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

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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.

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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.

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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

New TAC Class Forming Soon:

Training for Adoption Competency
The AAP is now accepting applications for our next Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) course starting in October 2024.  This is an exciting opportunity for clinicians to expand adoption competency and enhance their ability to understand and support the unique needs of adoptees, biological families, and adoptive/foster/kinship families.  Please see the TAC page for more information.  The application deadline is September 15th, 2024.

An Adoption Professional's Guide to School-Based Support - 1 CE

Free National Council for Adoption (NCFA) Webinar through September 30th, 2024

Free Code: BackToSchool24

Studies show that adopted children are referred for special needs support within the school system at twice the rate of non-adopted children. NCFA’s recent Profiles in Adoption research, also highlighted that the majority of families adopting from foster care have IEPs or 504 plans for their children. This course helps adoption professionals understand educational options and appropriately prepare and support parents who are navigating school-based support.

For more information on this webinar and continuing education credits please click here.

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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!

The next meeting is scheduled for 9/16/24.  Time and location to be announced closer to the meeting date.

Connecticut Adoption Community Network
195 Farmington Avenue, Suite 2000
Farmington, CT 06032-6020
adoption@uchc.edu

Virtual AAP Information Sessions:

The AAP offers monthly virtual information sessions to learn more about our services. Sessions are open to foster, adoptive, and guardianship families, DCF social workers, and community providers. To join a noontime session, click here. To join an evening session, click here. Please see flyer for times and additional information. 

Virtual Adoptive Parent and Guardianship Support Group

Facilitated by the Adoption Assistance Program and Family and Children's Agency

Fourth Tuesday of every month; 11 a.m.-12 p.m. or 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom

See flyer for registration information.

Featured Book: The Connected Parent: Real Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Lisa Qualls

"Parenting under the best of circumstances can be difficult. And raising children who have had a hard start in life often brings unexpected challenges. You may have discovered that the techniques that worked with one child are not working with another, especially a child who has joined your family after experiencing early childhood trauma.

Renowned child-development expert Dr. Karyn Purvis gives you practical advice and powerful tools you can use to encourage secure attachment in your family. You will benefit from Dr. Purvis' decades of clinical research and real-world experience. Coauthor Lisa Qualls demonstrates how you can successfully implement these strategies in your home, just as she did in hers.

You will learn how to effectively use simple scripts, nurture your child, combat chronic fear, teach respect, and develop other valuable tools to facilitate a healing connection with your child.

The Connected Parent will help you lovingly guide your children and bring renewed hope and restoration to your family. - Summary from book cover

 

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The Adoption Assistance Program embraces diversity and welcomes individuals and families of all backgrounds and experiences.