26th Annual Adoption Conference Uniting Families in Albany New York
- WHEN: May 8-9, 2015
- WHERE: Albany Marriott Hotel 189 Wolf Road Albany New York 12205 USA
- WHAT: NYSCCC 26th Annual Conference
- WHO: The NYS Citizens’ Coalition for Children
- BONUS: I have been invited to present a birthparent perspective
2015 Adoption Conference in New York : Uniting Families
The NYSCCC 26th annual conference, Uniting Families, will focus on NYSCCC and NY State programs and initiatives to unite families of all kinds to work together in order to ensure a permanent loving family for every child. The NYSCCC statewide family of parents, professionals, and advocates will gather together in Albany to explore and share ideas, tools, and resources to form new families through adoption; support reunification and connection with birth families; create linkages between foster families; and build relationships between parents and agencies.
Nationally known speakers and 30 workshop presenters, selected for their knowledge and expertise, will reflect on emotional and professional commitment to unifying families; and assist participants to gain perspective, increase skills, and learn to appreciate the positives. Watch this space for registration, exhibitor, and workshop information coming soon. Scheduled 2015 speakers to date include:
- Heather Forbes: Founder, Beyond Consequences Institute, Friday Keynote
- Demetrius Johnson, Foster Youth Advocate, Saturday Keynote
- Maris Blechner: ED Emerita, Family Focus Adoption Services, Marriage as a Balance Beam
- Margaret Burt, Esq: Three workshops on NYS Permanency Planning Topics
- Elaine Schulte: General Pediatrics Department Chair, Cleveland Clinic, Overcoming Feeding Challenges
- Helen Shin: The Center for Development of Human Services, Quibbling Siblings
- Barry Chaffkin: Fostering Change for Children, Straight Talk With Kids
- April Dinwoodie: Chief Executive, The Donaldson Adoption Institute,The Internet’s Impact on Adoption
- Friday Evening Special Event: A screening and discussion of
The award wining documentary, “Closure“
Oh and did I mention.. ME?
Adding a Birth Mother’s Point of View
I am thrilled to be invited to present at this conference. Not only is it literally in my own backyard, but I guess they have not had many birthparents speak before and that point of view has been missing. It’s great that they are making up for that and I get a full 80 minutes to talk! I haven’t quite nailed it down yet.. or at all.. it is in May after all. I have time, but I would like to again make sure that it is not just me and my POV, but I plan on crowd sourcing so in reality I am presenting OUR voices.
And I am super excited to get to Know more of the NY adoption folks. Always like building bridges and making new connections.
I don’t think registration for attendees is open yet, but here’s the space: http://nysccc.org/conference/2015-uniting-families/ and I’ll update when it is open. On that note if anyone is thinking of going, I’ll just state it now; I’m going to drive up both days as Albany is like an hour away from my house and I have a decent guest room. IE; save money on the hotel room and get a ride. Seriously.
