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.  

Early Registration Extended One Week

You can breathe a SIGH of relief!! The National Board has decided to extend the deadline for "early" registration to July 22, 2011. Remember that registration costs increase after this date...so register soon!

If you haven't seen it already, check out the conference breakout sessions here!

Read about those who will be performing and sharing their musical talent with us here and here!

Don't forget to check out the links on the left side of this blog...all the conference details are there!

Easy-to-Read Conference Schedule

It looks like some readers have had difficulty accessing the schedule from the link provided previously. Here is a scaled down version of the breakout sessions so that you can see what classes are being offered in each. Please note that this schedule may be subject to slight change.  Classes in blue text are geared specifically towards birth families. Again, this is only the breakout schedule. Don't forget that each day begins with a keynote address, Friday evening is the awards banquet, and Saturday after the birth parent panel is the raffle and closing.

Session 1 10:30 to 11:30	Session 2 1:00 to 2:00	Session 3 2:30 to 3:30	Session 4 4:00 to 5:00
Transracial Adoption Panel	Adoptee Panel	Ask a Birth Parent Panel	Whole Story Panel
How to Plan a Post-Placement Life	To Parent or to Place?	What Adopted Children Need from Their Birth Parents	Ask a Birth Parent  (what to expect from adoption)
Step by Step: Pregnancy to lacement	Husbands of Birth Mothers	Giving Back: How to make a difference as a bp volunteer	Birth Grandparent Volunteer Training
Openness in Adoption	Lifebooks	Understanding Birth Parents	Adoption Law
Bridging LDSFS and the Foster Care System	Adoption Advocacy	Intercountry Adoption	Disruption Prevention
Managing Emotions	Attuning to Your Child  Part I	Attuning to Your Child  Part II	Nurturing Marriage
FSA Leadership Training Part I	Adopting Children in Black and White	TRA: Parenting Your Child  of Color	TRA Open Forum
SATURDAY
Session 1 10:30 to 11:30	Session 2 1:00 to 2:00	Session 3 2:30 to 3:30	General Session 4:00 to 5:00
Hybrid Families Panel	Birth Father Panel	Foster to Adopt Panel	Birth Parent Panel
Grief and Healing	Communication: The Secret to a Successful Open Adoption	Self Esteem & Inner Acceptance
The Adoption Experience as a Birth Father	When Your Adoption Story Takes an Unwanted Turn
Infant Bonding	Infertility	Step by Step: What I learned along the way
Special Needs	Why FSA?	Getting Out There!
Adoption in Children’s Literature	Family Stages of Adoption	Preparing Children for the Playground
FSA Leadership Training: Part 2	Adoption Tax Credit	Avoiding Adoption Scams

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.  

First Class Talent at FSA Conference! Part II

If you've ever been to conference, you already know that some of the best LDS music artists share our love of adoption and, because of that, they are willing to share their talents with us at the national conference. We are pleased to announce another group who will be joining us this year:

Heartbound

 

Me'Chel Musgrave, Debbie Bastian, and Lori Hales comprise the group Heartbound.  Their unique blend of both music and motivational stories has delighted audiences throughout the United States.      

    

Heartbound has performed literally across America for various events such as; Carnival Cruise, American Mothers Inc. Conventions, World Senior Games, Franklin Covey, Tahitian Noni, Conferences for women's and youth organizations, business luncheons, private galas and coast to coast motivational programs.

They have been singing together for more than 20 years. As best friends they found that singing together consumes fewer calories than going to lunch regularly. Between them they have been married for a combined 89 years, have mothered 13 children, 6 adorable grandchildren and enjoy the support of their terrific families.  Like you, they live in the real world…They've experienced the joys of life as well as heartaches and disappointments. 

The group writes their own lyrics and composes their own music bringing their distinctive  brand of joy, peace and hope to their audiences. They have produced 8 CD’s and 2 Songbooks including their Christmas CD with renowned pianist Marvin Goldstein.  They have also recorded some popular Christmas and familiar upbeat tunes. 

Heartbound’s mission statement reads… "Reaching out with music to speak to the soul, give hope to the heart and spread joy for the journey."  Their hope and prayer is that you will feel this as you experience their music. You can find out more about Heartbound, their music, and their message at their website.  

Don't forget to enter to win a pair of tickets to the conference! For information on keynote speakers, childcare, the 2nd annual adoption art display, or the new expo, check out the links on the left sidebar.      

First Class Talent at FSA Conference! Part I

If you've ever been to conference, you already know that some of the best LDS music artists share our love of adoption and, because of that, they are willing to share their talents with us at the national conference. We are pleased to announce one of the groups who will be joining us this year:

One Clear Voice

With a combined total of over 100 years in performance and 75 years of studio vocal work, One Clear Voice unites four of the LDS music industry's most recognizable female voices— 

 Tanya Barkdull began a professional singing career at the age of twelve. Since that time, Tanya's voice has been heard on over 1,000 recordings from television, film, and radio including; The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Touched by an Angel, The Oprah Winfrey Show and Disney's 101 Dalmatians. Her voice has been heard from Canada to Mexico, and throughout Europe. She has sung with amazing recording artists such as Billy Dean, BB King, Collin Raye, Donny Osmond and Gladys Knight. The accomplishment she is most proud of is her family. She and her husband, Gavon, are the parents of four wonderful children. 

 Johanne Fréchette Perry was born in Montréal, Canada and grew up in the Los Angeles area where she joined the church as a teenager.  She has traveled the world with the BYU Young Ambassadors and graduated with a BFA in Music Dance Theatre.  For over 20 years she has been a studio singer and has been featured as a soloist on many LDS recordings.  She has delighted audiences across the U.S. and on PBS with her portrayal of early Utah settler Polly Matilda Merrill Colton in the show Polly: A One-Woman Musical, written by her husband, Steven Kapp Perry.  When not singing she keeps busy with her four children, organic vegetable garden, and teaching genealogy and drama at American Heritage Academy. 

 Tammy Simister Robinson, a Music Education graduate and vocal instructor, began writing and arranging songs in high school. Her works have earned numerous Awards of Distinction in the annual LDS Church Music Submissions. Her song May I Serve Thee was twice broadcast worldwide during the LDS General Women's Meeting and was printed in the Ensign magazine. Her voice has been heard on hundreds of recordings for over 20 years and she has released three solo albums of original songs and hymn arrangements, including The Color of Hope and In Thy Hands which together earned a combined total of four FCMA Pearl Awards. Tammy and her husband live in Midvale, Utah and are the parents of two children.  

 LaRene Tinney has traveled and performed in the U. S., Asia, Israel, Europe, the former Soviet Union and many other parts of the world. Before graduating from Brigham Young University, she was a member of BYU’s Young Ambassadors. For more than ten years she has enjoyed doing back-up and choral work with many talented artists, her favorites being the other OCV ladies. As an accomplished dancer and actress, LaRene has a long list of musical theater experiences. One of her proudest moments came on national television as she was asked to brag about her family on the “Oprah Winfrey Show”. She and her husband reside in Orem with their 4 children.  


Since their 2006 debut album, One Clear Voice has earned four distinguished awards for: Inspirational Album, Sacred Song, New Artist, and Group of the Year.  Their second album, “Go Without Knowing” was released in December 2009.  You can find out more about One Clear Voice at their website.


Don't forget to enter to win a pair of tickets to the conference! For information on keynote speakers, childcare, the 2nd annual adoption art display, or the new expo, check out the links on the left sidebar. 

WIN A PAIR OF NATIONAL CONFERENCE TICKETS

*This giveaway is closed and the winner has been notified by email*

Didn't win? Want another chance? Check out The R House and enter before Sunday, July 17, 2011

Don't forget...the deadline for early registration has been extended through July 22, 2011!!

The National Conference is quickly approaching.

We thought that with all the excitement of the conference, it would be a great idea to have a blog giveaway!

We are giving away a PAIR of National Conference tickets to a lucky blog reader ($80 value)!

You might be thinking, "Oh no! I already purchased my tickets!" Don't worry! We will refund you for two of those should you win.

If you would like to enter this giveaway, here is what to do:

•Leave a comment on this blog post.
•Include your email address in this comment.

Extra Entries are Available:

Leave an additional comment with your email address for each extra entry.

•"Follow" The FSA National Blog.
•Subscribe to The FSA National Blog.
•follow @NationalFSA on Twitter.
•Tweet about this giveaway, using @NationalFSA in your tweet! (This can be done once per day.)
•Become a fan of or "like" Families Supporting Adoption on Facebook.
•Blog about this giveaway on your blog, linking back to this post. Leave a link to your post in your comment.
•Add one of the Families Supporting Adoption blog buttons to your blog.
•Email your family and friends about this giveaway; send your email to fsablog at gmail dot com.

Don't forget to leave your email address so we can contact you should you win. Entries will be accepted until Thursday, July 14, 2010 at 11:59 PM MST. The winner will be announced the following day via email. The winner has 48 hours to respond. If they fail to respond, a new winner will be selected.

Good Luck!

The Fine Print:

This giveaway is for two full National Conference tickets only. The winner will be responsible for travel to the conference and hotel accommodations. This blog is run by a member of the FSA National Board who is responsible for the National Conference. This board member was not compensated for this post. Winner will be randomly selected.

Have you heard?!

Have you heard about the annual Families Supporting Adoption Conference? It's coming up soon! Here are just a few of the things people said about last year's conference:

"The keynote speaker was the highlight," and "The keynote address was engaging and inspiring."

"Good variety of classes."

"The music was wonderful!"

"I loved it. It was an amazing experience to help me learn, understand, and realize how many people are going through and have gone through what I am."

"The food was yummy!"

"FSA store had great resources."

"Wish it could have been longer."

"So many amazing classes and speakers."

"This has helped us as a first exposure to address a lot of our fears, worries, questions, etc. We feel educated and informed."

"I can't wait to come back."

"11 months post-placement and conference touched my heart. I loved it."

"Conference really helped me with some issues that I hadn't realized or addressed. Thank you."

"Things I loved: banquet, panels, class selection, organization, help, smiles!"

Don't miss out on this year's conference! Register NOW!