Fall at AFABC: October workshops, a new resource guide, and more!

Dear

This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for everything you do. Thanks to you, we are able to continue to offer programming and services that reach over 6,000 children, youth, and families across the province every year. With your support, we look forward to reaching even more families and youth in 2022.

*NEW* Resource guide available for parents and caregivers

Adoption is a complex way to grow a family. The first few years of placement are often challenging as the new family learns how to attach and be together. Detecting signs
of sexual abuse—and then determining a course of action—may leave parents feeling overwhelmed. This research-based guide is a helpful starting point for adoption and permanency parents, and essential reading for anyone who parents or works with children and youth.

READ NOW

Upcoming events

Free online event
Registration required for discussion

Join Jeff Noble and our Family Services team for a discussion after the Facebook Live about FASD: Tips and Takeaways for Parenting Adolescents. The post-FB Live discussion will take place immediately after the Live over Microsoft Teams. You will receive the Teams link in your email confirmation after you register.

Starts 12:00pm Wednesday, October 6

Free online event
Registration required

Come learn about the Adopt BC Kids program and what it takes to adopt a child from foster care. Topics include: who are the children, why they come into care, special placement needs, the adoption process and key issues for families. Co-presented by AFABC and the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Starts 6:30pm Wednesday, October 13

Free online event
Registration required

Come join our Family Support Workers and other waiting parents for an informal discussion. Join us if you're applying to adopt, approved and waiting, or even just thinking about adoption! This month we are talking about Transitions - What to expect when a child transitions from foster home to your home. *Note that registration for our Waiting Parent Group meetings will open approximately one month prior to the session.

Starts 6:30pm Monday, October 18

Three-part online workshop
$95 registration fee

Parenting kids with trauma can be tough at any stage of their development. This online workshop is designed to provide tips and tools for trauma-informed parenting and to help parents understand the relationship between trauma and adoption. Parents will learn about the different types of trauma, how they manifest in the developing child, and strategies for parenting with a trauma-informed approach.

This workshop will be facilitated by Ashleigh Martinflatt. In 2021, AFABC recognized Ashleigh with the Helen Mark Excellence in Adoption Award. During her time as an online facilitator at AFABC, Ashleigh's commitment to adoption and permanency parents has been unwavering and invaluable to the community.

Starts 7:00pm Tuesday, October 19

Free online event
Registration required

Come connect with other adoptive/permanency parents for an informal discussion about what's happening in your family. Group members will share experiences and brainstorm together. We will be holding this group online on the 4th Thursday of every second month.

Starts 6:30pm Thursday, October 28

Three-part free online event
Registration required

Join us for this three-part online workshop for parents of children affected by FASD or other neurobehavioural conditions to gain a greater understanding of a brain-based approach to parenting.

The workshop will be hosted by Nathalie Brassard, FASD Consultant with FASCETS (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Consultation Education and Training Services).

Starts 6:30pm Monday, November 1

Click here to view AFABC's complete event calendar

October is Foster Family Month!

In honour of Foster Family Month, the BC Foster Parents Association is hosting self-care themed webinars. All webinars are open to foster and adoptive parents. To learn more about the webinars, and to register, click on the links below:

Burnout Prevention with Julie Romanowski

Mindfulness & Stress Reduction with Shahin Najak

Nourishing Self-care through Food with Jenn Messina

First proclaimed by the province of British Columbia in 1990, Foster Family Month is a time to celebrate foster families in BC. To learn more about Foster Family Month, check out the BCFFPA website.

What's happening in October?

Fall is officially here! Click on the links below to learn more about what October means to us at AFABC.

October is Learning Disabilities Month. Many members of the adoption and permanency community live and thrive with a learning disability. Read: Learning Disabilities, an introduction.

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. SIDS Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness of sudden infant death and to promote safe sleep for babies. Every October, we take time to grieve with those who have lost a child to SIDS.

October is Islamic History Month. In October, we celebrate and honour the contributions Muslim Canadians have made and continue to make. Learn more about Adoption in Islam.

October is Women's History Month. During the month of October, we celebrate the achievements of women throughout Canada's 150 year history and before. Read: CBC recommends 24 Canadian books to read during Women's History Month.

Questions or comments? Reply to this email or communications@bcadoption.com

Adoptive Families Association of BC
200 - 7342 Winston Street
Burnaby, BC V5A 2H1
Canada
604-320-7330

Reg. No.: #118777671RR0001

Unsubscribe from Adoption Monthly

Opt out from all emails from AFABC