You are invited to attend an evening celebration to honor AOCM's 30th anniversary and our commitment to opening hearts to adoption through new and exciting initiatives. The "Forever in My Heart" gala is Friday, Nov. 1, at Midland Hills Country Club. Mark your calendars and register now! http://foreverinmyheartmn.org/

What a great day at Como Senior High! Sara, Elise, Kelly and Nancy educated and informed 185 students on the option of adoption. As these women shared their stories -- with grace, dignity and love -- the students listening intently. When we finished, the panelists were peppered with questions. One student even shared that she was adopted and loved hearing our stories! Thank you, volunteers! And thanks to the students who requested our Speakers' Panel!

This weekend seems like the perfect time to post a very moving story of a mother's love for her child, as told by an 18-year-old Minnesota woman. We thank her for allowing AOCM to include this in our online scrapbook. Please join her effort to build a culture of support for adoption by sharing your story or sponsoring a scrapbook. You'll find info on both options on this link.

‘Everyone deserves a happy ending’

minnesotalovesadoption.org

A teenager sits and dreams of her future. She dreams of enjoying her youth at a university somewhere. She imagines creating lifelong memories with her lifelong friends. She hopes to graduate and begin a career in a field that she loves. She aspires to walk down the aisle one day and seal her lifelon...

Wow! The AOCM Speakers' Panel has been invited to 7 more schools before the end of May. We need speakers on May 8, 14 and 31. If you are available to volunteer, please contact colleen@adoptionoptionmn.org. Thanks for making this a BIG year for opening hearts for adoption!

Dodging the late April snowstorm, AOCM's Speakers' Panel arrived at Minnetonka High School to share their stories with 85 students (three classes) today! Adoptive mom, Pam, and her 17-year-old daughter, Lisa, joined the panel for the first time. Lisa's birth mom was going to join, too, but the weather kept her away. Hal, an adoptive dad of two sons, and Kate, birth mom to a 12-year-old also contributed their stories. These real stories -- tears and all -- show what courage it takes to make an adoption plan for a child, how adoption can benefit the adopted person, and the respect adoptive families have for birth parents.

AOCM's Speakers' Panel has reached a record-breaking 2,000 students this school year with real, honest adoption stories! The Speakers' Panel needs volunteers for two more presentations: May 20 in Roseville and May 28 in Eagan. Both are "encore" opportunities, where teachers were so impressed by the Panel, they want another group of students to hear the presentation. If you are able to volunteer, please contact colleen@adoptionoptionmn.org. Thanks!

AOCM's welcomed new volunteers Sara (birth mother) and Nikki and Mike (adoptive parents) to our Speakers' Panel at Eagan High School yesterday. We had a great time sharing with more then 40 students. The students especially enjoyed meeting Nikki and Mike's 11 month-old adopted son! We were thrilled when Rachel Fair, the teacher, invited us to come back again!

With great sadness, we say good-bye to a woman who helped create our nonprofit. She served on the board of directors until just a few years ago, using her gentle wit and wisdom to guide key decisions. We extend our condolences to Gert's family.

Gertrude O'Donnell Rocheford's Obituary on Star Tribune

www.legacy.com

Read the Obituary and view the Guest Book, leave condolences or send flowers. | Rocheford, Gertrude O'Donnell Age 84, of Edina. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom; sisters, Elaine Barrett and Mary Jean Boran; nephews, Ric and Tim Barrett and Mark Boran. Survived by

Researchers at two universities are asking members of the adoption community to complete surveys to help assess families' needs and characteristics.

Adoptive, foster, and kinship parents — Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are conducting a survey regarding the needs of adoptive, foster, and kinship care families.The goal is to learn what contributes to positive outcomes for children, youth, and families. The survey is open to parents from across North America, and the researchers want to hear from as many families as possible—both those who are experiencing challenges as well as those who are not. Complete the survey

People who were adopted transracially — Lehigh University is asking for input from individuals who identify as a member of a racial minority group, have been transracially adopted by white parents or a single white parent, currently live in North America, and are 18 years of age or older. The study is designed to explore the life experiences and well-being of racial minority individuals who have been transracially adopted by white parents. The researchers' goal is to contribute to the understanding of the experiences of adopted persons raised by parents with different racial backgrounds and experiences from their own.
Complete the survey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/transracialadoptionsurvey


Both studies have been approved by their respective university's Institutional Review Board.

Thank you, Sadie Johnson, White Bear Lake High School (North), for giving our Speakers' Panel (well, only one speaker this time due to a March snowstorm) a chance to share the adoption option with 25 students in her child development class. Colleen T. (pictured here) enjoyed interacting with the students by sharing her adoption story and answering the students' questions. Thanks to panelists Hal K. and Kate G. for trying to get to the school. Your efforts were appreciated!

Special request: Our Speakers' Panel is hitting the road to present adoption to high school students in Canon Falls on the morning of Friday, March 22. We need volunteers to participate on the Panel. If your life has been touched by adoption and you'd like to volunteer as a speaker, please contact Colleen at colleen@adoptionoptionmn.org to learn more. Thanks!

This is an amazing video about international adoption! http://buy.stuckdocumentary.com/

Stuck

buy.stuckdocumentary.com

AOCM's Speakers' Panel visited several high schools this week, from Rogers to Rochester and points between. At each stop, a team of volunteers shared unique and intensely personal stories with students, all in an effort to open hearts and minds to the option of adoption. We are so proud of the courage and passion of each volunteer! Thank you!

As of March 15th, there will be a change in services provided by the Adoption Support Network (ASN). ASN will continue to host 15 parent support groups around the state of Minnesota as well as private Facebook support groups for adoptive parents. As of March 15, 2013, however, ASN will no longer have a staff of parent support specialists who can provide direct phone and e-mail support to adoptive families in their communities. NACAC is very grateful for the incredible work the parent support specialists have done to help Minnesota’s adoptive families, and is so sorry that we cannot continue to provide this level of support.

Since its creation in March 2010, the Adoption Support Network has been funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) with federal adoption incentive funds—funds generated when the state increases its number of adoptions. Unfortunately, the available funds have dropped in recent years and are no longer enough to cover the full program. NACAC would love to be able to continue the entire Adoption Support Network and is actively looking for funds to do so.

NACAC is exploring other funding options, but until we find additional funds we cannot continue to provide these direct services for adoptive families.

We encourage families to join the ASN Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/10150139758075594/) and to attend in-person support groups whenever possible.

A listing of the ASN support groups is available on the MN ADOPT website: http://www.mnadopt.org. As a reminder, adoptive families can also access assessments, resource information, referrals to adoption-competent mental health professionals and, in some cases, funding for innovative post-adoption therapeutic services by calling MN ADOPT at 1-855-670-HELP.

Adoption Support Network (Minnesota)

This forum allows Minnesota adoptive parents to connect with one another and share resources, information, and ideas.

PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALISTS

Twin Cities Metro Area
Alicia Griffin
612-570-2000 / ...523 members · Join Group

NACAC Is Offering Another Webinar on the Adoption Tax Credit - On March 19, at 7 pm central time (5 pm pacific, 6 pm mountain, and 8 pm eastern), NACAC will ofer a webinar on the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. During the webinar, participants will learn the steps they need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. The focus will be on filing for 2012, but will also cover applying for the credit for adoptions as far back as 2005.

Presenter Josh Kroll will explain what parents need to do to take advantage of the credit. Key points include that the credit is not a refundable credit for 2012 and that parents who adopt children who receive adoption subsidy benefits do not need to have expenses to claim the credit. The session will focus on families who adopted children with special needs from foster care but will be applicable to all adoptive families as well. During the session, participants will be able to type in questions that they would like answered.

Fees for the webinar are $15 for NACAC members and $20 for non-members.


To register, visit https://www.nacac.org/secure/webinarregistration.html.

NACAC | About NACAC

www.nacac.org

NACAC is hosting a webinar on the adoption tax credit at 7 pm central time on February 28, 2013. During this webinar, participants will learn the steps they need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. The focus will be on filing for 2012, but will also cover applying for the credi...

Many thanks to our dedicated volunteers who have braved snowy roads in the last week to present adoption to high school students. Today the Speakers' Panel visited Armstrong High School (bright and early!). Last week, the Panel talked with more than 180 students at Roseville Area High School. The school program is growing so quickly! This important outreach effort would not be possible without wonderful volunteers (49 and counting) and our enthusiastic coordinator, volunteer Colleen Tronson!

AOCM is now accepting applications for the Adoption Option Scholarship Program. Minnesota birth parents who are pursuing a college education may be eligible. The deadline is March 31. Please spread the word.

Scholarship Program - Adoption Option Council of Minnesota

www.aocmn.org

To provide support and affirmation to birth parents, AOCM awards scholarships to applicants who have chosen adoption and wish to pursue secondary and higher education during the upcoming academic year.

This is a powerful look inside an open adoption plan. What a great quote about the birth mother: "She is brave and strong."

Minnesota teen's unplanned pregnancy leads to open adoption and new definition of family | INFORUM |

www.inforum.com

MOORHEAD - Terae DeMarais grew up living a normal life outside Monticello, Minn. Her home consisted of two parents, two sets of grandparents, great-grandparents, one older brother, a boyfriend and good friends. She played tennis, was captain of the basketball team and was a lifeguard at the local…

NACAC Is Offering a Webinar on the Adoption Tax Credit

On February 28, at 7 pm central (5 pm pacific, 6 pm mountain, and 8 pm eastern), NACAC will ofer a webinar on the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. During the webinar, participants will learn the steps they need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. The focus will be on filing for 2012, but will also cover applying for the credit for adoptions as far back as 2005.

Presenter Josh Kroll will explain what parents need to do to take advantage of the credit. Key points include that the credit is not a refundable credit for 2012 and that parents who adopt children who receive adoption subsidy benefits do not need to have expenses to claim the credit. The session will focus on families who adopted children with special needs from foster care but will be applicable to all adoptive families as well. During the session, participants will be able to type in questions that they would like answered.

Fees for the webinar are $15 for NACAC members and $20 for non-members.

To register, visit https://www.nacac.org/secure/webinarregistration.html.

NACAC | About NACAC

www.nacac.org

NACAC is hosting a webinar on the adoption tax credit at 7 pm central time on February 28, 2013. During this webinar, participants will learn the steps they need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. The focus will be on filing for 2012, but will also cover applying for the credi...

Thanks to Woodbury High School teacher Joanna Lerud (center) for inviting AOCM Speakers' Panel in to share our stories with two classes this week. More than 60
students listened to the experiences of two adoptive mothers and a birth mother. AOCM welcomes new panelists Sherri Carpenter (left) and Nancy Helfinstine (right) to our group! AOCM is on track to visit 14 schools in the months ahead. New volunteers are always welcome!

Parental Openness Can Help Children Learn to Trust

The most recent issue of NACAC's newsletter Adoptalk features a wonderful article by Dr. Jonathan Baylin and Dr. Daniel Hughes.

The Science of Parent-Child Relationships: Parental Openness Can Help Children Learn to Trust explains how research has shed light on the effects of trauma on children and youth, and how parenting children who mistrust can affect caregivers' brains as well. Drs. Hughes and Baylin will be the keynote speakers at the NACAC conference in Toronto, and will present an all-day pre-conference session too.

Read the full article here - http://www.nacac.org/adoptalk/scienceofrelationships.html

NACAC | Adoptalk Articles & Publications

www.nacac.org

by Jonathan Baylin, Ph.D. and Daniel Hughes, Ph.D. Dr. Baylin and Dr. Hughes are coauthors of Brain-Based Parenting: The Neuroscience of Caregiving for Healthy Attachment, published in 2012 by Norton Press. They will present both a keynote session and a full-day preconference training at the NACAC c...