As we enter this world, we do not always know what paths our lives will take, or which paths we will choose for ourselves. These paths could take us down dark valleys and through beautiful tall mountains and we learn along the way.

The Gladney Center for Adoption believes that every child deserves a loving and caring family. As international and foster adoptions continue to evolve into older child, special needs and sibling set adoptions, the parental requirements for a successful adoption continue to evolve as well. No longer is traditional parenting sufficient in caring for kids from “hard places”. Research is clear that parenting a child that has a history of loss, abuse, neglect or trauma requires additional insight and parenting skills to create a loving and caring environment for the emotional, physical, psychological and mental growth of a child. Parental preparedness is a cornerstone in further ensuring successful adoptions.

It is for this reason that the Gladney Center for Adoptions created the Pathways adoption training. This is a two-day training program offered several times a year at Gladney's Fort Worth campus. This training is facilitated by our Clinical Team and is designed to prepare and empower adoptive parents with new insights and research-based treatment models on how to engage children from hard places. Gladney believes that it is best practices in adoption to have a trauma-informed training which covers brain development, sensory needs, effects of abuse and neglect, parenting styles and attachment and behavior change techniques. It is for this reason that all families adopting internationally and through the New Beginnings program are required to attend the Pathways training before they are approved to complete their adoption. 

Contact Pathways Staff

Main Office

Gladney Center for Adoption
6300 John Ryan Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122

Email: postadoption@gladney.org
Office: 817.922.6044