This webinar will pick-up where Dr. Chasnoff left off in his popular book RISK AND PROMISE: The Brain, Biology, and the Adopted Child. The following topics will be covered:

• Assessment of risk at the time of considering adoption
• Recognition of behavioral difficulties and intervention strategies
• Case Studies
• Work sheet handouts
• Interactive polling with real time results
• Question and answer period

“I think there is a need for helping parents and adoption professionals understand normal child behavior as well as how and when to know when behavior moves beyond what is perceived as “normal” and how to manage behavioral difficulties.” Ira Chasnoff MD.
“We believe that understanding the importance of understanding behavioral patterns in children who might have been prenatally exposed to drugs as well as intervention options that help these children and families thrive in their new environments. In our opinion, Dr. Chasnoff is one of the leading experts in this field of medicine as well an advocate of adoption. This is one of the reasons we are so pleased to have him back for second webinar” Chuck Johnson, President and CEO National Council For Adoption.

This program is designed for Parents and Adoption Professionals.
This webinar is based on the published work The Mystery of Risk; Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy, And The Vulnerable Child, published by NTI
^* NCFA members should use their ID member number or contact us if you have lost or fogotten your number
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With many incorrect assumptions on risks associated with inter-country adoption, NCFA is pleased to showcase one of the leading published medical experts on this issue. As part of this presentation, participants received a PDF entitled, "Guidelines for Evaluating Growth" as adapted by Dr. Chasnoff.
This webinar helps answer questions and provides accurate information to help families and professionals more fully understand the risks and rewards of adopting an institutionalized child. Dr. Chasnoff will educate on:

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS),
• Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), and
• Assessing the general health of a prospective international adoptive child.

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Using a combination of lecture, presentation, surveys/polls, and interactive exercises, participants will be asked to question, assess, and re-assess various thoughts about achieving self-governance. They will consider several different philosophical theories/methods for examining moral decisions and behavior. After reviewing various methods for evaluating questions of ethics, participants will be charged with considering their own method for identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas as they move forward to improve their lives and the lives they touch.

Format: Lecture, interactive ethical dilemma polls, discussion of current adoption events, open question and answer, program evaluation

Our Presenters:
Heidi Cox is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the Gladney Center and has worked with Gladney for over 18 years. Additionally, she participates in the Bar Association, Texas Family Law Council, State Bar of Texas, Tarrant County Family Bar Association, and the College of the State Bar of Texas. Heidi received a B.A. from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX and a J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law. She has appeared on CBS, 48 Hours, and Miller's Law, with Arthur Miller. A frequent speaker, Heidi has been presenting adoption programs and papers to professionals and the community since 1990. As a child advocate, Heidi is involved with legislative initiatives in Texas to protect children and to promote positive adoption practices. She is also involved with adoption at the national level, serving as a board member for the National Council for Adoption. Heidi is experienced with International adoptions, assisting with agency placements from Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

Bill Rosen practices law primarily in the field of adoption and has offices in Valley Forge, Malvern, and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. He received a B.S. from the Pennsylvania State University, an M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas, and a J.D. from Widener University School of Law. He co-founded the adoption agency, La Vida International, in 1988 and currently serves as legal counsel and advisor to the agency. As Chair of the international adoption committee for the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Mr. Rosen is actively involved in liaison activities with multiple U.S. government offices responsible for adoption. He lectures frequently on international adoption and immigration law. Mr. Rosen is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Pennsylvania Academy of Adoption Attorneys, and the American, Pennsylvania, Chester County, and Montgomery County Bar Associations.
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Agenda Overview: Session 1

• Perspective
• What is the Purpose of a Family Assessment?
• What Makes the Task Difficult?
• Identifying Ten Common Parental Expectations and Management Strategies
• An Exercise in Asking the Right Questions the Right Way

Agenda Overview: Session 2

• Definition of Trauma‐Informed Care
• Definition of Trauma‐Informed
• Assessment/Preparation (TIAP)
• Essential Elements of Trauma Informed Assessment and Preparation
• Behavioral Questions for (TIAP)
• Adoptive Parents and the Impact of Their Own
• Personal Trauma: Raising the Question

Agenda Overview: Session 3

• Parenting Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused: What are we asking foster and adoptive parents to do?
• Preparing Parents to Understand the Impact of Living with Traumatized Children on Birth and Other Adopted Siblings

Jayne Schooler‐Author/Presenter
Jayne’s passion for over 20 years has been the training and education of adoption and foster care professionals and families. She has been a featured speaker at numerous state and national conferences and trains regularly for the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program. She is the author/co-author of five books in the adoption field.
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