The UConn Health Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) offers workshops on the following topics. Content may be tailored to meet individual group needs and interests and range from a twenty minute program presentation on the AAP to a two-hour topic focused workshop. School systems, professional agencies and adoptive or guardianship support groups are welcome to contact the AAP at 860-679-4006 for more information or to schedule.
Adoption Assistance Program Informational Session
Participants will learn about post adoption benefits and services in Connecticut including the scope of services available through the UConn Health Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) to families formed through adoption and legal guardianship. This offering may be expanded to include exploration of risk and protective factors for post adoption success.
Knowing Their Story: When Is The Right Time To Tell Adoptees About Adoption?
This workshop will review the reasons families have historically kept adoptions secret in the past. The presenters will introduce appropriate adoption competent language to use. The session will then offer the attendees concrete ways to introduce difficult information to adoptees based on their age in an age appropriate manner based on their stage of development. The information presented will be in based in part from the text: Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child: Making Sense of the Past by Betsy Keefer Smalley and Jayne E. Schooler.
Life Books
Parents and professionals will learn about life books, including what they are, why they are important and how a child’s information should be shared. Information on how to gather information, construct a child’s story and include a child in the process will be explored. This workshop includes integration of Darla Henry’s 3-5-7 Model©.
Taking Adoption to School
While this training focuses on the needs of adopted children in classroom settings, it provides guidance around constructing curricula to insure inclusion of any student being raised in a non-traditional family. Teachers and school professionals will understand how a child’s experience with trauma may impact school behavior and academic performance. Participants will learn ways to create safe classroom environments conducive to learning. This two-hour training is free and available upon request. Contact Jane Michaud for additional information janmichaud@uchc.edu.