavior can make a parent’s difficult job of discipline less stressful by avoiding getting caught in a vicious circle of arguing with your child. Learning techniques to be firm but kind, to be consistent, and to provide choices and consequences are important for raising your child.

This presentation will address:

• Understanding your child’s goals, behavior, and emotions
• How to become more consistent in your actions
• How to provide your child with choices
• When consequences work best and when they do not

Open Adoption Relationships and How They Evolve Saturday, November 3, 2007 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. The Cradle, 2049 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 View directions to this location Speakers: Moderated Panel of Adoptive Parents

Open adoption is a gift to two families, where communication can flow back and forth and questions are answered. As with all relationships, they tend to change over time with ups and downs along the way. What do open adoption relationships look like as the child gets older? Even though every situation is unique, we have invited several families who will share their insights and experiences that will better prepare you for your lifetime of open adoption experiences.

Hear from adoptive parents whose contact with their child’s birthparents began at the time of placement. They will share their personal experiences and how they have handled these situations:

• The birthmother or both birthparents have continued contact with the adoptive family, and how that relationship has evolved.
• Their child’s birthmother or birthfather has dropped out of contact.
• They have contact with the birthmother of one of their children, but not with the other.

** 2 hours of DCFS Foster Care Training for each workshop attended**

Registration Information:
Fees:   $20 per person per workshop, $10 for second family member; non-refundable.

Pre-registration is requested:register online, download the registration form, and mail it with payment, or register by calling  847-733-3233 to ensure a seat; space is limited.. If you register online, plan to arrive a bit early and bring payment – cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover accepted.

Walk - in registration times: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time.
We regret that babysitting is not available; programs are not appropriate for children.

PLEASE NOTE: The Cradle also provides counseling services to the community for adoption-related issues. In-service training for schools and other organizations is also available. Please contact the Director of Post Adoption Services at 847-733-3239.

Edited - March 23, 2007