Building sustainable bridges between child welfare systems & state mental health systems is key to bringing about systemic change to improve the mental health outcomes for children in care & in adoptive & guardianship homes. This event will provide tailored onsite intensive technical assistance and evidence-informed training to strengthen coordination & capacity among the Oklahoma child welfare & mental health systems to improve the quality of mental health services provided to children, young adults & their families while in care & in adoptive and guardianship homes.

Come join us for a conversation with Angela Tucker, a transracial adoptee, filmmaker, author, and podcaster as she shares some perspectives on what living the adopted life means to her.

Whether you are in the midst of parenting an adolescent or just preparing for the future, it is a new landscape of parenting. For adoptees, this is a critical time for behavioral health intervention. One important factors in predicting emotional well-being for teens are the conversations they can have with their caregivers. It can be challenging to figure out how to approach conversations about mental health as a parent of an adolescent. This workshop will cover some of the unique aspects of adolescent development & finding ways to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health.

Building and Maintaining a relationship with birth families in an adoptive placement requires work and commitment but it is of vital importance for children and youth who are adopted. Connection with safe members of the child’s birth family are in the best interests of the adoptee. The purpose of this Lunch & Learn is to examine the benefits of these connections, discuss concerns around these connections and look at practical ways to make and sustain these connections.

This one-hour session will expand on the impact and importance of healthy attachment by providing participants with techniques and activities to build stronger connections within their relationships. This session includes discussion, group participation, and modeling of these attachment building activities.

Join us on Zoom on Tuesday, March 26th for the CE Event, "Special Education Advocacy," presented by Liberty Daniels (Program Field Representative for Child Welfare). Have you struggled with not understanding your child's rights in school? Join us as we discuss appropriate avenues and effective ways to empower parents in advocating for their children in school with IEP’s and 504’s.

Join us for a presentation on ways to engage youth in bullying prevention supports with a focus on trauma sensitive language and tools.
(1 Social Work CEU available for purchase for $10.00)

Join us for a presentation on the various ways trauma impacts children. Therapeutic parenting recognizes parents as the primary vehicle for healing. With a focus on high levels of structure combined with a high level of nurture, therapeutic parenting addresses behaviors while supporting bonding & attachment. (1 Social Work CEU available for purchase for $10.00)

This Lunch and Learn will discuss ways for both parents and professionals to advocate for adopted children with developmental delays and share ideas of how to start the journey of finding services that best suit these children. (1 Social Work CEU available for purchase for $10.00)

Join us on Zoom for a presentation on how trauma is stored in the body, the physiological effects that trauma can inflict on the brain & body, how these effects show up in behavior, as well as how these effects can be changed in a positive way. (1 Social Work CEU available for purchase for $10.00)

Join us on January 9th as Dr. Bonnie Goodwin will be discussing the importance of adoptee connections. Having a community of individuals that have also been adopted allows adoptees to feel deeper levels of support and can provide additional safe spaces for processing past, current, and possible future life experiences.

We will be discussing the importance of self-care as caregivers.

Come join us on November 14th with a medical professional to learn about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the possible lifelong effects it can have.

John Bracken, MA, LPC and Dr. Bonni Goodwin will talk about how understanding and becoming more competent in providing professional support for adoptees and adoptive families has changed the way they practice.

Dr. Bonni Goodwin will be discussing how the grief and loss of family and other attachments made while in care can have a continued effect on adoptees.

Join us for a discussion about age-appropriate milestones and behaviors of kiddos age 0-8.

Join us for a conversation about Psychological Evaluations. We will discuss the different types and which one is the best fit for you. We will also discuss the purpose and benefits of psychological evaluations and explore local resources.

Dr. Sara Coffey will be joining us to share her expertise on medication management, specifically as it relates to children with mental health challenges in a post adoptive setting.

Join us to learn about our 7 senses, how they interact, and influence behavior, with a specific focus on how sensory challenges impact a child’s ability to regulate.

Both Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans can offer formal help for K–12 students. They’re similar in some ways but quite different in others. We will compare them in order to understand what they are, recognize the differences, and be better equipped to advocate for your child’s educational supports.

Join us as we explore the history of Indigenous Adoption.

For this Lunch and Learn we will be discussing the roles and benefits of a Lifebook within both family and therapeutic settings. We will address practical ideas for creating a Lifebook during various stages of a child’s development as well as ideas of what to include. Additionally, we will look at how utilizing a life book can help with challenges relating to the understanding of a child’s adoption story, biological family, pre and post adoption experiences and identity!

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!