Vol. 9, No. 1• November 2004
North Carolina Holds Conference to Support Adoptive Families
As part of its ongoing efforts to support adoptive families, the North Carolina Division of Social Services held “Rekindling the Spirit, Celebrating the Family,” a post-adoption services conference in Greensboro on August 13–15, 2004. The conference was funded with federal incentive monies North Carolina received as a result of its excellent performance in placing foster children in adoptive homes.
By all accounts, the event was a huge success. Despite the approach of Hurricane Charley approximately 1,000 adoptive family members showed up for the conference, including parents, birth children, and adoptive children. Participants also included representatives from the faith community, county departments of social services, and agencies working with children with special needs.
Amelia Lance, a program consultant with the Division, says the biggest challenge in planning the conference was finding child care and creating programming for approximately 600 children between the ages of one and 17 so parents could attend workshops. To meet this need, Lance says, “we had 64 child care providers and state staff working with the kids to make sure they had an enjoyable, fun-filled, safe day.” Programming for school-aged children and teens included workshops on substance abuse, lifebooks, safety, and motivational speakers. Kids were also treated to a step show, juggling talent show, drumline, storytelling, tumbling activities, arts and crafts, movies, and many opportunities to network and bond with other adoptive children.
One little girl had such a great time she said she wanted to stay at the conference “for a month.”
For many participants the most moving part of the conference occurred when teens came together to reflect on their experience through poetry, rapping, songs, comedy. Many teens gave powerful testimonials of what it means to them to be in loving adoptive home.
The conference offered adults intensive preconference institutes and more than 40 shorter workshops. Preconference institutes addressed topics such as reactive attachment disorder, adoption support groups, behavior management, and parenting children who have been sexually abused. Regular conference workshops addressed many topics, including post-adoption support, cultural diversity, self care, and “For Women Only,” during which participants were pampered with make-overs, manicures, etc. The conference’s “Regional Roundtables” also gave families, communities of faith, and agencies a chance to begin partnering to develop resources to support and strengthen adoptive families.
Child care and children’s programming continued well into the evening so that adoptive parents could attend a banquet in their honor. At the banquet Ruth Amerson, founder of Another Choice for Black Children, gave the keynote address and a local band provided music for parents’ dancing and listening pleasure.
Many participants reported that they found the conference to be uplifting, stimulating, informative, and inspiring. Others praised it as a wonderful opportunity to get to know other adoptive families—to share triumphs and trials and begin new friendships. The NCDSS’s Amelia Lance says, “We have received several inquiries about making this an annual event!”
Copyright � 2004 Jordan Institute for Families
