Adoption Star

Preparing Extended Family for Older Child Adoption
2024-05-28 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and friends are all impacted when a child or sibling group is adopted into their family

Adoptive parents often spend a significant amount of time educating themselves about the unique needs of children in the foster care system and specific issues of adoption, but what about other members of the extended family and community who may not understand the issues as well? This webinar will address common concerns extended family members may have, present information on typical experiences of children in foster care, and provide ways extended family can help integrate the child into their family. Extended family members are welcome and encouraged to participate in Adoption STAR’s webinar to better prepare them for an older child joining their lives through adoption.
After registering you will receive instructions on how to join the online event.

Contact Adoption STAR at 866-691-3300 or via email at info@adoptionstar.com or visit our website for additional events https://www.adoptionstar.com.

Spring Gathering in NYC
2024-06-01 12:00 - 14:00 | The Center, 208 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011, New York, NY, 10011
Families will have the opportunity to connect with other adoptive families in the area.
Children’s crafts, activities and snacks will be available.
Families who have adopted, as well as those along the journey to adopt are invited!

Spring Gathering in NYC
2024-06-01 12:00 - 14:00 | 208 W 13th St, 208 West 13th Street, New York, NY, 10014, United States
Adoption STAR’s gathering for NYC Families

Families will have the opportunity to connect with other adoptive families in the area.
Children’s crafts, activities and snacks will be available.
Families who have adopted, as well as those along the journey to adopt are invited!

LOCATION:
The Center, 208 W 13 StNew York, NY 10011

Annual APC (Adoptive Parents Committee) Adoption Conference
2024-06-02 | St. John’s University, Queens Campus, 8000 Utopia Pkwy, Jamaica, New York, 11439-9000
Please join Adoption STAR at this special conference presented by the Adoptive Parents Committee (APC). This daylong or weekend long conference is perfect for those just thinking about the adoption process, as well as those who have already adopted. There are several workshops to choose from, with many adoption professionals present. http://www.adoptiveparents.org/

A-OK Q&A Sessions
2024-06-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-07-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-07 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-04 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-02 12:00 - 13:00
Exploring adoption of older children

Those interested in Adoption STAR’s A-OK Program, as well as those exploring adoption of older children can ask all questions relating to older child adoption. The Q&A is an informal opportunity to gain answers to everything you are wondering about as it relates to children being placed from foster care.
After registering for this Q&A session you will receive instructions on how to join the online event.
To register for future Q&A sessions click HERE

Adoption STAR Online Adoption Information Session
2024-06-18 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-08-08 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-10-08 18:00 - 19:30
Building Families Through Adoption

Become introduced to Adoption STAR’s A-OK (Adopt an Older Kid) program and the policies, procedures, and services offered to clients interested in adopting an older child.
After registering for this information session you will receive instructions on how to join the online event.
Contact Adoption STAR at 866-691-3300 or via email at info@adoptionstar.com or visit our website for additional information session dates https://www.adoptionstar.com.

National Council For Adoption Conference
2024-06-26 - 2024-06-28
Location: Fort Worth, TX
The community of adoption professionals will gather to grow in understanding of adoption principles and root themselves within the adoption community. The National Adoption Conference gives you an opportunity to branch out of your comfort zone as you meet new colleagues and explore challenging, innovative adoption concepts. Collaborate with practitioners and leaders from across the country through two and a half days of content-focused sessions to develop united goals for increased consistency and excellence in the field of adoption. Social work CEU will be available.
http://adoptioncouncil.org/

Join our Monthly Volunteer Committee!
2024-07-16 12:00 - 12:30, 2024-09-17 12:00 - 12:30, 2024-10-15 12:00 - 12:30
Come and be a part of our awesome Volunteer Committee, where we forces online to make a positive impact together!

Adoption STAR Online Adoption Information Session
2024-07-16 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-09-25 18:00 - 19:30
Building Families Through Adoption

Become introduced the Adoption STAR agency and the agency’s policies and procedures, including the many services and programs we offer.
After registering for this information session you will receive instructions on how to join the online event.
Contact Adoption STAR at 866-691-3300 or via email at info@adoptionstar.com or visit our website for additional information session dates https://www.adoptionstar.com.
REGISTER HERE FOR UPCOMING SESSIONS

Families Rising Conference
2024-07-18 - 2024-07-19
Date: July 18 – 19, 2024
Location: Virtual
The conference has sessions designed to inspire, inform, and encourage all members of the adoption community, including adoptive parents raising children with special needs, professionals seeking families for older children, mental health or other professionals supporting adoptive and foster families, international adoptive parents, adopted persons, and others with personal or professional connections to adoption. https://www.nacac.org/get-training/conference/

Volunteer at Adoption STAR's Adoptive Family Summer Picnic
2024-08-04 11:00 - 16:00 | Ellicott Creek Park, Shelter 8, Tonawanda, NY, 14150, United States
Come join us at Adoption STAR’s Adoptive Family Summer Picnic on August 4th at 3:00 PM – we need volunteers like you!

Volunteer at Adoption STAR Summer Picnic
Join us at Ellicott Creek Park for a fun-filled day of helping out at our annual Adoptive Family Summer Picnic event! As a volunteer, you’ll have the chance to assist with various activities, from setting up to food organization and helping with Children’s Activities. It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community and support a wonderful cause. Come be a part of this heartwarming event and make a difference in the lives of families and children.
Volunteers are asked to arrive at Shelter #8 at 11 am. If you are unable to stay for the entire event, the most needed help is 11am-1pm for set up.
If you have any questions contact kristin at kristin@adoptionstar.com or call 716-639-3900

Annual Adoptive Family Summer Picnic (Buffalo, NY Area)
2024-08-04 13:00 - 16:00 | Ellicott Creek Park, Shelter 8, Tonawanda, NY, 14150, United States
Please join Adoption STAR adoptive families, staff and their families, for a spectacular afternoon!

Welcome to the Annual Adoptive Family Summer Picnic in the Buffalo, NY Area! Join us on Sun, Aug 04, 2024 at Ellicott Creek Park for a day of fun, food, and family. This in-person event is a great opportunity to connect with other adoptive families in the area and enjoy a beautiful summer day outdoors. Bring your favorite picnic blanket and dishes to share as we come together to celebrate the bonds of adoption. Don’t forget sunscreen and your favorite outdoor games for a day of laughter and memories with your adoptive family community.
Families who have adopted through Adoption STAR, as well as those along the path to adopting are invited!
This event is rain or shine! We will communicate via email, if the event is cancelled due to severe weather.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Please sign up HERE if interested.
For more information contact us at 866-691-3300 or email info@adoptionstar.com.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Sponsored by
Wells Fargo Advisors
John Chiarenza

Teen ACE (Adoptee Circle of Experience) (Virtual)
2024-08-14 17:30 - 19:30
For Adoptee Teens Only Ages 13 – 18

Adoptees ages 13 – 18 are welcome to join in on an interactive discussion on many hot topics such as school, bullying, prejudice, the highs and lows of being an adoptee, a son, a daughter, a sibling, friend, and student. Join us!
After registering for this information session you will receive instructions on how to join the online event.
Contact Adoption STAR at 866-691-3300 or via email at info@adoptionstar.com or visit our website for additional information session dates https://www.adoptionstar.com.

Private Track Training
2024-08-15 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-10-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Webinar
For clients of Adoption STAR who are currently in the Private Track Program

Adoption STAR’s Agency Assisted Private Adoption Program, often referred to as “Private Track,” provides increased opportunities to adopt an infant. This creative and flexible program will teach you how to advertise yourself with the training, guidance, and support of the agency. With the world of infant adoption always changing, the Private Track is a wonderful way to self-advocate and take active control of your adoption journey!
You must be accepted into Adoption STAR’s Private Track Program to attend this training.
To register contact Chris Fancher, Office & Intake Manager, at chris@adoptionstar.com.

Attachment-Focused Crisis Deescalation With A-OK Family Advocates
2024-08-20 16:00 - 19:00
This webinar will focus on crisis management for families who are caring for youth with extensive trauma histories and disrupted attachments

This training will provide the framework for how we heal through relationships and how we can best respond to a dysregulated child in a nurturing way that doesn’t jeopardize their attachment and trust. Practical techniques and interventions will be provided to help parents feel well-equipped and confident in managing any behavioral crisis in the home. This training is beneficial for families preparing to parent an older child and ones who have already taken placement—all A-OK Families are highly encouraged to participate in the webinar.
After registering you will receive instructions on how to join the online event.

Contact Adoption STAR at 866-691-3300 or via email at info@adoptionstar.com or visit our website for event dates https://www.adoptionstar.com.

Pre-Parenthood Educational Class Session 3 (In Person)
2024-08-23 - 2024-08-24 | Adoption STAR’s Main Office, 131 John Muir Drive, Amherst, NY, 14228, United States
For those pursuing a domestic infant adoption
The pre-parenthood adoption classes listed here are specific to those considering the adoption of a child NOT in foster care in the U.S., through the domestic infant programs. Families are provided with the information and preparation necessary to assess communication, exploring child development, understanding of the adoption process, legal aspects related to adoption, etc.
For clients enrolled in the domestic infant program will obtain at least 21 hours of adoption education prior to adopting. You will receive 11.5 hours once you have attended the educational series, known as, Adoption is a Lifelong Process. The other hours are obtained through meetings with your family advocates and social worker as well as through independent study where clients are provided with a chart to assist them in obtaining these additional hours of pre-adoption preparation.

2024 Session 3 (in person)
Friday, August 23 5:45 pm – 8:45 pm
Saturday, August 24 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Reserve your spot now as a limited number of people are accepted for each weekend. Must be a client to attend. Please contact your family advocate for more information.

Financial Planning Webinar
2024-09-18 18:00 - 19:30
New parents, especially new adoptive parents, need to consider several things related to the financial security & protection of their family

New parents, especially new adoptive parents, need to consider several things related to the financial security and protection of their family. This class is facilitated by an adoptive parent who is a financial advisor along with an estate planning attorney/financial advisor. They will introduce you to overall financial planning for your family’s future, the Adoption Tax Credit, estate planning, and more.
After registering for this event you will receive instructions on how to join the webinar.
For more information contact us at 866-691-3300 or email info@adoptionstar.com.
Visit our website for additional event dates https://www.adoptionstar.com.

Adoption When You Have Children
2024-10-01 18:00 - 20:00
Develop a better understanding of the impact of adoption has on your family unit.

This workshop for A-OK families is designed to help prospective adoptive parents develop a better understanding of the impact of adoption has on their family unit. Focus will be on understanding sibling relationships, setting expectations, rule and boundaries and how bringing another child into the home affects the family as a whole.
After registering for this event you will receive instructions on how to join the webinar.
For more information contact us at 866-691-3300 or email info@adoptionstar.com.

ANCHOR A-OK Educational Class, Series 3
2024-10-19 - 2024-10-20 | Adoption STAR Main Office, 131 John Muir Drive, Amherst, NY, 14228, United States
For those pursuing the domestic adoption of an older child or an international adoption
The A-OK educational classes are referred to as ANCHOR (Attach, Nurture, Commit, Healing, Open-minded, Resilience). They are specific to those considering the adoption of an older child or children. The classes give attendees a great deal of information that prepares them for adopting a child waiting in the United States foster care system or out of country care. Families are given the opportunity to assess personal interest, readiness, and commitment to adopt an older child. If you are considering the adoption of a waiting child or a child from another country, this is for you. Due to the preparation necessary for adoption through the foster care system or coming to the United States from another country, training consists of two parts (A and B) for a total of 23 classroom hours. You must sign up for one A (full session) and one B (full session). Preference is for you to sign up for parts A & B listed together. However, if you are unable to attend for example, part B in the first series, you may attend part B in another series. You must attend part A before part B.
For those enrolled in the A-OK program, a total of 38.5 hours are required prior to being matched with a child. 23 hours are received after attending training sessions A and B. The A-OK program provides you with quality time with your family advocate and social workers (specialists in the field of older child adoption) to help you gain additional educational hours. You will also be provided with a series of assignments that you do independently which will assist in achieving the required hours of pre-adoption preparation.
2024 Series 3
Session A (in person)
Saturday, October 19 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 20 9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Session B (virtual)
Friday, November 1 5:15 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday, November 2 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Exploring Your Adoption Options
2024-10-22 18:00 - 20:00
Domestic infant! Domestic older child! International! Private Attorney! Foster Care! Private agency!

This workshop will allow you to hear from a variety of experts within the adoption community, as the different adoption options are discussed. Perhaps you are in the midst of an adoption journey, and are thinking about what other options are out there. Perhaps you have not officially started the formal process, and want to learn more about your options. Either way, this workshop is for you!
After registering for this event you will receive instructions on how to join the webinar.
For more information contact us at 866-691-3300 or email info@adoptionstar.com.
