OCTOBER 29, 2013
In celebration of National Adoption Month, IFAPA is giving away tickets to Sesame Street Live and copies of the book The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog. You must be a foster, adoptive or kinship parent to be entered into the drawing. Please indicate in the subject line of your e-mail which prize you would like to win (use ELMO for Sesame Street, BOOK for book or ELMO/BOOK if you would like to be entered in both drawings). Please e-mail, Crystal at [email protected] no later than Sunday, Nov 10th.
PRIZES: Five Sesame Street Live Tickets (4 winners will be drawn) The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog (6 winners will be drawn)
About the book: ANKENY What happens when a young child is Nov. 7 (Candlelight Ceremony) traumatized? How does terror affect a child’s mind—and how can that mind CEDAR RAPIDS recover? Child psychiatrist Bruce Nov. 6 (Candlelight Ceremony) Perry has treated children faced with Nov. 15 (Cedar Rapids Adoption Friday) unimaginable horror: genocide
COUNCIL BLUFFS survivors, witnesses to their own Nov. 10 (Candlelight Ceremony) parents’ murders, children raised in closets and cages, the Branch Davidian Nov. 23 (Council Bluffs Adoption Saturday) children, and victims of family violence. CRESTON In The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, Nov. 12 (Adoption Support Group Recognition) he tells their stories of trauma and transformation. Dr. Perry clearly DAVENPORT explains what happens to the brain Nov. 15 (Candlelight Ceremony) when children are exposed to extreme Nov. 15 (Davenport Adoption Friday) stress. He reveals his innovative
DES MOINES methods for helping to ease their pain, allowing them to become healthy Nov. 23 (Des Moines Adoption Saturday) adults. This deeply informed and moving book dramatically demonstrates that only when we understand the science of the mind DUBUQUE can we hope to heal the spirit of even the most wounded child. Nov. 6 (Candlelight Ceremony)
MASON CITY Nov. 14 (Candlelight Ceremony)
SIOUX CITY Nov. 23 (Sioux City Adoption Saturday)
WATERLOO Nov. 22 (Waterloo Adoption Friday)
WEBSTER CITY Nov. 23 (Webster City Adoption Saturday) Five Flags Center (Dubuque) Choose from performances on WEST DES MOINES Nov. 26 (6:30pm) or Nov. 27 (3pm or 6:30pm) Nov. 3 (Celebrating Adoption Event) (Reg. ticket price: $21.50)
ifapa I 6864 NE 14th St., Suite 5 - Ankeny, IA 50023 I 800.277.8145 I 515.289.4567 I www.ifapa.org
Fostering Older Youth “I need hope that things will be better.” Hope is something that older youth in foster care are looking for, and foster parents play a huge role in providing that hope. In fact, that’s one of the most rewarding aspects of fostering teens and older youth. People are often intimidated by the idea of fostering teens and older youth. Those years, after all, are the years of raging hormones! However, as one foster mom who enjoys fostering older youth put it, "Teenagers come home and close the door. They're a lot more independent!" CONTINUE READING
SOURCE: The Adoption Resources of Wisconsin
Teen Asks for an Adoptive Family
Written By: Lane DeGregory (Tampa Bay Times)
As soon as they pulled into the church lot, Davion changed his mind. "Miss! Hey, Miss!" he called to his caseworker, who was driving. "I don't want to do this anymore." In the back seat, he hugged the Bible someone had given him at the foster home. "You're going to be great," Connie Going said.
Brandon is a curious, outgoing teen who Outside St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, she straightened his tie. Like his too-big enjoys skateboarding and being active black suit, the white tie had been donated. It zipped up around the neck, which outdoors. Brandon enjoys working with helped. No one had ever taught Davion, 15, how to tie one. and playing with peers, and the adults in his life say his great personality helps him "Are you ready?" Going asked. Hanging his head, he followed her into the sanctuary. excel in his interactions with others. This had been his idea. He'd heard something about God helping people who help themselves. So here he was, on a Sunday in September, surrounded by strangers, Structure is very important to Brandon. taking his future into his sweaty hands. His adoptive family should have clear expectations and be able to provide Davion Navar Henry Only loves all of his names. He has memorized the meaning of reminders about boundaries and positive each one: beloved, brown, ruler of the home, the one and only. But he has never had interactions with others. Brandon’s family a home or felt beloved. His name is the last thing his parents gave him. should also be willing to provide the CONTINUE READING support he will need academically. It would be best if Brandon could be the youngest child in the home. Update on Davion Story... Read an Open Letter to the 9,999 Who Don’t Adopt the Florida Teen Needing a Family Brandon’s adoptive family should be
patient and willing to commit to him long-term as he may need additional help RESOURCES FOR PARENTS and resources in the future. With the right family, Brandon’s DHS adoption Talking to Kids About Foster Care & Adoption worker says he will be successful. Creating a Lifebook—IFAPA Offers Free Lifebook Pages Families from all states will be Foster Care and Adoption-Friendly Children’s Books considered. Talking to Your Child about Adoption: Recommendations for Parents Kids Adoption Page—Circle of Feelings Brandon “would just like to be included When to Tell Your Child About Their Adoption in a family.” Could you be that Answering Your Adopted Child’s Questions about Their Adoption committed family for Brandon? For more Answering Your Adopted Child’s Questions about Birth Parents information on Brandon and other Talking to Your Teen about Being Adopted children available for adoption, visit Collecting Information on Your Adoptive Child’s History Iowa KidsNet. Iowa Therapists Who Serve Foster and Adoptive Families
ifapa I 6864 NE 14th St., Suite 5 - Ankeny, IA 50023 I 800.277.8145 I 515.289.4567 I www.ifapa.org