Each Spring and Fall, Adoptions From The Heart offers a series of educational classes intended to increase knowledge and inform adoptive parents on various topics; including prenatal drug exposure, infant/child care and more. We encourage all adoptive families to attend, because the adoption journey is lifelong, so whether you are just starting the process, getting through the wait or are three years post placement, the educational series has a course that will meet your needs.
Prenatal Drug & Alcohol Exposure
(Webinar/In-Person)
This class is presented by Dr. Erin Meyer, an Internal Medicine and Pediatric Hospitalist, who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Christiana Hospital. The class focuses on the effects of drug and alcohol exposure on a newborn, including withdrawal symptoms, short and long term effects, etc. Meyer is also an adoptive mother, and shares her professional and personal experiences, and answers questions attendees may have.
Upcoming Classes:
April 25th, 2018 – Allentown, Pennsylvania – 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
May 15th, 2018 – Lancaster, Pennsylvania – 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
June 5th, 2018 – *WEBINAR* – 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
September 22nd, 2018 – Wilmington, Delaware – 10:30 am – Noon
Understanding Prenatal Exposure
This course will be instructed by Sharon Lavigne, MA, a licensed genetics counselor and coordinator of the MothertoBaby program at UConn Health Center. Lavigne will be speaking on the short and long term effects of alcohol and drug exposure on newborns. In addition, Lavigne will discuss mental health disorders, potential transmission of HIV and other infectious diseases, and more. Highly recommended for prospective adoptive parents.
Upcoming Classes:
April 11th, 2018 – Farmington, Connecticut – 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Managing Difficult Emotions During the Wait
This class will focus on helping adoptive parents manage the difficult emotions of anxiety and depression during the wait for placement. It is being presented by Joni Mantell, LCSW, a psychotherapist specializing in adoption. Mantell is the director of the Infertility and Adoption Counseling Center in NYC and Pennington, NJ, and is an adoptive mother. She will assist adoptive parents with handling the stress of waiting and recovering from any past loss issues, including infertility. Furthermore, she will help attendees to communicate sensitively with expectant and birth parents, and developing resiliency while preparing for parenthood
Upcoming Classes:
May 10th, 2018 – Cherry Hill, New Jersey – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Infant and Child Care
This class will cover the basics of infant and child care including: newborn appearance and behaviors, diapering/dressing, feeding, umbilical cord care, health and safety and more. The course allows learning in a non-medical environment, without a focus on pregnancy and childbirth. This class counts as the agency’s childcare requirement for AFTH families.
Upcoming Classes:
May 7th, 2018 – Harrisburg, PA – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
June 25th, 2018 – Harrisburg, PA – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
September 17th, 2018 – Harrisburg, PA – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
November 5th, 2018 – Harrisburg, PA – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Adoptive and Birth Parent Panel
This is a panel discussion, allowing waiting families to gain insight on the experiences of other adoptive and birth parents. Speakers will discuss openness, medical history of birth parents’, hospital time, and more. Questions are encouraged.
Upcoming Classes:
April 21st, 2018 – New Castle, Delaware – 10:30 am – Noon
