Adoption and Permanency Education Month

During November (which is Adoption Awareness Month in North America), the ACO provides education and connection for those impacted by adoption and permanency in Ontario. We offer a variety of presentations for all members of the galaxy.

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ACO 2024 Education Month Sessions

Moments & Stories Across the Lifelong Journey of Adoption & Permanency

Opening Keynote
· Friday, November 1 – 12pm ·

Join ACO’s Executive Director, Karen Moore, who will welcome you to the launch of Education & Adoption Awareness Month 2024. She will talk about the importance of the month, some highlights to look forward to, and our overall theme – Moments & Stories Across the Lifelong Journey of Adoption & Permanency

For all

Keynote Presentation: The Moments & Life In Between
· Tuesday, November 5 – 7:30 pm ·

Wendy Rowney, an adopted person, advocate for adoption disclosure and a member of the ACO’s Education Advisory Committee will deliver a Keynote presentation about moments in adoption & permanency journeys and their importance. With reference to the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim and the story of Into the Woods & what comes after “happily ever after” this will be a presentation not to miss.

For all

Professional Day Part 1: Applying What We Know About Grief & Loss to Support Parents
· Friday, November 8 – 9:30 am to 3:30 pm ·

ACO will facilitate an engaging and interactive workshop for professionals that will support you in your work particularly with families on adoptive, kinship & permanency journeys. With the use of recorded and live role plays we will start the day by experiencing how unresolved grief can impact parenting and how best to support parents through the process of resolving their grief and losses. In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to observe the differences between typical/common parenting and therapeutic parenting and the impact the different parenting approaches have on a child’s relationship with their parent over time. Throughout the day there will be opportunities for discussion and sharing.

For adoption practitioners, child welfare, mental health and other professionals working with adoption & permanency galaxy members.

Moments
· Week of November 11 -15 ·

Daily release via social media of “Moments” by ACO Education Advisory Committee members

For all

Youth Speak
· Thursday, November 14 – 7:30 pm ·

In this engaging session, our Youth group participants will take the stage to share updates on their exciting and impactful projects. These young leaders are currently working on a documentary that delves into their experiences, writing a book filled with invaluable advice for adoptive parents, and launching a business designed to support their ongoing initiatives.

Moderated by: Sylvia Gibbons, ACO Youth Liaison

Speakers: ACO Youth group members

For all

So What’s All This Talk About Therapeutic Parenting? …For adoptive & permanency parents
· Tuesday, November 19 – 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm ·

With the use of recorded and live role plays you will learn what parenting “differently” through your child’s ages & stages is really all about and why this approach is crucial for building a strong, healthy relationship with your child. We will also address the significant role that unresolved grief can play in your parenting journey and how it may affect your ability to adopt this approach. We will also spend time talking about parenting with a partner and the challenges of presenting a united front even when parents are at different stages of resolving grief and shifting their parenting styles.

Facilitators: Karen Moore, Dianne Mathes & Sylvia Gibbons

For adoptive & permanency families

*Sponsored by Avocette

So What’s All This Talk About Therapeutic Parenting ? …For kinship parents & caregivers
· Wednesday, November 20 – 9:30 am to 12:30 pm ·

With the use of recorded and live role plays you will learn what parenting “differently” through  a child’s ages & stages is really all about and why this approach is crucial for building a strong, healthy relationship with the child you are parenting. As a kinship parent, you may not have realized that grief would be part of the journey. This workshop also address the significant role that unresolved grief can play in your kinship parenting journey and how it may affect your ability to shift to a more therapeutic approach.

The workshop will also spend time talking about parenting with a partner and the challenges of presenting a united front even when parents are at different stages of resolving grief and shifting their parenting styles.

Facilitators: Karen Moore, Dianne Mathes & Sylvia Gibbons

*Sponsored by Avocette

For kinship parents & caregivers

Professional Day Part 2: Centring The Voice of Adopted People
· Friday, November 22 – 10 am to 3 pm ·

Building on the insights gained from Part 1 of our professional training, this session will shift focus to the voices, experiences, and perspectives of adopted adults. This training day is designed to help adoption professionals deepen their understanding of adoptees’ experiences across the lifespan and integrate this understanding into their work with families and individuals navigating adoption and permanency journeys.

Through interactive discussions and real-life case studies, you will gain valuable insights into the lifelong impact of adoption from those who have lived it. Additionally, we will provide you with a framework to educate and guide the parents you support, helping them to better understand and respond to their children’s needs.

Facilitated by: Dianne Mathes, Karen Moore & Dawn Tracz

For adoption practitioners, child welfare, mental health and other professionals working with adoption & permanency galaxy members.

The Journey from Infertility to Adoption & Permanency
· Tuesday, November 26 – 7:30 pm ·

A panel discussion about the journey of infertility to adoption & permanency. Our panellists are professionals in the adoption & permanency field and adoptive parents. The panel will talk about the challenges and grief of infertility, what’s involved in moving to the commitment of adoption and the lifelong journey that adoptive & permanency families become a part of.

Moderator: Dawn Tracz, ACO PACT Manager & adopted person

Speakers: Elaine Ash, Elaine Falzon, Teresa Jarosz, Dannielle Samuels

For pre-adoptive families & professionals

Closing Keynote
· Friday, November 29 – 12 pm ·

Karen Moore, the ACO’s Executive Director, will close the month and talk about the importance of moments in adoption and permanency and life in between. She will encourage reflection and listening, and talking together about adoption and permanency journeys. She will also share some great resources and preview next steps in the ACO’s ongoing journey to support everyone living adoption and permanency journeys.

For all

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Passes

Galaxy Pass: Free

Professional Day Pass:  Early Bird – $75 per workshop or $125 for both until October 31st; Regular Price – $90 per workshop or $150 for both as of November 1st.*

*Cancellation Policy: Professional Training Day Tickets can be cancelled up to 1 week prior to the start of Education Month (November 1st); a $35 administrative fee will be subtracted from each refunded ticket total.