The Cradle offers a series of workshops to support families connected through adoption. These are open to any family, whether they adopted through The Cradle or not.

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.

How to Discipline Your Children, Without Losing Yourself Check back later for available dates 6:30pm – 8:30pm The Cradle, 2049 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 View directions to this location Guest speaker: Kay Holler, LCSW, therapist in private practice and adoptive parent

A child’s misbehavior and a parent’s difficult job of discipline are stressful, and it is easy to get caught in a vicious cycle of arguing. Sometimes a child’s misbehavior is more than just being defiant. Trying to understand your child’s behavior and different ways to approach it is what this workshop is about. Parents will learn techniques to discipline in ways that build empathy and responsibility in their children.

Participants will learn:

• Identify new approaches to discipline
• Understand possible deeper meanings to a child's misbehavior

Cross Cultural Adoption Experience Saturday, October 18, 2008 9:00 – 11:00am The Cradle, 2049 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 View directions to this location 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 racism in the world, be it towards him or her personally or their race in general?

Same Gender Legal Issues in Adoption Saturday, November 22, 2008 9:00 – 11:00am The Cradle, 2049 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 View directions to this location Guest speaker: Rosemary Mulryan, adoption attorney

Same gender families formed through adoption face unique challenges that other families don’t. It is important to be aware of what some of the legal issues are and what to consider when estate planning. Rosemary Mulryan, an experienced adoption attorney who has worked with any same-gender families, will share her insights on such topics as:

• The legal adoption process
• Legal implications of last names
• Health insurance
• Traveling
• Guardianship
• Estate planning

Adoptive families will also share their practical experience.

Navigating Early Intervention and Special Education Services Check back later for available dates 9:00 - 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, Early Intervention Specialist, 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. She will discuss 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

Pat Kluzik Stauch is an adoptive mom with 20 years experience, first teaching and then educating educators and early intervention specialists. With a Masters in Special Education, she focuses on helping parents and educators to come together to benefit children.

Promoting Children's Language Skills Check back later for available dates 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Cradle 2049 Ridge Avenue Evanston, IL 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. 

** 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 limitedIf 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.

Edited - September 5, 2008