Training & Education

A Conversation About Learning & School During COVID with Lori DeWitte, an Elementary School Principal

Recommended Audience:

• All audiences are encouraged to listen to this presentation

Lori is a Principal, Educator and adoptive parent. She shares tips for schooling kids on adoption and permanency journeys during Covid-19.

• Original date: May 11th, 2020
• Speakers: Lori DeWitte
• Moderator: Sylvia Gibbons, ACO PACT Parent Liaison

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM

ACEs, the Brain & Developmental Trauma Part 1: The Science & Why it Matters with Kathy Soden & Sylvia Gibbons, Adoption Council of Ontario PACT Team & DTAA Members

Intended audience: pre-adoptive families, adoptive, kinship and customary care families, adult adoptees and the professionals who support those on adoption and permanency journeys

Original air date: May 6th, 2021

Objectives:

• provide an overview of:
  • the Adverse Childhood Experiences study and its findings,
  • the brain science related to childhood trauma and adversity, and
  • what developmental trauma is all about
• explain why it’s important to understand these topics through the lens of adoption and permanency journeys
• introduce a discussion about the prevention and healing of developmental trauma which will be expanded upon in Part 2
• discuss the brain’s resilience and opportunities for strengthening neural pathways
• introduce Ontario’s Developmental Trauma Action Alliance and its goals
• provide relevant resources and further learning opportunities

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM

ACEs, the Brain & Developmental Trauma Part 2: Healing Through Adoption and Permanency Journeys with Kathy Soden & Sylvia Gibbons, Adoption Council of Ontario PACT Team & DTAA Members

Intended audience: pre-adoptive families, adoptive, kinship and customary care families, adult adoptees and the professionals who support those on adoption and permanency journeys

Original air date: May 13th, 2021

Objectives:

• focus on the understanding of developmental trauma through the lens and core issues of adoption and permanency journeys
• emphasize the importance of truly understanding children, youth and adults and their “internal working models”, so that parenting, child welfare work and therapeutic interventions can be set up for success
• expand on the introductory discussion of prevention and healing from part 1 and address what can help children, youth and adults who have been impacted by developmental trauma from the perspective of:
  • pre-adoptive families
  • adoptive, kinship & customary care families
  • adult adoptees
  • professionals
• address the importance of understanding developmental trauma and the lens of adoption by all of the systems (child welfare, education, health – physical and mental, family law, justice, etc) that work with people and families on adoption and permanency journeys
• provide relevant resources and further learning opportunities

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What is it?

ACT is a comprehensive adoption and permanency curriculum that provides intensive practice and clinically informed training to child welfare, mental health, adoption and permanency professionals, and community-based counsellors and therapists and service providers.

How long is the program?

ACT is a 48-hour curriculum. Sessions take place virtually twice per week in 3-hour increments, over a two-month period of time.

What is the cost?

The cost of the ACT training is $750/person.

Please note: Agency trainings can be arranged. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

How do I sign up?

Click the “read more” button to explore upcoming offerings.

This live webinar is currently not being offered. Please explore other live and on-demand webinars by clicking “Read More.”

Developmental Trauma & COVID-19: A Virtual DTAA Panel Discussion

Recommended Audience:

• All audiences are encouraged to listen to this presentation

Please join a DTAA panel for a live discussion about developmental trauma and COVID-19. Together we’d like to explore and learn more about the impact of COVID-19 on people with developmental trauma, talk about what can help and provide some helpful tips and resources.

• Original date: May 13th, 2020
• Speakers: Leticia Gracia, Dr. Charlie Menendez, Susan O’Quinn & Sylvia Gibbons
• Moderator: Kathy Soden, ACO PACT Manager & DTAA Chair

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM

Adoption & Your Extended Family Webinar with Sylvia Gibbons & Cindy Stewart

Recommended Audience:

• Those on permanency and adoption journeys as well as their family members and close support circle.

A presentation for your extended family members about adoption & permanency and how they can support you. Original date: June 1st, 2021.

Objectives:

• discuss language
• how to support those on pre-adoptive journeys
• how to support adoption and permanency families

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM

Internet & Social Media Considerations for Adoptive Families with Cindy Stewart, Child & Youth Worker & ACO PACT Trainer

Recommended audience: adoptive, kinship, customary care families

Goals: This Webinar will provide an overview about social media, how kids use it and some of the effects of it on our children. It will also discuss how parents can help their families navigate social media, including during these times of physical distancing. It will outline some of the risk factors involved and why our kids might be vulnerable to some of these risks. It will explain some of the platforms used and what parents need to be aware of. Suggestions for parents on how to teach your children about platforms and using devises and apps safely will also be discussed. Recorded on December 10th, 2020.

Objectives:

• Understand what social media is, how kids use it and its impact on our children and teens
• Be aware of some of the risks involved and why our kids and teens might be vulnerable to some of these risks
• Gain knowledge of Social media platforms
• Understand how to help our children navigate social media, including during this time of physical distancing
• Know where to find up-to date information to increase your knowledge

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM

This live webinar is currently not being offered. Please explore other live and on-demand webinars by clicking “Read More.”

Openness in Adoption with Pat Convery, RSW

Recommended Audience:

• Prospective and adoptive families, foster families and the professionals who work with them

Goal: To give an overview of Openness in Adoption from the perspective of benefits and challenges for all members of the family – birth family member, adopted child and adoptive parents. Additionally, to provide some tools and strategies for professionals and families to consider in making initial openness plans and navigating through challenges. Original date: March 2019.

Objectives:

• Discuss the importance of being well-informed about openness in adoption, pre and/or post-placement
• Review the benefits and challenges of maintaining birth family connections after adoption
• Provide an understanding of basic principles and elements to consider in making decisions about the level of openness that will be appropriate for a family
• Give concrete tips and strategies to help in making openness plans before placement and navigating challenges that arise along the way

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM

What is it?

Looking Through an Adoption Lens is an introductory workshop designed to enhance clinical practice working with families created through adoption, kinship and guardianship placements, in meeting often complex and challenging mental health related needs.

Older Child Adoption: Parent Centered/Child Focused Adoption with Elaine Ash, MSW, RSW, mental health therapist, and her adult daughter, Ashley, who was placed with Elaine six years prior.

Recommended Audience:

• Prospective and adoptive families and the professionals who work with them

Elaine and Ashley provide candid yet heartwarming insights into the unique challenges, feelings, beliefs and corresponding needs of older children who join their families by adoption.  The focus of this webcast is on the initial stages of placement. Not only do they discuss “gentle tools”, strategies and resources that can be used to facilitate a child’s adjustment and successful integration into a new family unit, but they highlight what parents can do for themselves and other family members (i.e., previously adopted children) when embarking on the lifelong journey to becoming a permanent family.

Goal:  To raise awareness about the common adjustments and corresponding needs of the older child and adoptive family members in the aftermath of an adoption placement/post-placement. Original date: March 2019.

Objectives:  By the end of this webcast, participants will be able to do the following:

• Define “older child”
• Enumerate qualities needed to assume a parent-centred/child-focused approach to adoption
• Identify the common feelings, challenges, beliefs and needs of older children who join their families through adoption and permanency planning
• Provide examples of common challenges, feelings and needs of adoptive parents and previously adopted children post-placement
• Outline the primary role and responsibilities of adoptive and permanency planning parents post-placement
• List gentle tools, strategies and resources that can be used to enhance the adjustment of the child to be adopted and other family members post-placement
• Discuss the importance of being well-informed about the topic, parent-centered/child-focused approach to parenting a child by adoption, pre- and/or post-placement

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

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Panel Discussion: Parenting Teens on Adoption & Permanency Journeys

Recommended Audience:

• All audiences are encouraged to listen to this presentation

You’re invited to a panel discussion with four of our PACT trainers on the joys and challenges of parenting teens on adoption and permanency journeys. We will also cover some of the additional considerations involved in parenting teens during this time of COVID 19 and physical distancing.

• Original date: April 30th, 2020
• Speakers: Laura Banks, Karen Moore, Jean Skelton & Cindy Stewart
• Moderator: Sylvia Gibbons, ACO PACT Parent Liaison

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM

Parenting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma with Karen Moore, MA, ECE, RSW

Recommended Audience:

• Prospective and adoptive families, foster families and the professionals who work with them

Karen provides an introduction to trauma and its impact on child and adult development, using an adoption-specific lens. Whether you are a prospective adoptive parents, an adoptive and permanency planning caregiver, or a professional, you will learn why it is critically important to learn as much as you can about this important topic, regardless of the child’s age at placement. Original date: July 2019.

Goal: To raise awareness about the impact of trauma on child development and adult development, and the corresponding needs of infants and children who join their families by adoption and permanency planning.

Objectives: By the end of this webcast, participants will:

• Explain the meaning of “trauma” and what it means from an adoption or permanency planning perspective
• Describe at least three symptoms or long-term emotional “reactions” that may be indicative of a trauma history
• Identify the impact of trauma on child and adult development
• Explain the correlation between loss and trauma
• Provide examples of trauma experienced by waiting children and children who have joined their families by adoption
• Identify examples of knowledge and skills needed by adoptive and permanency planning parents to successfully parent a child by adoption and permanency planning
• Explain how “relationship-based parenting” and “therapeutic parenting” contribute to healing for a child with a history of trauma
• List resources that can be accessed to heighten one’s understanding about trauma and adoption
• Discuss the importance of being well-informed about the topic, parenting children with a history of trauma, pre and/or post-placement

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

What is it?

This program is designed for Ontario-based adoptive, kinship, and customary care families who are parenting children who have experienced trauma and loss. The program empowers parents and caregivers to apply tools and techniques to effectively parent their children and help them heal.

How long is the program?

The eight-session Pathways to Permanence 2 program is offered to parents and other caregivers over an eight-week period of time. Sessions take place once per week.

What is the cost?

The program is entirely free to join.

How do I sign up?

Click “read more” to view upcoming sessions.

Permanency and Adoption Competency Training (PACT) Program Webinar with Kathy Soden & Sylvia Gibbons

Recommended Audience:

• Prospective caregivers, adoptive parents, foster parents & professionals

A presentation about the Permanency and Adoption Competency Training (PACT) Program at the ACO.

The Importance of Permanency for our Children & Youth with Kathy Soden & Aviva Zukerman Schure

Recommended Audience: 

• All audiences welcome

Goals: During this 90-minute webinar, we will explore the critical importance of lasting permanency to our children and youth. This webinar begins by providing an understanding of what permanency means and what permanency journeys are all about. It explores the outcomes for youth that “age out” of the child welfare system without finding lasting permanency. We then discuss the differences between surviving and thriving. The second part of the webinar focusses on what adoption and permanency can offer to children and youth and what permanency families and “humans” look like. Throughout the webinar we incorporate the perspectives of children and youth on permanency journeys and feature their thoughts, voices and art about permanency and adoption. Finally, the webinar provides information on next steps for those who are interested in becoming a family/human for children and youth, as well as for professionals who want to learn more about permanency and adoption journeys and how to work with all those on them. Original air date: October 7th, 2020.

Note: This webinar serves as Part 1 of the Never Too Late program’s Orientation for prospective families/humans.

Objectives:

• Learn about and understand what “permanency” means
• Gain a better understand of what permanency journeys are all about from a youth’s perspective
• Learn about the outcomes for youth “aging out” of the foster care system without permanency
• Explore the differences between surviving vs thriving in life & why permanency is critically important
• Learn what permanency can offer to children and youth
• Explore what permanency families and “humans” look like
• Listen and reflect on kids/youth thoughts and perspectives – what permanency means and feels like to them
• Learn how to find out more about being a family/human for kids who need lasting permanency
• For professionals, learn how to find out more about permanency and adoption journeys and how to work with those on them

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

This live webinar is currently not being offered. Please explore other live and on-demand webinars by clicking “Read More.”

The Importance of Siblings with Kate Mannion

Recommended Audience:

• Prospective caregivers, adoptive parents, foster parents & professionals

A presentation about the importance of siblings (birth & adoptive) throughout the life-long journey. Original date: February 2nd, 2021.

Objectives:

• Explore the experience of sibling relationships during a child’s involvement with child welfare
• Discuss the impact of decisions made in child welfare on the relationship between siblings
• Reflect on how sibling relationships can be further impacted by permanency decisions
• Discuss the complexities of newly forming sibling relationships
• Explore practical strategies to ensure both meaningful already established sibling relationships, and newly developing relationships

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PRESENTATION

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PRESENTATION PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM

Transitional Planning with Judy Archer, MSW, RSW

Recommended Audience: 

• Prospective and adoptive families, foster parents and the professionals who work with them.

For all parties to the adoption process—the child, the birth parents, the prospective caregivers, and the foster parents—particularly if they have been caring for the child for any length of time, adoption and permanency planning are profound, life-altering events. In this webinar, you will not only learn the goal and objectives for pre-placement visits, but concrete tools and strategies to facilitate the child’s successful transition to his/her new family.

Goal:  To raise awareness about the rationale for and elements of a transitional plan when moving children from one family to another.

Objectives:  By the end of this webcast, participants will:

• Gain insight into the impact of separation, loss and transitional planning on children-in-care
• Learn the 9-principles of practice that guide transitional planning
• Identify the 7-goals of pre-placement visits
• Discuss as many as 16 strategies, tools and techniques to facilitate a child’s successful transition
• Identify resources that can be accessed to heighten their understanding about transitional planning and the pre-placement process even further
• Discuss the value of being well-informed about transitional planning and the pre-placement process

Trauma & Loss: Creating School Communities of Well-being is a workshop designed specifically for teachers and educators to build greater awareness of how to create a school culture that emphasizes a positive, safe and welcoming environment for children who experience foster care, adoption and other situations that make them vulnerable.