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Adoption Knowledge Affiliates 18th Annual Conference
Social Work 12.25 CEUs (6 Friday/6.25 Saturday) & 4.5 Ethics hours (3 Friday/1.5 Saturday) |
| AGENDA | |
| FRIDAY | |
| 8:00-9:00 a.m. | Registration |
| 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Keynote Address: "The Adoption Journey: Illuminating the Complexities" Ruth G. McRoy, Ph.D. Older child adoptions as well as infant placements increasingly involve contact between birth and adoptive families. Drawing on findings from longitudinal research on outcomes of adoption openness for birthmothers, adoptive parents, adopted adolescents and young adults (placed as infants) this keynote will describe the journeys of triad members over time in confidential, mediated and fully disclosed open adoptions. Satisfaction with contact, relationship dynamics, and experiences and perceptions of the triad will be illustrated. Also, research findings will be shared on the benefits and challenges of post-finalization contact between birth families and adoptive families in older child placements. Implications for members of the adoption triad, adoption agencies and other post adoption service providers will be discussed. |
| 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Lunch (on your own) |
| 1:00-2:30 p.m. | "Ethical Issues in International Adoptions, Reunions, and Searches" Dr. Rowena Fong (1.5 ethics). Adopted persons search for information about birth parents and families but in some countries like the People's Republic of China birth information is very difficult, if not impossible, to find. What will adoptive parents say or how will adoption therapists ethically explain this kind of abandonment to the Chinese child? In reunions between adoptive persons and birth parents in overseas countries, should birth parents ethically withhold medical information like HIV AIDS from the adoptive parents and birth child? These are examples of the ethical dilemmas faced by triad members and adoption professionals. This workshop will review the NASW Code of Ethics, discuss ethical case dilemmas, and offer principles and guidelines for ethical and culturally competent social work practices. |
| 2:30-3:00 p.m. | Break & Book Browsing |
| 3:00-4:30 p.m. | "Ethics: Navigating Openness in Relative Adoption" Robyn Gobbel (1.5 ethics). The majority of adoptions in the United States are completed by somebody known to the child; for example a step-parent, grandparent, aunt, or sibling. Adoptions within families bring some unique challenges and benefits to all members of the triad. In this session, we will consider what openness looks like in different relative adoptions. We will discuss why it's good to maintain openness in a relative adoption as well as what some of the common difficulties are. Learn how to maintain boundaries with the birthparent who is related to you and redefine roles within your family. |
| SATURDAY | |
| 8:00-9:15 a.m. | Registration |
| 9:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Keynote Address: "Birthparents: Myths and Realities" Patricia Martinez Dorner, MA, LPC, LMFT. The beliefs of the past still overshadow the realities of the present. Patricia Dorner will review clips from Sunshine and interview a panel of birthparents from different types of adoptions. Uncover the complexities of the birthparent journey, shine a light on the intergenerational impact of birthparenthood on birthparents and their families and address lifetime needs and issues of all involved. |
| 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Lunch (provided), Book Browsing & Book Signing |
| 1:00-2:15 p.m. | Session I Breakout Sessions: |
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| 2:15-2:30 p.m. | Break & Book Browsing |
| 2:30-4:00 p.m. | Session II Breakout Sessions: |
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| 4:00-4:30 p.m. | Closing Session: "The Adoption Journey: Illuminating the Complexities" A panel of conference speakers discussing the common themes and lessons learned from the presentations. |
PRESENTERS
Keynote Speaker Friday, November 12th
Ruth G. McRoy, Ph.D. In September 2009, Ruth G. McRoy became the first holder of the Donahue and DiFelice Endowed Professorship at Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. From 2005-2009, she served as a Visiting Research Professor and Consultant at Boston College. McRoy is also a Research Professor and Ruby Lee Piester Centennial Professor Emerita at the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work. During her 25 years on the UT Social Work faculty, McRoy served for 12 years, as the Director of the Center for Social Work Research, Director of the Diversity Institute and in 2002 became the Associate Dean for Research. In 1999, McRoy was selected for membership in the University of Texas Academy of Distinguished Teaching Professors. A practitioner, academician, researcher, trainer and lecturer in the field for over 30 years, her work has focused on such topics as open adoptions, kinship care, adoptive family recruitment, minority recruitment, racial identity development, transracial adoptions, family preservation, adolescent pregnancy, African American families, family violence, disproportionality in child welfare, older child adoptions, and post-adoption services. As part of the federally funded Collaboration to AdoptUsKids project, McRoy and her research team at the University of Texas at Austin, just completed two nationwide studies on barriers to adoption and factors associated with successful special needs adoptions. McRoy is currently leading a research team which is conducting a five year (2007-2012) evaluation of the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids. She is President of the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) Board and is a Senior Research Fellow and a member of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute Board. McRoy has authored or co-authored numerous articles and eight books, including: Transracial and Inracial Adoptees: The Adolescent Years>/i> (with L. Zurcher), Special Needs Adoptions: Practice Issues, Openness in Adoption: Family Connections (with H. Grotevant), Intersecting Child Welfare, Substance Abuse and Family Violence: Culturally Competent Approaches (with R. Fong, and C. Ortiz-Hendricks) and numerous articles and book chapters on child welfare issues. Her recent honors include the 2004 Flynn Prize for Social Work Research from the University of Southern California, the 2005 George Silcott Lifetime Achievement Award from the Black Administrators in Child Welfare, the 2006 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) and the 2006-2007 University of Texas at Austin Graduate School's Outstanding Alumna Award. Keynote Speaker Saturday, November 13th
Patricia Martinez Dorner, MA, LPC, LMFT Patricia Martinez Dorner has been a proponent of adoption reform for many years. In the early 80's, she directed one of the first programs in the country acknowledging that adoption is a lifelong process & honoring the needs of all participants. She is a frequent conference keynote speaker and provides training to professional groups involved with adoption. She is the author of How to Open an Adoption: a guide for parents and birthparents of minors; ADOPTION SEARCH: An Ethical Guide for Professionals; Talking to Your Child About Adoption; ADOPCION: hablando con tu hijo (Spanish translation); and co-author of CHILDREN OF OPEN ADOPTION. Patricia has an adoption and foster care focused practice which includes counseling, search assistance, preparation and support, & the opening of adoptions involving minors. In addition to her pioneering work in the adoption arena, she has been a passionate advocate for children in foster care, locating and mediating contact with their original families. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from McGill University in Montreal & her Master's degree in Counseling from San Francisco State University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor & a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Texas. In 1999, she was awarded the Baran Pannor Award for Outstanding Contributions in Open Adoption. In 2003, she was featured as an adoption expert on the Today Show. In addition to her professional association with adoption, she experiences adoption on the home front as the adoptive mom of two daughters, ages 29 & 31. Jan Deets, BS, LSW, LCPA is the Family Services Director at Alternatives In Motion. Jan has been
with AIM since 1986 and is the adoptive mother of three children, Jeremy, Alana, and Jennifer. She had a love
for families stunted by infertility who sought to build their families through adoption. Jan spent many years
developing the Family Services Department program. Her goal has always been to meet adoptive families where
they are at and to help them move toward a feeling of comfort in their choices, to educate them about the
adoption process, and to be there as a source of support and love when it is needed. Along the way, Jan added
Wade and Westin (twins) and Joni to their family. Jan and her husband Alan are a strong Christian couple who
have built their family through adoption. Except for Alana, their children came to them through "special
needs adoptions" specially needing the Deets family. Their family has grown to include the best part of
all 6 grandchildren.
Monica Faulkner, LMSW, Ph.D. is a Social Worker and
Research Associate at the Center for Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. She conducts research
and manages multiple research projects related to child and family issues, including child care, teen
pregnancy, foster care and adoption. Monica has worked as a Social Worker at a domestic violence shelter and
a children's shelter. She also worked in the Texas Legislature on issues related to health and human services.
Dr. Rowena Fong Ed.D., MSW, is the Ruby Lee Piester Centennial Professor in Services to Children
and Families at The University of Texas at Austin. Her area of expertise is transracial and international
adoptions. She has done training and consultation to staff and foster-adopt parents at the Beijing Child
Welfare Institute in the People's Republic of China. She recently co-directed with Becky Harding, President
of Families with Children from China, a Chinese culture camp in Austin, Texas, for families with adoptive
girls and boys from China. Dr. Fong is coauthor of five books and numerous book chapters and journal articles
with her scholarly publications and research focusing on international adoptions, culturally competent
practice, child welfare, immigrant and refugee children and families, and victims of human trafficking.
Robyn Gobbel is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
practicing in both Bastrop and Austin, TX. In addition to a master's degree in social work, Robyn holds a
post-graduated certificate in therapy with foster and adoptive children and families. Robyn's focus on
adoption and attachment developed naturally through her experience with children who have been abused and
neglected. After working briefly for Child Protective Services, she began writing home studies for a Central
Texas foster care agency. This blossomed into a thriving home study practice and the opportunity to increase
her knowledge about the unique issues associated with adoption and attachment. In 2009, Robyn founded
"Gobbel Counseling & Adoption Services," a private practice in Bastrop, TX that provides
counseling services to children and families. In 2010, she expanded her practice to serve families in North
Austin. In addition to counseling, Robyn provides family and parent support as well as workshops and education
to parents and professionals. A significant portion of Robyn's home study and counseling clients are learning
how to navigate a relative adoption. Robyn blogs about parenting and adoption (and adoptive parenting!) at
www.gobbelcounseling.com/blog.
Suzi McCoy is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Parent Educator and Trainer as well as an
adoptive parent. She holds certifications in chemical dependency, compulsive gambling, clinical hypnosis and
school counseling. She has over thirty-five years' clinical experience. She is in private practice in Austin,
Texas and specialized in psycho spiritual issues, helping individuals step into their LARGER LIFE STORIES
with meaning, passion and purpose. Suzi has been a member of AKA for twelve years and has two children, a 26
year old daughter and a ten year old son.
Lori Wolfe, MS, CGC, is the Director of the Texas
Teratogen Information Service for the state of Texas and is the current President for OTIS, the national
Organization of Teratology Information Specialists. Lori, a board-certified Genetic Counselor specializing in
the area of teratogen counseling, began the Texas service in 1991. The teratogen service answers questions on
the toll free Pregnancy Riskline from both the public and health care professionals about pregnancy and
breastfeeding exposures to common agents such as alcohol, cigarette smoking, illicit drugs, prescription
medications, and over-the-counter products. Lori's area of special interest is adoption. Lori is happily
married to Doug, who is an engineer at Vought Aircraft in Dallas. They have three wonderful children:
Shaelynn, Shaun and Shane.
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Conference Location:
Westover Hills Church, 8322 Mesa, Austin, TX 78759
(corner of Steck and Mesa, across from Anderson High School)
Hotel Information:
Holiday Inn Austin NW, 8901 Business Park Dr., Austin, TX 78759
Call 877-719-8291 or 512-343-0888 to reserve the "Adoption Knowledge" rate of $99 per night. Room block is available through October 21, 2010. Childcare:
Childcare is available on Saturday, November 13th from 9am to 4:30pm for $25
per child. Please provide your child's lunch. We will provide snacks. You MUST have a reservation by
November 1, 2010 to use the child care services.
Conference Sponsors:
Adoption Advocates
Alternatives In Motion Methodist Mission Home MyQuestDad TxCare The University of Texas School of Social Work Highlight your organization by sponsoring AKA's 2010 Conference
By co-sponsoring at the $550 level, your organization will be an integral part of our conference with an
opportunity to have:
By sponsoring at the $1,000 level, your organization will include all of the benefits above plus:
Exhibit at the 2010 Conference
Exhibit booth space is $125 and includes both days.
Advertise in the Conference Program
Full page ad @ $300 |