Building Strong Foundations: Training with an Adoption Expert
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 (some required – see descriptions) 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 [email protected]. (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.
Required Trainings
- Families in ALL of our international programs are required to take the following courses: My Child’s Journey to Adoption, The Impact of Sexual Abuse in Childhood, and Once We Are Home: What To Expect (see below)
- In addition to the above, all families in our Latin American programs are required to take: The Dynamics of Adoption, How Your Attachment Style Affects Your Parenting, Latin American Cultural Awareness (see below)
- Families residing in Illinois are required to take: The Dynamics of Adoption (see below)
- Families in our Colombia program are also required to take: Birth Parent Search: Colombia Process Supported by ICBF (see below)
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 [email protected].
If a Prospective Parent requests an individual training session, the fee is double and the training will only be held in the Gladney office.
This training is a requirement for any Illinois family completing a home study with Gladney Center for Adoption and for all placement families involved in any of our Latin America programs, regardless of who is completing the home study. Training registration is required prior to the completion of the home study. (If this date does not work for you, please find another session on our website for the other available dates for the “Dynamics of Adoption” training. Each of these sessions are designed with your family and adoption in mind. The training sessions 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.
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. REQUIRED FOR FAMILIES ADOPTING FROM COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, OR ECUADOR.
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. REQUIRED FOR ALL FAMILIES IN ALL ADOPTION PROGRAMS.
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. REQUIRED FOR FAMILIES ADOPTING FROM COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, OR ECUADOR.
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. REQUIRED FOR ALL FAMILIES IN ALL ADOPTION PROGRAMS.
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. REQUIRED FOR ALL FAMILIES IN ALL ADOPTION PROGRAMS.
