CAFO Webinar: Is Our Church Helping or Hurting?

CAFO Webinar Series Presents........

Is Our Church Helping or Hurting?

Wednesday, August 30 | 1:00pm (CST)

15 Principles to Consider and Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Global Engagement Strategy

Are you a leader in your church’s global missions ministry? Are you mobilizing people in your church to go on short-term trips? Do you maintain relationships with strategic global partner organizations? Do you ever wonder if what you’re doing is the most effective and efficient use of your church’s time, energy, resources and focus?

You’re not alone. Impacting the world in significant, meaningful, Christ-honoring ways has always been an abiding hallmark of the Christian church. Every church leader wants to do it well…but
how do we know if we are?

Join us as we discuss 15 essential principles to consider and pitfalls to avoid in your church’s global engagement strategy. We will construct a general framework essential practices for your leadership to work through based on biblical principles and a strong research and evidence base that affirms the importance of engaging global orphaned and vulnerable children ministry with excellence, integrity and humility.

Presented by: Jason Johnson & Nicole Wilke, CAFO

Register for Free

Optimizing Futures for Children with FASD

Optimizing Futures for Children with 

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 1:30- 2:30 pm (Central) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (formerly called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) can occur in individuals whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy.  FASD can affect physical, cognitive, and emotional development, and the effects may be lifelong.  This condition tends to occur more frequently in children whose biological mothers live in low resource environments or lack adequate prenatal care.   For parents and caregivers, FASD can be a discouraging diagnosis, one that inspires fear and overwhelm.  However, with adequate care, support, and structure, children with this condition can have improved outcomes.  Dr. Judith Eckerle will share about diagnosis, intervention, and steps to take to give kids with FASD the best chance of living healthy, full lives. This is the ninth module in the CAFO Knowledge + Practice webinar series,  which translates research into actionable information that OVC care practitioners can implement immediately to elevate the quality of the care they provide.     REGISTER

Launching & Leading an Orphan Care Ministry in Your Church

Three Principles to Consider; Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Launching and Leading an Orphan Care Ministry in Your Church The goal of your ministry is sustainability, not speed. It's not necessarily to do many things as much as it's about doing the right things. The needs of vulnerable children and families are overwhelming and the opportunities to engage are endless. However, as a leader, how do we prioritize the key objectives of our ministry? How do we build in safeguards that keep us focused on first things first? How do we learn the art of saying "no" sometimes and not "yes" all the time?  This presentation will highlight three key principles all leaders must consider, and common pitfalls to avoid, when not only starting a new ministry but also leading and expanding an existing one. It will center around practical tools, real-life models and implementable "next steps" for you and/or your leadership team. Presenters:  Jason Johnson, CAFO's National Director of Church Ministry Initiatives Kari Stewart, Missions and Orphan Ministry Director, Timberline Church & Northern Colorado Christian Alliance for Orphans Wednesday, August 31 2pm (Eastern) Register Here FREE E-BOOK As an added bonus, everyone who registers for this webinar will receive a FREE download of, "Three Principles to Consider and Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Launching and Leading an Orphan Care Ministry in Your Church"! This new, engaging e-book will provide you with a tangible resource to continue processing through and applying the ideas that were discussed in this webinar.

Webinar: Caring for Caregivers

Caring for Caregivers: A Critical Component of Improving Childhood Wellbeing

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 2:00- 3:00 pm (Eastern)

Register Now!

Research and common knowledge both suggest that the most influential relationship in a child's life is with his or her caregiver.  A strong caregiver relationship can limit the effects of trauma, increase a child's confidence and independence, and empower a child to explore life from a safe base.  Therefore, caring for caregivers- and coaching them to care for themselves- may be one of the most helpful roles we can play in caring for vulnerable children.  How do we encourage them in self- care?  How do we help them cope with secondary trauma?  How do we support them in the long-term? This presentation opens the conversation around nurturing and caring for caregivers domestically and around the world.  It. will center around practical tools for supporting caregivers to increase their health, and ultimately to optimize the wellbeing of the children they care for. This is the seventh module in the CAFO Knowledge + Practice webinar series,  which translates research into actionable information that OVC care practitioners can implement immediately to elevate the quality of the care they provide.

Presenter:  

Jayne is recognized internationally as a speaker, trainer, and author working with Back2Back Ministries in Ohio.  She is the primary author in their training curriculum, Trauma Competent Caregiving, a nine modules training series.  Jayne is author of 8 books, including her recent publications, "Wounded Children, Healing Homes," and "Parenting in Transracial Adoption."  Jayne and her husband David are parents both by birth and adoption and grandparents of 4. 

Webinar: Talking to Children About Adoption

When talking about adoption, we often use language that is positive, loving, and spiritual as to provide adoptees with comfort and resolution. These messages shape how adoptees think about themselves, their parents, and God, but may also dismiss adoption’s complex realities. For instance, might adoptees feel less understood and supported when their adoption-related feelings include loss, anger, and confusion if they only hear adoption being celebrated?

This webinar will address how we can use language to acknowledge, support, and respect the full range of an adoptee’s history and experience. By the end of this session, participants will:

• Know common phrases about adoption that may give confusing messages to adoptees
• Learn strategies for how to talk with children about loss and the realities of adoption

Presenter:  Tara Vanderwoude, social worker, advocate, educator

Date: Thursday, April 14, 2016

Time: 8-9:30 p.m. EST

Fee: $15/household

REGISTER NOW

Webinar: The Dance of Attachment

Participants will learn how children form attachment relationships and explore how stress and trauma can affect parent-child relationships. Participants will also gain insight about adult attachment styles and consider how these styles can affect the relationship building process with children. This webinar will help parents and caregivers build and strengthen connections with children.

Presenters:
Karen Doyle Buckwalter, MSW, LCSW
Lori Thomas, BS

Date: Thursday, January 14, 2016 • 7:00–8:30 p.m. EST

Registration: $15 per household (Limited to the first 200 registrants)

Certificate of Completion: Completion of training will provide 1.5 hours of education. After completing the training, you will receive a link to download your certificate of completion.

Register For The Webinar

7 Major Trends in the Christian Orphan Care Movement

7 Major Trends  in the Christian Orphan Care Movement 2015 What Christianity Today described as "the burgeoning orphan care movement" is never static.  Even as it grows, the movement continues to develop and mature.  Major trends and changes, both external and internal, demand discernment and creativity.  Join CAFO President Jedd Medefind to explore seven of the most significant trends of 2015, both across the U.S. and globally.  This 30-minute webinar will include: Growth and changes in church adoption and foster engagement The expansion of locally-led movements around the world Major challenges along the road ahead The impact of your investment in CAFO and key 2016 CAFO priorities Presenter:  Jedd Medefind, CAFO President Wednesday, December 16 1pm (Central) Join the Webinar!

How to Be a Welcoming Church for Special Needs Foster & Adoptive Families

When families say yes to adoption or foster care, churches need to be ready to say yes to supporting them. As special needs and older child programs are on the rise, this means being prepared to accommodate families affected by disability or complex trauma. Shannon Dingle will share five ways your church can be a safe place for these children and teens, drawing from experience as a special educator, a disability ministry leader, and a mom to six by birth and adoption. Presenter:  Shannon Dingle, Key Ministry   Wednesday, November 18 1pm (Central Time) REGISTER HERE

Webinar: 30-Day Discovery for Families Growing through Foster Care & Adoption

WEBINAR: Ready or Not with Pam Parish

Oct. 20, 2015

6:30-8:00 p.m.

Pam Parish, author, mother, mentor and foster parent trainer, will share her passion and heart for serving foster youth in this informative and inspiring webinar.

Parish is a committed advocate for foster teens and young adults. She and her husband have seven young adult daughters, one biological and six adopted.

We recommend Parish's first devotional book, "Ready or Not: A 30-Day Discovery for Families Growing through Foster Care and Adoption," to every new prospective foster parent. The book provides an honest look at her family's journey through foster care and adoption.
"When you step into the lives of a young person coming into your life through foster care or adoption, there's no way to know what that journey is going to look like for you," Parish says. "But there is a way to know what God's word has to say about it. So that's my prayer for you: that Ready or Not would be your key to God's heart when it comes to caring for the fatherless." 

To register, email Sharon Hedrick at shedrick@buckner.org.

From an Adoptee's Heart to Yours Webinar

From an Adoptee's Heart to Yours: We Need One Another Some questions, some responses, some conversation. What does it look like to really listen to the deep heart of an adopted person? How does that relate to the human heart in all of us? Join CAFO President Jedd Medefind and Speaker, Therapist & Adoptee Carissa Woodwyk as they discuss what it means to both listen AND respond to one another, so that we are able to keep moving forward, together.   Whether you are an adoptive parent, adoptee, church or small group leader, or advocate with your own desire to listen better... this is a conversation you won't want to miss!  Presenters:  Jedd Medefind, CAFO President  Carissa Woodwyk, Speaker, Therapist & Adoptee Wednesday, September 30 1pm (Central Time)   Join the Webinar!

Webinar: Stategies to Protect Vulnerable Children

Tuesday, May 26  | 1:00 PM (Central) "Key Evidence-Based Strategies to Protect Vulnerable Children from Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation"     The first protection we owe to children is to guard them from violence.  The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) has identified a combination of actions essential to this protection of the young.  The CDC had developed these actions into a package of complementary interventions, known as THRIVES, to guide countries as they choose a combination of strategies that together have the greatest potential for impact.    This CAFO webinar is your chance to learn more about THRIVES and the specific strategies it promotes.  It will be presented by the individual who led development of THRIVES for the CDC, Dr. Susan Hillis. THRIVES strategies cross health, social services, education, finance, and justice sectors.  They include: Training in parenting; Household economic strengthening; Reduced violence through protective policies; Improved services; Values and norms that protect children;  Education and life skills; and Surveillance and evaluation.  Each of the THRIVES strategy areas is underpinned by promising evidence of success in high income countries, with growing evidence that these strategies work in lower income countries also.  PEPFAR, UNICEF, USAID, and the WHO recognize many of the THRIVES strategies as critical components in combatting violence against children Presenter: Dr. Susan Hillis, CDC     REGISTER HERE   The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.  Each 60-minute webinar is free and will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide.

Webinar: "You Can Adopt Without Debt"

Wednesday, January 28  |  1:00 PM (Central)

"You Can Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption"  

Think adoption is out of reach because of the expense?  Overwhelmed with how to raise the funds?  Join us for a webinar with adoptive mom and author Julie Gumm. Whether you're a parent or church ministry, come learn ideas to take the "impossible" out of adoption cost. Packed with practical information on budgeting and grants as well as tons of creative fundraising ideas, this webinar will encourage you and get you on the road to debt-free adoption. It can be done! We'll also include some ways that churches can come alongside adopting families as they raise funds. Presenter: Julie Gumm, Author "You Can Adopt Without Debt:  Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption" - due out January 6, 2015 from Abingdon Press   The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.  Each 60-minute webinar is free and will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide. Register Here!

China Adoption Webinar

Interested in learning more about China Adoptions?

Please take a few minutes and check out this informational webinar from Bethany Christian Services to learn more about adopting a child from China.

View Webinar

 

 

www.Bethany.org/Chicago  

 

CAFO Webinar: Quality Care

 

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Quality Care: Making Sure We Make a Difference for Children.

This webinar will demonstrate that evidence-based standards of care and ongoing attention to monitoring and quality improvement can enhance your organization’s ability to support children and families. Participatory rights-based approaches will be emphasized, and participants will be given the tools for self-assessment and improvement. Applying QI principles will promote the agency and voice of the child in an age-appropriate way, and can motivate care providers, program leaders, and donors to challenge themselves to think of new ways to serve children, their kin, and their communities.

 

Presenters: Prof. Lori DiPrete Brown, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Meredith Wesley

 

Date: Wednesday, November 19          Time: 2:00pm (Central)

 

REGISTER

The Church as a Partner in Biological Family Reunification in Foster Care

 While it is true that a number of children entering foster care will not be able to return home, the goal for the majority of them is to reunify with their birth families.  In this webinar we will explore how foster families, churches and organizations can play a vital role in the reunification process.

Presenters: Herbie Newell, Lifeline Children’s Services; Erin Kim, Mariner’s Church; Lesli Reece, North Point Ministries and Johnston Moore, Home Forever

Date:    Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Time:    1:00 PM (Central)

 

Register Now

Webinar: Addressing Eating Issues in Adopted Children

Bethany Christian Services is pleased to offer training and resources specifically developed for adoptive parents. We encourage you to join us for the upcoming webinar:

Family Meals and Feeding with Confidence and Joy:
Help for picky and selective eating, hoarding, weight concerns, and more.

October 23 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Central Time)

Registration is $10 and limited to the first 100 registrants.

Completion of this webinar will satisfy 1.5 hours of BCS education requirements for all prospective adoptive parents. A certificate of completion will be available for $2.50 per person.

Register at: www.bethany.org/adoptioneducation

Webinar: Tired Of Timeouts - Discipline, Attachment and the Adopted Child

Live Webinar

Thursday
September 4, 2014
7:00PM Central
Q&A: 8:00PM

 

 

 

 

Traditional discipline methods can be ineffective and even potentially damaging for adopted children - children who have experienced loss. Discipline needs to correct behavior while focusing on keeping a strong connection with your child.

 

 

 

 

 

Join Dafna Lender, LCSW, Clinical Director of The Theraplay Institute as she helps adoptive parents:

• Understand common challenging behaviors adopted children may exhibit at each developmental stage
• Discipline in a way that fosters learning rather than making your child feel ashamed and vengeful
• Move away from constant rewards and threats of punishment
• Help your child feel more comfortable accepting your guidance and leadership
• Integrate reciprocal play to enhance your child's self-esteem and sense of well being to help decrease negative behavior

Click HERE to register.

Submit your questions for us here or by tweeting them to @adoptiontweet using #ALPDiscipline

 

    

PLEASE NOTE: If you purchase the certificate option, your certificate will be available upon successful completion of a post test. The post test will be in your Adoption Learning Partners account after the live event.

The audio for the live webinar can be heard over the phone or through your computer speakers. If you choose to listen through your computer, we recommend external speakers or headphones. If you call in by phone, it is a toll call. There are no refunds or exchanges for the webinar once you have purchased it. If you purchase, but are unable to attend the live webinar, a recorded version will be available in your account after the event. The recorded version broadcasts over your computer speakers.

 

 

Webinar: Orphan Sunday

Wednesday, July 30  |  1:00 PM (Central) Engage Your Church in Reaching Out this Orphan Sunday! Whether your church is small or large, Orphan Sunday is your opportunity to stir the community to see God's heart for the fatherless. This 60-minute webinar will provide practical ideas to help you to inspire and engage your church, youth group or community. Learn how to create a simple activity, event or themed project for Orphan Sunday. Find partner organizations ready to assist you in turning passion into action. Join churches around the world that are participating in Orphan Sunday. Discover countless ready-to-go resources designed to save you time while strengthening your service and outreach. Presenters:  Roberta Fanelli-Davis, National Director Orphan Sunday, about ways you can partner with a trusted CAFO ministry to plan your event. Jason Weber, CAFO Foster Care Initiative, about new tools to help your church reach children in foster care. Jeremiah Parks, Heartwork, about a robust "plug & play" youth campaign you can launch to spark the next generation into service for the orphan. Sandra Flach, OS Media Director, about how Orphan Sunday can put your church in the local news! and more! Take that next step for your family or church that will grow for years to come. Join this webinar to learn how.

Register Here!

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Webinar Series is designed to help individuals like you create and grow effective adoption, foster care and global orphan ministry in local churches.  Each 60-minute webinar is free and will give local advocates access to the knowledge and experience of top Alliance member churches and organizations nationwide.