Five-year Research Proves Wendy's Wonderful Kids Works

Research released this week will forever change how The Dave Thomas Foundation does business: as a Foundation, as partners with Wendy’s and as the organization overseeing agencies charged with finding adoptive parents for children who wait.

They have learned, after five years of rigorous, evidence-based evaluation and research that the child-focused recruitment model works. That model is Wendy’s Wonderful Kids.

Here are some of the top line results:

- Children in foster care served by the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruitment program are 1.7 times more likely to be adopted than those not served by WWK.

- The impact of WWK’s child-focused recruitment model is greatest among children who are older or those who have mental health disorders in fact, three times more likely for both populations.

- These findings upend the belief that some children are “unadoptable.” In fact, with more focus on evidence-based innovative strategies like WWK, rather than a reliance on traditional services, there is hope for every child in foster care.

Please take a moment to visit their website at http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/ and view the video created specifically for this momentous announcement and for a deeper understanding, please read the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids National Release Executive Summary.  Below are the links for each of them.


(Don't forget to mute the blog music on the bottom of this page before viewing the following video.  You can also view it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=aLP3pAfCHgo)



http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/executive-summary/

Safe Families Webinar for Host Families

Webinar Title: "Safe Families for Children Movement Webinar for Host Families and Volunteers"

Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM EST

"Come and Be, Safe Family, Ministry of Presence" Dr. Monte states: "When faced with the daunting task of providing care and shelter for children in need, many Safe Family volunteers feel like they have to step beyond who they are. Many feel a pressure to provide something to the children and families which exceeds their skill set. Many feel that they should have the insights of professional therapists or the healing faith of spiritual giants.

This training is designed to offer the reassurance that the crucial elements of success are easily found inside of all of us once we are willing to "just show up". When expectations are softened and, volunteers are freed up to build from the biblical foundation that powerful success from the Safe Families point of view is easily obtainable."

Register now by clicking the link below:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/688574640

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

For more information about Safe Families visit http://www.safe-families.org/

Adoptive Families Urgently Needed for Russian Orphans

Russian children are being turned away from the adoption process due to a lack of adoptive families, but outcomes for Russian orphans who grow up and age out of orphanages are bleak at best.


Families should never take the decision to adopt lightly, but for those who feel called, Russia is an excellent option with the process currently taking far less time than adopting from many other countries. Buckner is seeking families who will consider being a forever family for Russian children who need homes. Read on to learn more.  http://www.buckner.org/enews/index.php/2011/10/russian-orphans-need-families/

Buckner International is a global Christian ministry dedicated to the restoration and healing of children, families and senior adults.  For more information visit http://www.buckner.org/.

Sunny Ridge Adoptive Parent/Toddler Play Group

NEW DATES ANNOUNCED!

Who: Adoptive parents with children ages 0-4

When: Friday mornings from 10:00 -11:30am, November 4 & 11; December 2 & 9

Where: Sunny Ridge Family Center, 270 Remington Blvd, Suite C, Bolingbrook, IL

Fee: $35 includes four sessions

Why: Meet and connect with other adoptive parents in the community! Share ideas and parenting strategies, discuss and share helpful books, social media sites, and articles regarding adoption and parenting issues. Come be part of a casual group who won't care if you have to put a conversation on hold to go change a dirty diaper ... or address a toddler’s tantrum!

Facilitated by Pam Shepard, LCSW, Supervisor of Parent Training and Adoption Counseling Services (and mom of 2 toddlers.)

Space is limited, so sign up now for this unique opportunity by clicking here:  http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2370530320?ref=ebtn

"Gift of Adoption" Fundraising Event

The Gift of Adoption Fund's mission is to inspire adoption by providing grants to qualified parents – giving children who need families a permanent home and a chance to thrive.

To register for the Wine Tasting Event, click here: https://www.giftofadoption.org/wineevent.html
For more information, contact Tina Rounds at trounds@giftofadoption.org. 

Attachment & Trauma Workshop

Sunny Ridge Family Center presents: Attachment and Trauma 101: A one-day Workshop - Six (6) CEUs offered for Social Workers ( IDFPR # 159-001117)

Friday, November 18, 2011

9:00am to 4:00pm

Speaker: WILLIAM S. KAPLAN, MSW, LCSW.  Director, House Calls Counseling

Key Workshop Concepts:

* Teaches participants how trauma & neglect affects brain development as well as a child’s ability to connect and attach

* Introduces and explores therapeutic parenting; SPACE (Safety, Support, Structure, Supervision, Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity & Empathy)

* Identifies the manifestations of attachment and trauma dysregulation on children’s behavior, cognitive, affectivity, physical and spiritual/ moral functioning.

* Introduces participants to core concepts and practices of three treatment approaches which have demonstrated effectiveness for treating children and youth with Attachment and Trauma Dysregulation.

Who Should Attend: Social workers, educators, adoptive parents, clinicians.

Schedule:
8:30am Registration & Refreshments
9:00am to 12:00pm - Morning session

Lunch on your own

1:00pm to 4:00pm - Afternoon session

Registration Fee: $110
To register, click here:
http://billykaplan.eventbrite.com/?ref=ebtn

For more information, contact Sunnyridge Family Center at http://www.sunnyridge.org/. 

Willow Creek Orphan Sunday Event!

You Are Invited to a

Willow Creek Orphan Sunday Event

Sunday, November 20

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Willow Creek Community Church (room F150)

67 E. Algonquin Road So. Barrington, IL 60010

* Be challenged and inspired by our guest speakers from Reece's Rainbow, an organization that advocates for adoption of children with special needs.

* View the Heart Gallery of IL and help pray these children into forever families

* Join us in live worship to a God who's heart is for the orphan.

* Share a catered meal with orphan advocates & adoptive, foster and Safe Families.

* Be there to see our Forever Family Wall unveiled.

* Bring a package of diapers or pull-ups to help serve our local DCFS office. (optional)

* Child care is available after dinner if you r.s.v.p. with the number of children and their ages.

Please R.S.V.P. to vcministry127@gmail.com

(To find hundreds of Orphan Sunday events around the country and around the world, go to http://www.orphansunday.org/ and click on "map".)

Is it An Adoption Thing? Webinar

Expert advice on child development and adoption

Wedneday, November 2, 2011

7:00 - 8:00 PM Central

Q & A: 8:00 - 8:30PM Central

Cost: $15

When your child exhibits challenging or frustrating behaviors, do you:

(a) Immediately assume it's related to his adoption history?

(b) Not even consider adoption?

(c) Struggle to determine when to point to adoption and when to assume it's just kid's stuff?

Because many families struggle with the difficult task of sorting out if behaviors and challenges are adoption related or not, we've asked an expert to help!

Join Dr. Gregory Keck, Director of the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio, as he discusses the impact of adoption and trauma on child development.

This webinar will:

* Discuss common challenging behaviors adopted children may exhibit at each developmental stage.

* Offer real life examples and suggestions for handling these behaviors

* Examine effective and ineffective parenting tools

Your purchase confirmation email will include a link to submit questions to Dr. Keck.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Dr. Gregory Keck is the founder and director of the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio where he specializes in working with children who have developmental trauma disorder, reactive attachment disorder and numerous other mental health difficulties.

Dr. Keck served on the board of ATTACh for nine years, two of which he served as president. He is also the co-author with Regina Kupecky, MAT, LSW of Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow (2009), Parenting Adoptive Adolescents (2009) and Adopting the Hurt Child: Hope for Families with Special Needs Kids (2009).

To register for the webinar click here:
http://www.adoptionlearningpartners.org/webinars/is-it-adoption.cfm?utm_source=jcicsisitadoption&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=jcicsblast


Sponsored by:

Monthly Pot-Luck Topic: Parenting the Hurt Child

You are Invited to join the Adoptive, Foster & Safe Families Community
at Willow Creek for our Monthly Pot-luck Gathering

This is a great place for those who are considering adoption or foster care, to talk to families who are already along on their journey.

Sunday, October 16th

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. (dinner will start at 5:00)

Please bring a dish to share. Beverages will be provided.

Childcare is available after dinner if you r.s.v.p. to this e-mail with the number of children and their ages.  R.S.V.P. to vcministry127@gmail.com.

This month we are privileged to have Guest Speaker, Stan Grimes, who will address the topic "Parenting the Hurt Child". Stan has worked in the field of social services and child welfare since 1980. He recently worked as the associate director of foster care at UCAN and served children and families in Lake and McHenry counties until joining One Hope United’s continuous quality improvement team in January, 2010. Stan and his wife have been licensed foster parents, and adopted a baby boy from The Cradle in February, 2010.

Orphan Sunday Event at The Chapel

The Compassion for Kids ministry at The Chapel invites you to an

Orphan Sunday Event

with Krista McCoy, M.S.W., LCSW

CULTURE, RACE AND IDENTITY IN FOSTER CARE/ADOPTION

SATURDAY, NOV. 5

1:30 – 4 p.m.

The Chapel’s Barrington Campus

Please join us for an afternoon as Krista McCoy discusses from a professional

and personal perspective the role Christianity plays in raising children of a race and

culture different than the adoptive parents. You will have the opportunity to ask

questions in this open and honest discussion.

PLEASE JOIN US IF YOU:

• Adopted a child domestically or internationally

• Wondered what you should focus on first; Christianity or your child’s race/culture

• Are raising a child who is a different race, culture, or ethnicity

• Are curious about having friends and mentors for your trans-racially adopted child

• Are wondering what you can do to help your child in their identity formation

• Have wanted to know how raising biological children is different than adopted children

Early registration*: By Oct. 27 $10

Walk-ins: $15

Snacks provided. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Laura Grimes at

buildingfamilies@chapel.org or call 630.235.0903.

Planning Grocery Shopping? Print $1 Coupon to Give $1 to Orphans

YoBaby is improving nutrition for orphaned, fostered and adopted children...

and so can you with a few simple clicks!

Click here http://adoptionnutrition.org/yobaby-promotion/, print the $1.00 off coupon for YoBaby yogurt and they'll donate $1.00 to help improve orphan nutrition!

Please note: You must PRINT the coupon for the donation to be made. Limit 1 print per person. Good for up to 3000 prints. 3000 prints = $3,000 in orphan nutrition support!

"Hope for Kids" Ministry Events

The Hope for Kids ministry at Moody Church in Chicago is hosting two upcoming events.

1. Outpour Prayer Night is a Chicago-area prayer night for As Our Own, a Christ-based community driven movement in India that rescues young girls from certain enslavement. The event is free and will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13th from 7 – 8:15 in room 108 at Moody Church (1635 N. LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60614). We’ll hear a ministry update from the founder, hear testimonies of children rescued, and spend time in prayer and worship for God’s work in the lives of vulnerable children in India. http://www.asourown.org/.

The ministry has 2 orphanages for mostly children whose mother’s work in red-light districts. Working with their mothers, As Our Own rescues these children out of the districts and gives them a long-term care and solid education—a life-changing gift in India. They also work with local churches to stop the cycle of enslavement in India.



2. Orphan Sunday—11/6/2011—Moody’s worship service will focus on orphan care and will be followed by an Orphan Sunday Luncheon from 1-2:15. Attendees will be served lunch and hear from Carolyn Twietmeyer of Project Hopeful, advocate for adopting children with HIV/AIDS. You'll also hear several testimonies from Moody congregation members who are caring for orphans—whether through adoption, Safe Families, or volunteering with one of 7 ministry partners. Anyone can attend; RSVP here (https://www.moodychurch.org/register/2011-orphan-sunday-luncheon/ ). 

Safe Families Mom's Coffee

Safe Families Moms are invited for a Mom's Coffee sponsored by Safe Families Northwest

Date: Tuesday, October 11th
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Place: Joelle Chidlow's home in Palatine at 579 W Center Rd.

These coffees are a great opportunity to meet other safe families and share stories and concerns with families like yours. Feel free to bring a friend who might be interested in becoming a safe family. Children are always welcome.

For more information, contact Sheila Applegate, SFNW Coordinator at sheila@applegates.com or
847-323-1050.