NCFA - Member Agencies Research project

Brother Wayne Allgaier, NCFA Constituent Services, received a request from a graduate student doing research on adoptees who have since become adults and have had children of their own. She is looking for adoptees who might be able to participate in a survey. Please read her brief recruitment statement below. If you feel this is something you might want to forward to individuals who might be eligible to participate, please fee free to do so.


NCFA is very interested in quality research about adoption, however you need to be aware that NCFA is not directly involved with this project, and you must make your own decision about participating. We appreciate your understanding. I’m sure Jessica would be happy to answer any questions you may have about her research. Her email address is jessicaeister@yahoo.com. If you would like to see her survey, it is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/adoptee. She has agreed to share the results of her research with NCFA.
 
Recruitment statement:
My name is Jessica Eister; I am a graduate student at Immaculata University. I am conducting a study that will look at themes experienced during pregnancy/childbirth among adult female adoptees along with demographic and adoption factors that may relate to these themes. The short survey can be completed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/adoptee . Your participation would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you in advance.
Jessica Eister
(610) 960-5941
jessicaeister@yahoo.com

2011 Adoption Tax Credit Forms and Instructions Available

If you adopted in 2011 (or had expenses in 2010 or earlier for a non-finalized US adoption), you most likely can claim the adoption tax credit with your 2011 taxes. The IRS recently released Form 8839 and instructions, which are necessary to claim the credit. This year's instructions have additional information about the documentation required to file for the credit.


To learn more about the 2011 credit, visit http://www.nacac.org/taxcredit/taxcredit2011.html.

Download the form and instructions:

• 2011 Form 8839

• 2011 Form 8839 instructions • (PDF)

The IRS has also created a special page for the adoption tax credit and plans to post additional information there as necessary. Visit the page.

A Home for Every Child

There are so many amazing people who are part of FSA!! We are spotlighting Becky Hanson, currently serving on the FSA National Board covering birth grandparents, and the amazing gingerbread house she made for the Festival of the Trees held in Salt Lake City. What a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season and spread the great news about adoption at the same time! Thank you Becky for all of your hard work and amazing talents!!

National Adoption Month

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month?? Join many members of FSA who are celebrating adoption in November by attending one of many great activities! Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about how to celebrate:

Follow this link to register online.

Also in November...

Have a great month!

National Council For Adoption (NCFA)

Many of you who attended the FSA National Conference in August saw a display table for the National Council For Adoption and heard from Charles "Chuck" Johnson about NCFA and the work the organization does for adoption. He spoke of a new position at NCFA this year, a missionary couple has been assigned to work with NCFA--Wayne & Vicki Allgaier. Wayne and Vicki attended the conference and encouraged members of FSA to also become members of NCFA. There is a new membership category for families and individuals who are interested in adoption.

Some of the values of membership are: NCFA’s working with legislators to make sure they are well informed as they consider legislation concerning adoption, to assure the support of healthy ethical adoption practices; the ability to participate in a members-only listserv, where you can communicate with other members who share similar interests and concerns and receive periodic postings from the NCFA office regarding what’s happening in the world of adoption. And, of course, there’s the bumper sticker!

So, for those of you who took home a membership application form, now is the time to fill it out and send it in. If you attended the  conference, your cost is only $25 for the year's membership. Otherwise, membership is $35 per year.

Information and the application form can be found at https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/for-families/for-families.html.

FSA Store, Vendors, and more!

Don't forget to take a peak in the FSA Store at the national conference. Several new items are available for purchase, inlcuding long-sleeve t-shirts and yoga pants! You will also find many selections from Deseret Book and vendor booths with a variety of items for your perusal!

It would also be great to check out our Pass Along Card table. We are setting aside this space for anyone interested in trading pass along cards or checking out what others have done and getting ideas to make your own cards. Take a card or leave a card, or simply get new ideas....it's a great way to share!

Birth Parents & Families Social

A quick note to all of you who are registered as birth parents or birth parent families. We are planning our second birth parents and families social this year following the banquet Friday night. If you attended last year and had a great time, make sure to tell everyone to come again! If this is your first time at the conference, join us for a lot of fun! Look for more details (and location) at the conference center. See you there!

National Conference News: Registration and Check-in Details

Anyone who has attended the FSA National Conference in the past knows that standing in line is part of "checking in" at the conference. Well, this year the National Board has made a plan that should help the check-in line move quickly and efficiently. How can you make your check-in quick and pain-free??

First, register online before the conference begins. This ensures you will have a printed name-tag and your information will be saved on the conference registration site.

Second, follow the signs at the conference center entrance to make sure you are in the correct line. There will be a line for those who have PRE-REGISTERED and another for those REGISTERING AT THE DOOR. (These lines will be designated with ropes.) Keep your head up, follow the signs, and ask a National Board member in a red shirt if you have any questions.

Third, pre-pay online!! This speeds up the registration process and helps the line keep moving. If you haven't paid online, you may pay with cash, check, or credit card.

Classes from LDSFS Workers

LDSFS workers bring a great deal of experience to their classes. Here is a sample of the offerings from them this year:

Nurturing Marriage
Adoptive couples in FSA are some of the best out there. But even the best couples can benefit from some marital enhancement. Experiencing infertility and the challenges of the adoption process can put a strain on your marriage. We are excited to have Spencer Zitzman joining us to teach us ways to make sure you are enjoying your marriage and even making it stronger through these tough times.

The Dance of Adoption: Understanding Birth Parents
Much like partners learning the intricate moves of a dance, adoptive parents and birth parents are engaged in a relationship where both are working to understand the expectations and desires of the other. Early in the relationship, the birth parent is clearly in the leading position, and the adoptive couple needs to learn how to follow that lead. Over time, the dynamics of the relationship change as the adoptive couple assumes the lead and may need to help the birth parent in the transition. Being aware of the often complicated and emotional aspects of the dance is the goal of the workshop taught by Kevin Theriot.

Chronological Age vs. Family Age: Attaching with an Older Adoptee
"Family age" is a way of looking at how relationships develop in a newly formed family with an older adoptee. If you have ever thought about adopting an older child, this class from Lisa Manery will teach you how to facilitate the attachment process with a child you haven't been raising from infancy.

Riding the Roller Coaster Called Adoption
Adoptive couples may face frustrations, fears, and other emotions while dealing with caseworkers, open adoption issues, legal issues, and other matters not commonly addressed. This panel moderated by James Wadman will help couples learn how to deal with these stressors and how to effectively communicate with each other, with their caseworkers, and with birth parents. It will focus on  how couples can get through the adoption process in one piece - and enjoy the ride!

For information on keynote speakers, childcare, the 2nd annual adoption art display, or the new expo, check out the links on the left sidebar. See older posts for more FSA Conference details.  

Classes from FSA Members

FSA is made up of some of the finest families around. Many of them have found unique opportunities through their own experiences to learn more about specific aspects of adoption. We're lucky to have several of them joining us at the National Conference to share their knowledge. Take a look at just a few of the classes FSA members are presenting:

Transracial Adoption: Parenting Your Child of Color
How is parenting a child of color different from parenting white children? Learn what you need to be aware of when adopting transracially. Explore race, racism, and the institutionalized inequities that will impact your child of color in school and society. Understand how to address race and bias with family, with friends, and in the media. Embrace the wonderful diversity of transracial adoption!

Children with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs 101
Are you considering parenting a child with disabilities and special health care needs, or are you already parenting a child with these challenges? You may have many questions, such as: What do I need to know as a parent? What can I expect? What will the school experience be like? This presentation will provide an introductory discussion. This FSA member (a.k.a. the Disability Diva) will share her unique perspective as an advocate, clinician, instructor, and now parent of children with disabilities.

Advocating for Adoption: Rooted in Your Heart!
Your adoption advocacy can make a huge difference. In this presentation we will discuss how, why, and with whom to advocate. We will also learn some essential facts that we can arm ourselves with as we make community presentations. Come learn how to make adoption advocacy fun!

Adoption in Children's Literature
Participants will learn how to evaluate and use children's picture books to promote adoption, aid communication about adoption issues, strengthen secure attachment, and encourage positive adoptive identity.

For information on keynote speakers, childcare, the 2nd annual adoption art display, or the new expo, check out the links on the left sidebar. See older posts for more FSA Conference details.