APAC Jan Newsletter
Transcript of APAC Jan Newsletter
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7/29/2019 APAC Jan Newsletter
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I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
Directors
Note 2
HGA NAMCelebration
APAC NAMCelebrations 3
Kids TalkAdoption 4
WebinarsAFGs 5
AFAPA
ConsideringAdoption 6
Dr. KeckCamp APAC 7
WaitingChildren 8-9
Library 10
CounselorsCorner 11
APAC is acollaborative effort
betweenChildren's Aid
Societyand the
AlabamaDepartment of
Human Resources
to provide educationand supportive services
to strengthenand empowerAlabama's
adoptive families.
I S S U E 3 1W I N T E R 2 0 1 3
Alabama Pre/PostAlabama Pre/PostAlabama Pre/PostAdoption ConnectionsAdoption ConnectionsAdoption Connections
Celebrating The Adopted ChildItisawonderfuloccasiontocelebratethe
introduconofanewfamilymember.The
actofchoosingsomeonetobeapartofa
familyisanextraordinaryeventforall
involved.However,theadoptedchildand
siblingsmaynotlookatthingsthesame
way.
Adopondaycouldbebiersweetforthe
adoptedchild. The childisleavingpeople,
things,andplaces
thatarefamiliarto
them. Theymaynot
allbehappy
experiences,but
nonetheless,
familiar.Thenthere
arethoseemoonal
pullsandtugsthatmaybeoccurring.
Thechildleavesan
enrefamilysystem
whenheorshejoins
theirforever
family.Thechild
mayneverhave
knownhisorher
birthfamily,but
mayhavehadstrongconneconstofoster
parents.Ormaybethechildisoldenoughtoknowhisorherbirthparentsarenot
availabletothem,oreveninsomecasesdo
notcaretoknowthechild.
Certainlyadopveparentsadoptbecause
theywantthischildandareprepared
emoonallyandphysicallytocareforthe
child.Itisalwaysimportanttoconsider
thattheadoptedchildmaybegoing
throughavarietyofemoonsthatinclude
happiness,butatthesame mesadness,
orevenanger.
Siblingsintheadopvefamilycouldalsobe
inacuriousplaceaboutthecelebraon.
Thesechildrenmayhaveindicatedadesire
tohaveanewfamilymember,butthe
thoughtandtherealitycanbetwo
differentexperiences. Adjustmentscanbe
slowandsomemespainfulforthe
adoptedchildand
anysiblingsalready
inthehome.This
happens,forno
otherreason,than
thenewfamily
dynamicsaresimply
newanddifferent.
Thereisgoodreason
tocelebrate.Those
parentswhodo
celebratesetatone
ofacceptanceand
joyforthenew
addiontotheir
family. Parentsare
theleadersandestablishtherulesand
createtheemoonalatmosphereinthe
family.Celebraonisaneventforeveryone
toenjoyeachandeverypersoninthe
family.Itisabouttheuniquenessof
childrenandwhatallmembersbringtothe
enrefamily.Wiseparentsunderstand
therearemanyperspecves.Thiswisdom
enhancestheirparenng,their
preparedness,andtheirplanning.
KathyHummel,LCSWPIP
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P A G E 2
Note from the DirectorNote from the DirectorAsIwritethisnote,wearecelebrangNaonalAdoponMonth(November).Bythe meyoureadthis,wew
allhavecelebratedmanyholidaysandmemoriesthroughoutDecemberandthenewyear.Oursocietylovest
celebrateandweindeedhavesomuchtobethankfulforandtocelebrate!Thisnewsleerfocusistorecognthejoysofcreangafamilythroughadoponandtocelebratewiththesefamilies!Celebraoncantakeman
forms,soIlookedaroundandexploredsomeofthemanywaysadoponiscelebrated.Onefamilyretoldthe
adoponstorytothegleefulchildwaingtohearthedayIcamehomeforthehundredth me!Another
showedavideoofthefinalizaondayorthehomecomingorthefamilygatheringwhenheartswerejoine
asafamily.Anothergotoutthefamilyphotosoftheseeventsorsharedearlymomentsormemoriestogethe
asafamily. Onetookatriptothelibrarytogethertogetabookthatinvolvedanadoponstory.Othersjoine
anadoponsupportgroup.Ofcourse,foodwasmenonedmorethanonceasawaytocelebrateatradio
weknowverywellhereintheSouth!Somesentcardsofthanks.Somesharedaspecialsongtogether.Others
hadamovienight,showingadoponmovies.SomeoftheexamplesofmovieswereAnnie,StuartLile,Babe
SnowDogs,Pinocchio.Thelistwentonandon
Everychilddeservesasafeandlovinghome.Wecelebratewithallfamiliescreatedthroughadopon!Ifyou
haventalready,considercelebrangyouradoponthroughulizaonofoneofthemanypostadopon
servicesavailablethroughAPAC.Checkoutthelibraryresourcesthatareloanedoutfreeandareabout
adoponrelatedtopics(www.childrensaid.org/apac/library). Visitoneofouradoponsupportgroupsor
adoponspecialeventsinyourarea.AllowingyouradoptedchildtogotoCampAPACisawonderfulwayfor
yourchildtocelebrateadoponbutdontdelayregisteringyourchild,asthecampfillsupFAST.And
remember,adopvefamilycounselingisavailableifyouneedsomehelpfiguringoutwhatorhowtocelebrat
Debra Hawk Finley,M.Ed.,MSW,LCSW,
CelebrangAdopon
Heart Gallery Alabama CelebrateAdoption with Governor Bentley
AdopveParentoffour,JeromyOwings,
meetsGovernorBentleyattherecepon.
Mrs.Alabamaandadopveparent Lynn
Maggiosharesherpassionforadopon.
GovernorandMrs.Bentleyhavetwobiologicalchildren
andtwochildrentheyadoptedfromChildrensAid
Society.
DHRCommissionerNancyBuckne
andHeartGalleryAlabama
ExecuveDirectorandadopve
parentMichelleBearmanWolnek
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P A G E 3
APAC Celebrates National Adoption Month
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P A G E 4
What Kids Have to SayAbout Celebrating Their Adoption
Adoponcan
some
mes
feel
alilelike
walking
down
the
yellow
brick
road,
uncertainaboutwhatisaheadforthechildandhisorhernewparents.Everything
isnewandperhapsa lilestrange,abit likeOZ.Youmaybeuncertainhowyour
child feels about celebrangadopon; soAPAC staffasked a few kidswhohave
adoponexperience.Ouradoptedchildrensresponsesconfirm the resiliencyand
enormousspiritofAlabamaschildren.
What does adoption mean to you?
Nikki: Beingadoptedformeisstarngoverandgengasecondchanceatlife. Ialsogetachancetohaveanewfamilythatlovesmesomuch. Igettotakesomethingbadthathappenedtomeandturnitinto
somethinggood. Ialsogettohelponeofmyfriendsthatwasadopted. Igetonethingthatmostpeopledont
have;IgottobeadoptedwithmyolderbrotherthatIlovesomuch.MostofallIgetagoodlifeandIam
happy.
Jackie: Ashelterovermyhead,foodonthetableandafamilythatlovesme.
Ethan: ItisveryspecialtobeadoptedbecauseIhaveafamilythatlovesme.
Jevon: Acceptanceandlovefromafamilythatyoudontevenknow,eventhoughyouweregivenawaysomeonesllwantsyou.
Cole: Ihaveafamilythatlovesme.
Nyla: Havinganewhome. FindingaForeverFamily. Childrenthatneedtohaveahomefindtherightplacewhereyoubelong.
Terrell: Starngoveragain. Lifechangingfromonesituaontoanother.
Betsy: Whatdoescelebrangyouradopondaymeantoyou?Itmeansbeingacceptedintothefamilyfinally,havingafamilytocallmyown.Iwouldtellotheradopvefamiliesthatcelebrangtheirkids
adopondayhelpsthechildfeelmoreapartofthefamilybybeingacceptedandloved.
Noonecansayitbeerthanthechildren.Theirdesiretobeapartoffamilyandberecognizedfortheir
uniquebeginnings is the lionand the nmanand the scarecrowcoming to lifeasagenuine family
member.Thecelebraonissharedamongthosecourageouschildrenandparentswhowalkdownthe
yellowbrickroadofadopon.
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P A G E 5
Northern Region
Calhoun County2ndThursday
6:308pm@GreenbrierChurchofChrist,Anniston
DeKalb County4thTuesday
67:30pm@FellowshipChrisanCenter,Rainsville
Etowah County3rdMonday
67:30pm@ChristCentralUnitedMethodist,RainbowCity
Jefferson County East1stThursday
67:30pm@HuffmanUnitedMethodist,Birmingham
Jefferson County MulCultural2ndTuesday
6:308pm@BluffParkUnitedMethodistChurch,Birmingham
Jefferson County West4thThursday
6:308pm@FirstUnitedMethodist,Hueytown
Lauderdale County1stTuesday
67:30pm@CrossPointeCOC(EDBldg),Florence
Madison County2ndMonday
67:30pm@FirstUnitedMethodist,Huntsville
Marion County2ndMonday
67:30pm@FirstUnitedMethodist,Winfield
Morgan County2ndTuesday
67:30pm@CalvaryAssemblyChurch,Decatur
Shelby County1stTuesday
6:308pm@FirstUnitedMethodist,Alabaster
Southern Region
Autauga/Elmore County4thTuesday
67:30pm@GlynwoodBapstChurch,Praville
Barbour County3rdMonday
5:307pm@FirstUnitedMethodistChurch,Eufaula
Dallas County4thMonday
5:307pm@DallasCountySalvaonArmy,Selma
Henry County1stTuesday
67:30pm@HeadlandFirstBapst,Headland
Houston County3rdFriday
6:308:00atDothanChrisanFellowship,Dothan
Geneva County2ndTuesday
6:308pm@FirstUnitedMethodist,Geneva
Lee County1stThursday
67:30pm@TheBigHouseFoundaon,Opelika,AL
Montgomery County3rdThursday
67:30pm@FrazerUnitedMethodistChurch,Montgomery
Baldwin County3rdThursday
67:30pm@EasternShoreChurchofChrist,Daphne
Mobile County4thFriday
67:30pm@RegencyChurchofChrist,Mobile
Viewour
webinars
onyour
smartphone
ortablet!
February:ExploringSleepDifficulesinAdoptedChildren
March:AdoponandtheSchools
April:LyingCheangandStealing
*Forfurtherdetailsandregistraoninformaon,gotowww.childrensaid.org.*
Adoptive Family Support Groups
We Meet Where You Are!We Meet Where You Are!Noneedtoleaveyourhomeoroffice!
Ifyouhaveacomputerandinternetaccess,youcanjoinourlive
webinarsandreceiveSocialWork,Counseling,and
FosterParentconnuingeducaoncredits!
AllGroupshaveparentssessions,childgroups,andchildcareunlessotherwiseindicated.
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P A G E 6
AFAPA Celebrates National Adoption Mont
Considering Adoption?Alabamaishometoapproximately270children
whoarefreeforadoponandwaingforaforeverfamily.
APACwillhostGroupPreparaonandSelecon(GPS)Classesstarngonthe
followingdates:
Montgomery: February 26
Huntsville: March 11
Birmingham: April 1
Mobile: April 2
Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowwouldliketolearnmoreaboutadoponand
aendclassestobeapprovedasanadopvefamilyforAlabamasWaing
children,
please
call
866
4
AL
KIDS.
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P A G E 7
Camp APAC 2013Because our days here are filledwith so much love & laughter
This will always be a magical place.
For adopted children and siblings living inthe same home, ages 9 to 18. Applications
available online atwww.childrensaid.org/campapacon January 14. June18-21CampASCCA
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Alabamas Waiting ChildrenP A G E 8
Evan, born2001,isapoliteandhelpfulchild.Hehasgoodmannersandlikestopleaseothers.Evanisfuntobearound.Helovestoplay
videogames,draw,andread.Hecanbeshyat mesandsomemesenjoysjustplayingalone.Hereceivesspecialservicesinschoolto
helphiminMathandReading.Hemakesgoodgradesandloves
spellingandvocabulary.
Evanwantsaforeverfamilywhohasotherchildrensotheycanplay
together.Heplaysbeerwitholderchildren.
Donterius, bornNovember1996,isinthe9thgrade.Heisahandsomeyoungmanwhohasashy,quietdemeanor
whenhefirstmeetsyou.Donteriuslikestolistentomusic,
fish,swimandplaycomputergames.Hisfosterfatherhas
taughthimtoplaychesswhichheenjoys.Donteriuslikes
footballandhisfavoriteteamistheUniversityofAlabama.
Hesayshewouldreallyliketoplayfootballinhighschool.
Donteriusenjoysaendingchurchwithhisfosterfamily.
HelikestoreadandJapaneseAnime'.Hisfostermother
reportsheisgreatwithsmallerchildrenandalsodoeswell
witholderkidsashehasaplayfulside.Hereceivesspecial
educaonservicesandtypicallyperformswell
academically.Donteriusoenneedsredireconinthe
classroom,ashecanbeeasilydistracted.Donteriushasa
halfsisterandhalfbrotherwithwhomhesll
communicates.ItisimportantDonteriusmaintainthese
relaonshipswithhissiblings.
Duetopastexperiences,Donteriustendstobereluctanttoopenuptoadults.Heneedsaforeverfamilywhowillbe
paent,loving,consistentandcommiedtohelpinghim
learntotrustothers.
Photos courtesy of
VisitVisit www.heartgalleryalabama.comwww.heartgalleryalabama.com
to meet more kids waiting to be a dopteto meet more kids waiting to be adopte
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P A G E 9
Nazarius,bornMarch2000,isdescribedbyothersasahelperwhoisalwayswillingtolendahand.Heisdoingwellinschool,wherehemaintainsanAB
average.Nazariusistheyoungestoffoursiblings,butistheonlyonecurrently
beingplacedforadopon.Heenjoysplayingvideogames,watchingWWE
wrestling,drawing,swimming,playingthedrums,andreading.Nazariuswantsto
jointheAirForceandbecomeapilotwhenhegrowsup.Heisveryknowledgeable
aboutairplanesandtheirfunconsinthemilitary.
Nazariuswouldbenefitfromalovinghomewherehehasstabilityandknowswhat
isexpectedofhim.Hewillneedafamilytoprovidehimwithstructureand
consistency,butalsoshowerhimwithaffecon.Nazariushasbeenplacedin
fosterhomeswhereheistheonlychild,butwouldbenefitfromanenvironment
wherethereareotherchildrenclosetohisage.
Chris, bornJune1998,isinthe8thgradeandisaverysweet,mannerlychild.Heisarealgentlemenandwillhelpaladywiththedoororhelphercarryherthings.Chrisisaverylikablechildandenjoystalking.He
isveryarculateandimaginave.Chrisenjoysbuildingthings,imaginaryplay,andinteracvegames.Chris
lovesplayingvideogamesandhelikesSpiderman.Heenjoysmusicandis
interestedinlearningtoplayguitar.Healsoenjoysplayinggamesonhis
computer.
Chrishasmovedagooddealwhileinfostercareandisnervousabout
movingagain,butwantsaforeverfamilytocareforandlovehim.Chris
foreverfamilyneedstobeverypaentandalsoabletohelphimconnue
hisjourneyofdealingwiththepast.Heisanemoonalandsensivechild.
Chrishasaveryhighenergylevelandhisforeverfamilyneedstobeflexible
andbeabletoteachChrisboundaries.Hesomemesneedsagreatdealofassistanceinstayingfocused.Chrisisapleasuretobearoundandenjoys
oneononeaenonbutrequirespaenceaswell.
Chrisconnuestoneedastructuredenvironmentandwoulddobestasthe
onlychildinthehomeorastheyoungestchild.Chriswantsafamilywho
willinvolvehimandmakehimfeelpartofsomething.Hestruggleswiththinkinghewillneverfindthe
foreverfamily.
Devontae, bornAugust2000,isahandsomeyoungman.Helovessports,especiallybasketball.Devontaehasplayedbaseballinthepastandexcelled.
Duringschoolhereceivesspecialservicestohelphimanddespitealearning
disability,heexcelseveryyear.Devontae'sADHDiscontrolledbymedicaon.
Healsotakesmedicaontocontrolhighbloodpressure.Heenjoysgoingon
oungsandplayingatthepark.Helikestolaugh,havefun,playwithcarsand
color.Devontaestrugglessomesocially,butismaturingwithage.
Devontaeisabrightyoungboywhoneedssomeonetoprovidehimaforever
family.Hewouldbenefitfromafamilywhohas metogivehimtheoneon
oneaenonheneeds.
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P A G E 1 0
Our Library is Now Online!Our Library is Now Online!Our Library is Now Online!Youcanviewacompletelistofyourlocalresources,searchbytopicorkeyword,
andeasilyreserveyourfavoriteitemsthroughournewconvenientwebsite!
Formoredetails,visitwww.childrensaid.org/apaclibrary
APAC Library.
Child of My Heart: A Celebraon
of Adopon byBarbaraAlpert.
Theonlybookofitskinda
beaufulcelebraonofalife
affirmingchoice.With
contribuonsfromMichelle
Pfeiffer,DaveThomas,PearlS.
Buck,andmanyothersbothwell
knownandlileknown,thislovelybookreveals
theexcitements,thefrustraons,andtheulmate
fulfillmentsoftheadoponexperience.Thisisa
booktoread,togive...andtotreasure.
Loved by Choice bySusanHornerand
KellyFordyceMarndale.Offeringa
clearandupliinglookatadopon
fromvirtuallyeveryperspecve.Itis
comprisedoftruestoriesthatreflect
thejoysandthedifficulesofthose
touchedbyadopon.Familiesworking
outanoverseasadopon,those
creanginterracialfamilies,
grandparents,birthmothers,andeven
birthfathersareamongthemanywhotelltheirstories.
Acvies That Teach by
TomJackson.Sixty
creave,innovave,
teacherprovenanduser
friendlyacvieswhich
willinfluencestudentbehaviorandatudesfor
alifeme.Theseacvies
covertopicssuchas
alcoholanddrugprevenon,
communicaon,problemsolving,working
together,decisionmaking,selfesteem,
character,goalseng,angermanagement,
stressmanagement,peerpressure,etc.The
acviesaredesignedforgradesthree
throughtwelve.Theacviesrequirevery
lileinthewayofpreparaonand
materials.Mostoftheacviesarefrom5
minutesto30minutesinlength.
Learning How To Learn byJosephNovak
andDr.BobGowin.Foralmostacentury,
educaonaltheoryandpraccehavebeen
influencedbytheviewofbehavioral
psychologiststhatlearningissynonymous
withbehaviorchange.Inthisbook,theauthorsargueforthepraccalimportance
ofanalternateview,thatlearningis
synonymouswithachangeinthemeaning
ofexperience.Theydeveloptheirtheory
oftheconceptualnatureofknowledge
anddescribeclassroomtestedstrategiesforhelpingstudents
toconstructnewandmorepowerfulmeaningsandto
integratethinking,feeling,andacng.Intheirresearch,they
havefoundconsistentlythatstandardeducaonalpracces
thatdonotleadlearnerstograspthemeaningoftasksusually
failtogivethemconfidenceintheirabilies.Itisnecessaryto
understandwhyandhownewinformaonisrelatedtowhat
onealreadyknows.
Horace byHollyKeller.Horace,aleopard,istheadoptedsonofgerparents.Every
night,atbedme,Mamatellshimhowhecametobetheirchild.ButHoracealways
fallsasleepbeforethestoryends.AsHoracegrowsolder,hebeginstowonderwhetherhebelongs reallybelongs withhisadoptedfamily.Herunsaway.
WhenMamaandPapafindhim,Horaceisglad.Andthatnight,ashegoestosleep,
heprovideshisveryownendingtothestoryhehasheardsooen.
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P A G E 1 1
Theholidaysareover.Now,what?Theholidayletdownisacommonphenomenonthatcanbe
replacedbyanewresolvetoworkbeerasa
family.Then,intheprocess,buildstrongerbonds
withinthefamily.
Rouneshavereturnedand
celebraonsarejustamemory.
Childrenwillbereturningto
schoolwithanewemphasison
gradesandlearning.However,
thisisagreat
me
for
ustolook
foropportuniestoenhanceour
childrenslearningexperiences
whilestrengtheningthefamily
bond.Formanyofourchildren,
thereintroduconofstructure
androuneisawelcomedevent.
Thesignificanceofarouneand
structuretoourchildrenisthatit
suggestsstabilityandgrounding.
Onecannotoveresmatethe
valueofposiverepeveacts
onchildrenwhomayhavecome
fromfamilieswhereeducaon
andselfworthwerenotvalued.
Thisthinkingisnot onlyreserved
forthechildwhoisdoingwellin
school,butalsoforthechildren
whoareexperiencinglearning
challenges.Theselearning
challengesforourchildrencan
emergefrommanydifferentsources.However,
parentledmovaoncreatesopportuniesforchildrentobecomemoresuccessfulinovercoming
thoseeducaonalchallenges.Researchhasshown
learningchallengesaremoremanageablein
familieswithstrongeraachmentbonds.
Many mes,familyleadersbuildtheirstructureon
rules,chores,andobedience.Thesearecertainly
importantconsideraonsinfamilyfunconing.Spending melearningasafamilyshouldplayan
equalpartinprovidingthatstructure.
Therearemanywinwin
opportuniesthatgroup
learningacviescan
enhance,especiallythe
posivecohesionofthefamily
unit. Afamilybookclub
encouragesconversaonand
includesallmembers
ofthe
family.
Cookingmealsasafamilyis
anotheropportunityforgroup
acvity. Somuchistaughtin
termsofselfimportance,
personalvalueand
importancetothefamilyasa
wholewhenamemberis
responsibleforacertain
poronofameal.
Theforeverfamilyisso
cricaltoteachingthechild
theirvalue,providingcomfort,
andsafetyinfamily.Each
personbringsaunique
presencetothefamilythat
makesthefamilyunitspecial.
Somemesweasfamily
leadersneedtorevisitthesevaluestoremindourselvesthatthejoyincelebraonisnot
ulmatelyinthegisorfood,butinthepleasureof
oneanother.Thepleasurefoundinoneanothercan
leadthechildtosuccessinschool,socialskillsand
ulmatelyahealthierfutureasawhole.
KaiMumpfield,LCSW
One cannotoverestimate thevalue of positiverepetitive acts onchildren who mayhave come from
families whereeducation andself-worth
were not valued.
Life After The Holidays
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