The Adoptions Counselling Program is funded by Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority and is provided free of charge to foster and adoptive families who are adopting within the public system, or who currently qualify for post-adoptive services.

Families are entitled to support and treatment for themselves and their adopted child from birth to age 19 years.

Both the parent and the child participate in the Program. Support includes involvement in engaging and reparative activities that promote attachment, build trust, and provide encouragement for promoting a positive relationship. Assistance is available for dealing with regulatory issues.

Specially trained counselors, social workers and psychologists assist families:

during the pre-placement process

in transitioning the child into the adoptive home

with therapeutic services for biological family relinquishments

with on-going support throughout the child's development

Families who have adopted internationally or within the private system can access post adoption services at Calgary Family Services when spaces are available. A fee is assessed on a sliding fee scale.

For more information please call 403.205.5257 to speak with Adoptions Counselling

Read more about Adoption Counselling (pdf)

Adoptions Workshops: Stuck and Getting Unstuck

This two-part series workshop promotes child development, resiliency and relational health for parents and children who come together through adoption

Stuck?

Parenting children who are stuck due to significant losses, multiple changes and biologically driven forces of survival is one the the most difficult and heart wrenching experiences in life. All parents want to connect lovingly with their child and parent effectively. But for adopted parents, the attachment puzzle can be more complicated in the parental approaches more delicate.
This workshop draws from the latest research on neuroscience, attachment theory, developmental theory, and trauma to better understant the child from the inside out. Working with, not against, biology and the brain starts by understanding how to reduce the production of excessive stress cortisols and how to invite the child to develop and mature in relationships and in life.

Getting Unstuck

Now that" getting stuck" makes sense, the family is challenged with removing impediments and helping their child to be free to grow and develop in all domains important to health living – cognitively, emotionally, socially and in the closest of relationships – with parents and siblings. This workshop builds on the first in the series and uses neuroscience, attachment theory, developmental theory and an understanding of trauma to map out how to handle troubling concerns like aggression, discipline and anxiety. The map allows for the roots of attachment to deepen, provides insight into problem behaviours and discusses methods for "getting unstuck" when things do not seem to be working in the relationship with your child.

Location:
Calgary Family Services
200, 1000 8th Avenue S.W.

Dates and Time:
March 15 & 22, 2012
May 3 & 10, 2012

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Registration:
Call Noorani Khalfan at 403.537.3387 to register

Click here to download the poster (pdf)