Oklahoma Adoption Competency Network
About
There is so much to understand about adoption – loss and grief, attachment, trauma, therapeutic parenting, the impact of race and cultural differences, the role of the biological family after adoption, and so much more. The Oklahoma Adoption Competency Network (OACN) is a statewide effort to come together – adoptive parents, adoptees, biological families, and adoption professionals – to learn, discuss, and support each other in doing our best to support our children and families from adoption in Oklahoma. Below, you can find events the OACN is providing for all those touched by adoption, including Lunch & Learn webinars, book clubs, support groups, adoption competency trainings, and more! If you have not signed up yet to be on the mailing list for the OACN, please complete the form on the Adoption Competent Mental Health page and share your contact information so we can keep you in the loop.
Upcoming Events
Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens Chapters 5-6
Please join us in reading through Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens, a book that explores common adoption stuck spots for adopted adolescents and how therapy may help adoptive families learn and grow together. We are going through this book a couple chapters at a time, meeting every other Friday at noon. For any questions, please email bgoodwin@ou.edu.Lunch & Learn Six Stuck Spots for Adopted Teens
Join us as we discuss child development, adolescence, identity formation, and what role adoption plays during this exciting and, at times, challenging time for our adopted teenagers. Definition of “six stuck spots” for adopted adolescents from Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens will guide the presentation and discussion. Parents, professionals, and adoptees, please come and share your experience and questions!NTI Virtual Coaching 2023
Join with other mental health professionals across the state to complete the NTI training on adoption competent mental health! We will meet monthly for a discussion of the material for each module and application to practice. Please reach out with any questions to Bonni Goodwin, Ph.D., LCSW, Statewide Coordinator of Adoption Preservation Services, at bgoodwin@ou.edu. Register for the free, web-based training at National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI). We will be going through the mental health version which is 10 modules, for a total of 10 coaching sessions, starting Friday, June 9th. We will meet at noon every first Friday of the month. For more information on adoption competent mental health, please visit okfosters | Adoption Competent Mental Health.Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens Chapter 7 & Afterword
Please join us in reading through Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens, a book that explores common adoption stuck spots for adopted adolescents and how therapy may help adoptive families learn and grow together. We are going through this book a couple chapters at a time, meeting every other Friday at noon. For any questions, please email bgoodwin@ou.edu.Past Events and Media
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05/19/2023 - Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens Chapters 3-4
Please join us in reading through Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens, a book that explores common adoption stuck spots for adopted adolescents and how therapy may help adoptive families learn and grow together. We are going through this book a couple chapters at a time, meeting every other Friday at noon. For any questions, please email <a href="mailto:bgoodwin@ou.edu">bgoodwin@ou.edu</a>.
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05/16/2023 - Lunch & Learn Human Trafficking
Join us for a presentation on Human Trafficking. We will be discussing what human trafficking is, it’s prevalence, risk factors for becoming a victim, and what we can do as parents to protect our children. Meeting ID: 960 928 0680 Passcode: Adopt2020
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05/15/2023 - Circle of Care Post Adoption Support Group
Circle of Care is running online support groups for adoptive parents in Oklahoma! You do not need to have been previously associated with Circle of Care to join in. Groups will stay small to allow an optimal environment to share and connect with other adoptive parents who have adopted from Oklahoma child welfare.
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05/02/2023 - Lunch & Learn Behind the Behavior Part 2
Join us for part II of Behind the Behavior, a presentation on trauma and behavior. This lunch and learn will take a deep dive into the physiological and genetic effects that trauma has on the brain and body. We will then look at how these effects show up in behavior, as well as how these effects can be changed in a positive way.
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04/25/2023 - Lunch & Learn Empowering Families of LGBTQ+ Youth
Join us for a lunch learn on Empowering Families of LGBTQ+ Youth. During this session we will facilitate a discussion about building a foundation of support and understanding. We will provide some real world tips on how to create an affirming home and advocate for your child.
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04/17/2023 - Lunch & Learn Oklahoma’s Adoption and Post Adoption Support Efforts
Come and share ideas for change within Oklahoma’s Adoption and Post Adoption support efforts for all children and families impacted by adoption. Be a part of a team working to build Adoption Competency within our state as parents, adoptees, and professionals within the field. During this session, we will facilitate a discussion about support – are you connected to others who have experienced adoption the way you have? What type of connection and support are you interested in? Facilitators will be ready to connect with you and set dates and times for support groups, book clubs, social meetups, and whatever else the group decides! Come and share your thoughts and perspective!
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04/11/2023 - Lunch & Learn Transracial Adoption: Beyond Colorblindness
In this lunch & learn, we will be exploring the importance of talking about race/culture in adoption, being color conscious versus color blind, discussing common challenges faced by transracial adoptees, and providing resources for further learning.
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03/28/2023 - Lunch & Learn Behind the Behavior
Join us for Behind the Behavior, a presentation on trauma and behavior. This lunch and learn will take a deep dive into the physiological and genetic effects that trauma has on the brain and body. We will then look at how these effects show up in behavior, as well as how these effects can be changed in a positive way.
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03/21/2023 - Lunch & Learn The History of Adoption
Adoption Competency encompasses turning over every stone within adoption including exploring the history of adoption. To better understand the future of adoptions as a whole, we have to explore the evolution of adoption throughout history the good, the bad, and the ugly. Come explore with us so that we can build a better future!
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02/21/2023 - Lunch & Learn Adoption Competency
Adoption Competency is an all-inclusive approach that sharpens the lens for recognizing the many different aspects of adoption and how it impacts those involved. We are on a mission to explore, support, and empower adoptive families, adoptees, and professionals. Come and learn with us!