Helping Families

Training & Events

Teacher In-Service Program: Adoption and Non-Traditional Families in our Schools

Friends of Adoption presents an in-service program for teachers called "Adoption and Non-Traditional Families in our Schools." This program can be presented at an in-service, over lunch time, after school or anytime that works for the requesting school. The program length is 45 minutes. Following is the explanation that we provide to the school about the program.

Adoption and Non-Traditional Families in our Schools
We are all on a lifelong journey of discovering, "Who Am I?"; For a child who has entered his or her family through adoption, understanding adoption is part of that journey. As a professional, you will share in a part of that journey with these children.

Statistics show that in today's society, only 1 out of 4 children lives with his or her biological parents. As a result, your students belong to families that have come together in very different ways. Adoption is one of the ways that families come together; it is a valid way to build a family whose commitment is lifelong. Many children now days do not live in the "traditional nuclear" family. Children are being rasied in foster homes, adopted families, with one mom, or one dad, stepparents, grandparents, other relatives or may be homeless; These are the non-traditional families that our children are living in today.

Our workshop entitled "Adoption and Non-Traditional Families in our Schools" will give you some tools to guide you as you work with children who have been adopted or live in a non-traditional family. We will explain the use of Positive Adoption Language, and how it moves adoption from a negative choice to a positive choice in the lives of these children and all children, in giving them a better understanding of adoption. In addition, we will address some general information on adoptive families and present some developmental issues that children who entered their families through adoption face as they grow up.We also talk a bit about how trauma in a young child's life can effect them through their entire life and what it may look like.

We will conclude with some group discussion that will look at different class assignments and how to handle certain situations that might arise among peers, on playgrounds or in the classrooms of our schools. We will give suggestions on how to make a postive classroom enviornment for children who live in a non-traditional family. Examples would be: books, movies, discussions that you can present to your students. Our workshop is presented by members of Friends of Adoption in cooperation with area schools and the Department of Children and Family Services.

If you are a school and interested in this program please contact the Friends of Adoption Staff member in your area. If you are a parent and believe that this training would be good for your child's school please contact your Post Adoption Specialist in your area.

La Crosse: Email: Magen Duffy or call 608-782-0710 ext.223
Eau Claire: Email: Christy Reppe or call 715-832-6644 ext.19
Stevens Point: Email: Anne Rozeboom or call 715-344-2500 ext.24

 

 
   
Friends of Adoption Helping Families