Providing post adoption support, including assessment, education, brief counseling and referral services to adoptive families and to families formed through guardianship.

SUPPORTING ADOPTIVE FAMILIES
Adoption is more than a way of building a family; it is a lifelong process of joys, personal growth, and challenges for all involved. At the Adoption Assistance Program we understand that families may need support from time to time. If you are an adoptive parent and have a question or concern, we are a phone call away.

SUPPORTING RELATIVE GUARDIANS
The placement of a child with kin offers the benefit of being raised by familiar people, staying connected to siblings, and supports a sense of identity and belonging. But kinship care has logistical, financial, and unique social challenges as well. If you are a relative guardian and need guidance, we are here to help.

SUPPORTING EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY PROVIDERS
If you are a teacher, school administrator, therapist, or other professional, we are here to support the work you do with adoptive and guardianship families. We offer informational meetings, training, consultation services, and more.
In the Spotlight
Virtual Adoptive Parent and Guardianship Support Group
Now being offered by the Adoption Assistance Program and Family and Children's Agency
Fourth Tuesday of every month beginning January 26th, 2021
11am-12pm or 6:30pm-8pm via Zoom
Please see the attached flyer for registration information.
DCF is Seeking Parents to Share Their Expertise:
In preparation for the implementation of CT's Family First Plan, DCF is seeking feedback from parents on the following topics:
Getting access and initial contact to services and support
Identifying a family’s needs and priorities
Connection to services and the benefit of the support
The ideal experience for families in Connecticut
Space is limited to 20 families per session. Please see flyer for more information and click here to register.
Connecting adoptive and kinship families, adoption professionals, and all those interested in adoption to form a strong, supportive, and resourceful adoption community.
The ACN meets twice a year. New members are welcome!
Please join us:
December 7th, 2020
9:30 a.m. to 11:00am
Via Zoom
R.S.V.P. to adoption@uchc.edu
Proactive Engagement:
The Adoptive Parent’s Responsibility When Parenting a Child of a Different Race
The National Council For Adoption introduces a new comprehensive resource for transracial adoptive parents.
Adoption Advocate Number 146 - Ebony Mack, MSW and Kristen Hamilton, MA
Talking with Children About Race and Racism - PACT: An Adoption Alliance
Check out numerous articles and videos and learn how to have meaningful conversations with children about this important topic.
Resources for Parents Regarding the Coronavirus:
Kids and Quarantine Fatigue - Yale New Haven Hospital
COVID-19 Expanded Unemployment: Who's In and Who's Out?
CT Children's Medical Center - Back To School Kit
Stressed about whether to send your child back to school, and need help thinking it through? Worried your child will struggle with new routines, and want tips to make things easier? Here’s all the information you need, straight from our pediatric experts.
Visit our COVID-19 Resources Page for more resources and information.
Exciting Training Opportunity for Child Welfare and Mental Health Professionals:
NTI is excited to announce the launch of two new free web-based training initiatives to build the capacity of child welfare and mental health professionals to effectively support children, youth, and their foster, adoptive, and guardianship families.
NTI’s trainings provide the skills, strategies, and tools professionals need to:
- Support children to heal from trauma and loss.
- Provide parents with skills to parent more effectively.
- Collaborate effectively with child welfare and mental health professionals.
- Improve outcomes for permanency, child well-being, and family well-being and stability.
To learn more information about this exciting opportunity, please visit the NTI website.
The CT Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) invites you to join them online for information, resources and support.
CPAC has been connecting daily with the Connecticut Bureau of Special Education and
has been working on additional guidance for families with children with disabilities.
Visit this page for more information.
Reaction Versus Response: Are you reacting or responding? What's the Difference?
An article from The Institute for Attachment & Child Development April 2020