AFSN CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AFSN CALENDAR OF EVENTS
EDUCATIONAL FORUMS & WORKSHOPS
The forums sponsored by AFSN are designed to promote ongoing education for adoptive families while providing opportunities for networking and socializing. The forums feature a specific topic presented by an expert in that area. These are interactive presentations.
All forums will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Location: St. Andrews Episcopal Church (1025 3Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids), unless otherwise noted. Program fee: $5 per adult. Childcare is available for $2 per child. Pre-Registration is required. Register.

Thursday October 16, 2008 "Loss & Trauma" for the Adoptive Child" presented by Megan Bronson, PMHCNS-BC. This session addresses issues and provides useful tools to aide in the child's healing. "The life story of every child placed for adoption begins with loss and sometime trauma. It is precisely because of this reality that help is needed for the adoptive parents to understand their child's adoption related losses and placement experience. Doing so will help the child recover and fully move on with their individual process of development as a human being." Childcare is available for $2 per child. Pre-registration is required. Register.

Thursday November 20, 2008

"Adoptees - the lies we believe & the truth we need to know" presented by Carissa Woodwyk, MA LPC LMFT. This session will offer much needed insight to the thoughts many adoptees share and how you can best address the truth.
"Even in the case of open adoption there is so much that adoptive parents and even adoptees themselves do not know. Becoming more aware of what the truth really is will better equip adoptive families for success."
Childcare is available for $2 per child. Pre-registration is required. Register.

“Parenting Adopted Teens” Workshops

Please contact AFSN if you are interested in participating in this group.

	SUPPORT GROUPS
The cost for this group is $5 per adult (per month). Child care is available for $2 per child (per month). Pre-Registrations is required. Scholarships are available.

“Raising Healthy Families” Parent Discussion Group A monthly support group for parents hosted by AFSN on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6:30-8:00 pm at St. Andrews Episcopal Church (1025 3Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids). This group will provide parents with an opportunity to share about the challenges they face and offer ideas on raising healthy and happy adoptive children. It will also provide a great environment for parents to connect with one another. Childcare will be available for pre-registered children. *New participants are always welcomed. Register.*


"Embracing the Gift of Transracial Adoption" Parent Discussion Group This new group will feature books by Rhonda Roorda ("In Their Own Voices" and In Their Parents Voices"). Meetings dates are to be determined. Contact AFSN for more information.


	Teen Adoptee Discussion & Activity Group
Interested in joining? Please contact AFSN at adoptive@afsn.org or 616-458-7945.