Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries

We are delighted that you are interested in adopting an older child or children!  You are in for quite an adventure.  There is nothing quite so rewarding, tiring and sometimes terrifying as bringing a child over the age of three into your home.

We want you to be as prepared as possible for the issues with which your child or children may present you.  It is very hard for us in our comfortable American lives to remotely imagine what these children have gone through.  The have lost at least one parent, they have often lost siblings, many have lived on just one meal a day, some have had little opportunity to attend school and many have spent time in an institution.

Many of us learn about these children and have a strong desire to “rescue an orphan.”  But that isn’t enough to get you through the challenging times ahead.  It is easy for us to think the children will be grateful, happy and excited to join our families.  And they may be, but they also may be angry, frightened and lonely.

Much is available about adoption, but little is available from a Christian perspective.  This training session will cause participants to thoroughly consider what Scripture says about adoption and risking for the kingdom.  The entire session is presented from a Christian world view and helps families consider the difference that focus inevitably will bring as they parent adopted children.

In order to make older child placements successful we offer families a two-day intensive training workshop in Spokane, Washington.  We understand that this adds an additional expense to what may already be a stretch financially, but we believe that this training is an essential piece in making older child adoptions successful.  We have seen older child placements disrupt after a few months and we want not only to prevent this, but to make the placements as joyful and positive for everyone as possible.

This training is specifically designed for Christian families adopting children over the age of three, but is appropriate for families adopting younger children as well.  Although primarily designed for families adopting internationally it is also beneficial for families adopting through the U.S. foster care system.

Details:

I.           Training is held in Spokane, Washington and is offered four times a year, on a Friday and Saturday.

             (See training schedule below for the dates.)  Training dates subject to change

II.               The fee for the training weekend is $250 per family.  This includes both prospective parents as well as any teenage children families may wish to bring.

III.             Training is appropriate for families adopting from any country as well as through the U.S. foster care system. 

IV.             Transportation and lodging (Location may vary)

A.    Families are to make their own travel arrangements and notify Kingdom Kids staff of arrival times.  Families are encouraged to arrive the evening before the event in order to participate in the entire training session.

B.    Kingdom Kids can make arrangements to have families met at the airport if they are unable to make it on an airport shuttle. Kingdom Kids staff can transport families from their hotel to the training location, if needed.

C.   Most of our conferences are held at our office: 1417 N Lincoln Street, Spokane, WA 99201

V.                Family Members

A.    Teenagers may attend at no additional charge.  However, we need to know how many will attend in advance.  The training would be very valuable for teenagers who will have adopted siblings.

VI.             Schedule for training:  (schedule may vary depending on schedules of the speakers)

Day One
 

8:30 – 9:00                       Introduce families

9:00 – 10:00                     Background information on why children are available for adoption around the world.  Explain why parents place children for adoption.  Video clips of Dr. Mary and of Tadesse mom.  Explain how it can fall through.

10:00 – 12:00                   Attachment and bonding issues

12:00 – 1:00                     Lunch  (provided)

1:00 – 3:00                       Grief and loss issues

                                         Family dynamics issues

                                         Healthy parenting

3:00 – 3:30                       Break (look at resources, etc.)

3:30 – 5:00                       Becoming a conspicuous family

                                                  -  Multi-racial family issues

                                                  -  Large family issues

                                                  -  Physically challenged children issues

                                                  -  Dealing with Child Protective Services

4:00                                  Panel of older adopted children

Day Two
 

8:30 – 9:00                       Medical issues

9:00 – 9:30                       Educational issues

                                                  -  types of schooling

                                                  -  grade placement

                                                  -  English language learning issues

9:30 – 10:00                     Blending bio and adopted kids

                                                  -  Panel of siblings of adopted children

10:00 – 11:00                   Travel issues

11:00 – 12:00                   First days home

12:00 – 1:00                     Lunch  (provided)

1:00 – 2:00                       Sexual abuse issues

2:00 – 2:30                       Cultural awareness issues

2:30 – 3:00                       Break (look at resources, etc.)

3:00 – 4:00                       Panel of families who have already adopted older kids

4:00 – 4:30                       Disruption issues

4:30 – 5:00                       Wrap up

VII.          Expenses

A.    Families are responsible for their own airfare or driving expenses and their lodging expenses.

B.     Families are responsible for meals not provided by Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries.

VIII.       Fee

A.    The cost of the training is $250 per family, payable prior to the training weekend.  Payment is to be made to Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries and may be by check or Visa or MasterCard.  Families may register by phone at 1-877-465-3520 or via email (donnab@kingdomkidsadoption.org).

B.     Fee includes training by licensed, experienced attachment therapists, other specialists, and experienced Ethiopia adoptive parents; two lunches; training materials; and numerous fun items to encourage families.

IX.             Training dates

Scheduled training dates for 2010 are:

    •  January 15-16, 2010

    •  April 16-17, 2010

Please contact Donna Bost with any questions about the training sessions or to register. 

She can be reached at 1-877-465-3520 or by email at donnab@kingdomkidsadoption.org   

(Training dates and schedule subject to change)