Dynamics of Adoption Training
ALL families currently working with the Gladney Center for Adoption are welcome to register and participate for extra training hours. However, please note that this training is a requirement for any Illinois family completing a home study with Gladney and for all placement families involved in any of our Latin America programs, regardless of who is completing the home study.
The Training Session will cover important issues for parents to consider as they plan for an international adoption.
The curriculum includes: Expectations, Grief/Loss/Trauma, Seven Core Issues in Adoption, History In Adoption, Positive Adoption Language, Adoption as a Legal Process, Hague Convention, Voluntary & Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, Medical Risks, Risk Factors – Genetic/Emotional/Development/Language/Sensory/Fine Motor, Lifebook’s, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Sleep Struggles/ Feeding Issues/Attachment Issues, Self-Care, Post Adoption Services, TBRI, Searching for Birth Families, Obtaining Birth and Adoption Records, Blocked Care/Blocked Trust.
The Gladney Center for Adoption will hold the 'Dynamics of Adoption Training' on the following dates and times by Zoom for 2025.
- Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm EST
- Wednesday, May 28, 2025 | 9:00am – 1:00pm EST
- Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm EST
- Monday, November 17, 2025 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm EST
Additional hours of in person training hours are available on these dates if previously arranged with Misty Lucas.
Cost
FREE for Gladney Center for Adoption clients that have already paid for Gladney's Hague Training (CAF)
- $100 for Gladney clients (per family) that have NOT paid for Gladney’s Hague Training (CAF).
- $150 per session for clients (per family) from other agencies.
- Single applicants are welcome to bring a support person.
All participants must register online at least a week in advance. You may register here or by clicking the respective links below. All fees for the non-Gladney families will be invoiced for the training and fees must be received two days before the training. If fees are not received two days prior to the training, then participants will not be issued a certificate for the training. If there are any questions please contact Misty Lucas at 217-498-9700 or Misty.Lucas@Gladney.org.
If a Prospective Parent requests an individual training session, the fee is double and the training will only be held in the Gladney office.
Training with a Gladney Expert
The staff at Gladney are excited to join you on your international adoption journey! We feel that the best gift we can give you is training. We are never too old to learn and the dynamics of adoption are unique. It is our hope to provide opportunities for you as a parent to grow as you take on the role of parenting your child. We are here to support you! The following trainings are available to all home study and placement adoptive families. You may register here or by clicking the respective links below. If there is an issue with registering, please contact Misty Lucas at Misty.Lucas@Gladney.org. (Registration for each training closes 24 hours prior to the training.) Once you have registered, a Zoom link will be sent to you to participate in the training. Participants will receive a certificate of participation.
Available Trainings:
ICBF, as Colombia Central Authority, has created a free, compassionate, and very supportive process for searching for the biological family for adoptees 18 years of age and older. This process was created to safeguard the child’s best interests, uphold ethical and legal standards, protect privacy, and provide psychosocial support. The process designed by ICBF is intended to promote transparency, fairness, and the well-being of all parties involved in the search process. This training is Colombia specific.
As we all know, attachment is essential in all relationships. However, in adoption, the way we respond to our children’s needs is crucial due to their past experiences. Since we all bring our prior attachment experiences every time we interact and respond to our children’s needs, understanding how your attachment style influences the way you parent a child that comes from difficult circumstances will allow you to adapt your parenting approach to their unique needs. This self-awareness is essential for creating a safe and supporting environment for your child’s healing and growth. OPEN TO ALL FAMILIES IN ALL ADOPTION PROGRAMS.
One of the reasons for a child entering care is sexual abuse and, sadly, it has become more common. This type of complex trauma will have an impact on the lives of the children and the way they perceive others. Becoming a parent of a child who was a victim of sexual abuse needs specific preparation to continue to help them heal and build safe, protective, and unconditional relationships they need to thrive. OPEN TO ALL FAMILIES IN ALL ADOPTION PROGRAMS.
Offered to our families adopting from any of our Latin America Programs as a requirement – Colombia, Ecuador, and Dominican Republic, this training will help families understand a bit of the Latin American culture with some hints about the specific country they are adopting from, so families can learn about common behaviors and cultural differences. Though the training cannot cover the cultural variety, it will provide helpful information about some cultural cues of your child’s country of origin while in-country, as well as keeping it present as part of your child’s and family identity.
- January 15, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm EST
- April 16, 2025 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm EST
- August 20, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm EST
- November 26, 2025 | 3:00pm – 5:00pm EST
Latin America families must also complete the 'My Child's Journey to Adoption' and 'Once We Are Home: What to Expect' trainings. Both trainings can be found below.
This training provides a comprehensive viewpoint of your child’s emotional journey to be part of your family, while understanding the foster care system and its impact on the brain and the attachment cycle. Latin America families must complete this training.
Coming home with your child is a joy, but it also brings many changes and challenges. This training intends to help families be aware of those feelings and behaviors that may appear during this time. Adjustment takes longer than expected and having additional tools may help navigate those feelings and situations while helping your child cope with being in a new culture. Latin America families must complete this training.
