ONE LOVE conference weekend schedule

details not included here about the conference can be found on this blog post or on facebook 

for more information or questions please contact FSA-OR@ldsfamilyservices.org

FRIDAY NOV 4TH
LDSFS adoption training from noon - 5pm
FSA temple session 7pm - meet at 645 in the chapel
'Birthmothers ~~ fun and fabulous' roller skating extravaganza 7-11pm. details on facebook

SATURDAY NOV 5TH

ONE LOVE

9am - 10 am mingle, breakfast, welcome, keynote speaker - Scott Adams, adoptee and adoption attorney

Morning Session 10am - noon
A Track: 10 am - noon The Brain in traumatized Children by Bethany Christian Services (amazing - dont miss this one!!) 
B Track: 10- 11 am 'New to Adoption?' orientation with Oregon LDSFS caseworkers
               11-noon Race and Culture in Adoption with Pamela Stoddard
C Track: 10-11 am Financial Planning for Adoption and more with Rick Ray
               11-noon "How to be a good adoptive couple" with Adoptive mom and regional FSA co-chair Rebecca Harrison and Birthmother Katie
D Track **birthparent track**: 11 am - noon Not 'just' a Birthmom led by Meg

Lunch noon -1 pm.
adoptive couples bring a hard copy of your hoping to adopt profile if you want constructive criticism form birthparents. 


Afternoon Session 1pm - 5pm
A Track: 1pm - 2:10 pm Adoption Law with Attorney Scott Adams
                2:20 - 3:30 pm Adopting Through the State with Madeline Hodge
B Track:  1pm - 2:10 pm Preparing for the Playground, and Beyond- teaching your children how to talk about their adoption with confidence with Adoptive Moms Carrie and Michelle
                2:20 pm - 3:30 pm  Openness Panel - adoptive couples and birthparents answer questions and share experiences about openness in adoption.
D Track **birthparent track** : 1pm - 2:10 pm Grief taught by Seattle caseworker Tawnia Singleton;
                2:20-3:30 pm birthparents are invited to attend the Openness panel


Birth Parent Panel Q&A
3:40- 5pm    Questions will be submitted by conference participants throughout the day and the birthparent panel will answer them according to their personal experiences. We are super excited to have 2 birth fathers on the panel this year!

Dinner for birthparents 5:30 pm 

The literal meaning of aloha is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. Its deep meaning starts by teaching ourselves to love our own beings first and afterwards to spread the love to others.

According to the old kahunas (priests), being able to live the Spirit of Aloha was a way of reaching self-perfection and realization for our own body and soul. Aloha is sending and receiving a positive energy. Aloha is living in harmony. When you live the Spirit of Aloha, you create positive feelings and thoughts, which are never gone. They exist in space, multiply and spread over to others. 

ONE LOVE

"ONE LOVE." 

2011 Families Supporting Adoption (FSA) Portland OR conference

You are invited!

Bring friends and family members!

Come bask in the warmth of island aloha with adoptees, birthparents and adoptive couples. 

We all share one love, for adoption and each other. 

FREE to attend - lunch and snacks included

Keynote Speaker:

Scott Adams, Adoptee and Adoption Attorney

**conference schedule is now posted!** 

• classes for families that have already adopted 

1. The Brain in Traumatized Children by Bethany Christian Services
2. Teaching your child(ren) to talk about their adoption with confidence voted one of the BEST classes from the 2011 NATIONAL FSA conference
3. Being a Great Adoptive Couple

           .... and more! 

• classes for birthparents

1. Not just a birthmom taught by Meg A. (birthmother of 11 yrs)
2. 'Grief' taught by Tawnia Singleton from Seattle, WA (caseworker serving birthparents for 20 years)

              .... and more!

• classes for couples just starting the adoption process

1. Adoption and the Law
2. Adopting Through the State
3. Getting Oriented to Adoption

           .... and more!

• PANELS! birthparent panel: audience questions answered by birth mothers and birth fathers from recent placements --> placing 20 yrs ago                

          openness panel: learn [more] about openness and continuing a healthy open relationship from

          couples and birth parents living in an open adoption

          grief panel for birth parents: share with your peers in this eclectic class on creative and healing

          ways to deal with the grief associated with placing a child for adoption

Saturday, November 5  9:00am - 5:00pm

Dakota st. LDS building

11065 sw North Dakota st

Tigard, OR

EVEN MORE!

Nov 4, 12-5:00 PM Adoption Education Training @ LDSFS
Nov 4, 7:00 PM Temple Session-meet in the main chapel. say you are with FSA
Nov 4, 7:00 PM "Birthmothers - Fun and Fabulous" Party 

Nov 5, 5:30 PM Birthparent Activity

Please RSVP!

Please call or email Michelle 

(503) 625-0820–home (971) 235-8455–cell

FSA-OR@ldsfamilyservices.org

NO childcare on site. Please make arrangements for you little ones.

The literal meaning of aloha is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. Its deep meaning starts by teaching ourselves to love our own beings first and afterwards to spread the love to others.

According to the old kahunas (priests), being able to live the Spirit of Aloha was a way of reaching self-perfection and realization for our own body and soul. Aloha is sending and receiving a positive energy. Aloha is living in harmony. When you live the Spirit of Aloha, you create positive feelings and thoughts, which are never gone. They exist in space, multiply and spread over to others. 

FSA Family Fun Night

You are invited to our FSA Family Fun Night on Saturday, May 21st at 5pm.

Let's get together and socialize, enjoy each other's company and friendship! There is plenty of room, both indoors and out! Weather permitting there will be smores at the outdoor firepit with trails for kids to run around on. Games, movies, wii, food! Bring a snack to share and come and hang out. Let's get to know each other better. Mark your calendars now!

Check your email inbox for more information or email Oregon FSA to get more details and don't forget to please RSVP!

fsa-OR@ldsfamilyservices.org

Need education hours?

Northwest Adoptive Families Association (NAFA-a non-profit, all volunteer support group for adoptive families and those interested in adoption) is having their 2011 Conference on Adoption April 15 and 16. It will be held at Lorenzen Conference Center located at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland.

For more information visit their website:
http://www.nafaonline.org/

Faith and Infertility

Faith and Infertility By Melissa Merrill
April 2011 Ensign

Some quotes that stuck out to me. Now go read :)

Curtis and Melody found some of their greatest strength in such support groups, specifically Families Supporting Adoption through LDS Family Services. Although they were nervous about going to their first meeting, when they walked into the room, Melody says, “I saw in every woman’s eyes what I felt in my heart. I felt safe and knew that I could share what I was experiencing.”

...healing, they say, comes from the Lord—not from adopting or conceiving.

“I couldn’t change the infertility, but I could progress in other areas of my life. … I finally realized that infertility wasn’t a punishment. It was my refiner’s fire.”

–Angie Belnap

“What I would have planned for our life would pale in comparison to what God has given us. What He has in mind for His children is better than anything we could ever design.”

–Brenda Horrocks

Previous posts on this blog regarding Oregon House Bill 2904, specifically from February 7 and February 16, expressed opposition to this bill. From reading these posts one may have concluded that Families Supporting Adoption and in turn LDS Family Services have made formal statements regarding HB2904. This is not the case. This blog is not the official website of Families Supporting Adoption and this blog does not speak for Families Supporting Adoption or LDS Family Services.

Regarding House Bill 2904, it is encouraged for each interested citizen to express their voice regarding their given views. It is understood that House Bill 2904 is currently stalled and will not be moving forward as written. It has not been withdrawn. Representative Doherty, the bill’s sponsor, has formed a “work group process to discuss the opportunities for common ground.” The first of such meetings is scheduled for March 10. A proposed revision will be discussed at this meeting, essentially proposing the creation of a 10-day revocation period for a birth parent who consents for the adoption of their child.

If you are interested in learning more about this bill and any revisions in addition to voicing your thoughts regarding this bill you can contact Rep. Margaret Doherty or your local representative.

To contact Rep. Doherty:
(503) 986-1435
rep.margaretdoherty@state.or.us

To learn who your local representatives are by going to this website:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/

A link to House Bill 2904 can be found here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/hb2900.dir/hb2904.intro.pdf

Joseph Daines, LMFT
Executive Director
LDS Family Services-Tigard, Oregon Office

In Regards to House Bill 2904

Direct from Rep. Dohertys office:
Thursday Feb 17th, 2011

We recently had a meeting including some, but not all of the stakeholders involved in this process. The bill in its current form will not be moving forward, however Rep Doherty is hoping to gather a group of stakeholders through either a formal or informal work group process to discuss the opportunities for common ground as well as the lingering issues. As identified in the meeting, some of these overaching issues include:

· Adoption has many competing needs, biological parents, adoptive parents, and the child (and often the adoption agency/financially invested parties).

· Make sure birth mothers have adequate counseling/information to know what their rights are without taking that opportunity away from birth parents who are ready to make the decision, also ensuring adoptive parents are not penalized

· Clear statutory framework for making decisions and revocation (time to decide and process)

· Oversight/monitoring of adoption agencies/processes

· Ensure availability/knowledge of adequate counseling

· Ensure availability/knowledge of independent representation/legal counsel

· Stability for child, biological AND adoptive parents

· Fiscal concerns – increasing work load/process for court staff

If you are interested in playing an active role (attending meetings, providing policy input) in this conversation please let me know and I will add you to our list as we find a way to incorporate all the necessary voices into the conversation in a constructive, respectful manner.

House District 35
Tigard, King City, SW Portland
503) 986-1435
rep.margaretdoherty@state.or.us

Update on Oregon House Bill 2904

If you have not yet contacted and voiced your concerns regarding Oregon House Bill 2904 then this update is for you!

The most effective way to express opposition to HB 2904 now is by to writing Rep Margaret Doherty. ANYone can write in. Please do so BEFORE THURSDAY of this week!

Phone: 503-986-1435
Address: 900 Court St NE, H-282, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: rep.margaretdoherty@state.or.us

For more information and a good explanation of this bill visit the r house blog. The blog post does an excellent job at explaining the current and proposed changes written by an Oregon birth mother.

Negative Adoption Law Change- Your URGENT Help Needed!

Dear FSA Members and Others,

We have a very important and urgent issue concerning adoption here in Oregon. To address it, your help is needed now!! Whether you are an adoptive parent, birth parent, an adoptee, someone touched by adoption or simply a concerned citizen, your voice is needed to protect adoption in Oregon. House Bill 2904 (HB2904) is currently being considered by a committee in the Oregon House of Representatives and were this to pass and become law, adoptions in Oregon may significantly decline.

This bill would take away the current rights and protections that Oregon adoption law currently offers birthparents; namely,the choice to make plans for their child’s future. Simply, this bill will have a chilling effect on the adoption process in the state of Oregon. We need your help to stop this legislation from becoming law!

Link to HB 2409:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measpdf/hb2900.dir/hb2904.intro.pdf

Implications of HB2409

This bill would make it more difficult for birth parents to choose to to place their babies for adoption and make it easier for adoptions to be overturned. Many of the “protections” in this bill are already available to birthmothers according to the current adoption laws, per the birthmother’s choice. This bill would actually take away her ability to make these choices by requiring certain behaviors from the birth parent and not allowing them to waive proposed mandatory waiting periods. Birth parents would be forced to parent for 8 days or the baby would need to be placed in foster care for that period of time, this could not be waived.

Placement of a child with the adoptive family would be delayed. The creation of the 30 day revocation period that cannot be waived by the birth parent, could lead to more disrupted adoptions/placements and could potentially lead to problems with interstate adoption agreements with other states. This bill will make it a requirement for all the information in an adoptive couple’s home study to be seen by the birth parent prior to relinquishment. This bill will create an ‘adoption attorney fee fund’ paid for by Oregon tax payers.

What you can do?

· Contact your Representative (Find your rep here- http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/) and make your opposition to House Bill 2904 known.
o By e-mail
o By regular mail


· Contact members of the House Human Services Committee - Rep. Vic Gilliam, Rep. Carolyn Tomei, Rep. Lew Frederick, Rep. Jim Thompson, Rep. Mitch Greenlick, Rep. Chris Harker, Rep. Julie Parrish and Rep. Jim Weidner.

· Contact members of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Sen. Richard Devlin, Co-Chair, Rep. Peter Buckley, Co-Chair, Rep. Dennis Richardson, Co-Chair, Sen. Betsy Johnson, Vice-Chair, Rep. Bill Garrard, Co-Vice Chair, Rep. Nancy Nathanson, Co-Vice Chair, Sen. Alan C Bates, Sen. Chris Edwards, Sen. Fred Girod, Sen. Rod Monroe, Sen. David Nelson, Sen. Chuck Thomsen, Sen. Joanne Verger, Sen. Doug Whitsett, Sen. Jackie Winters, Rep. E. Terry Beyer, Rep. Jean Cowan, Rep. Tim Freeman, Rep. Betty Komp, Rep. Tina Kotek, Rep. Mike McLane, Rep. Mary Nolan, Rep. Greg Smith, Rep. Kim Thatcher, Rep. Gene Whisnant.

What messages are effective in your communication with Representatives:

· Contact them as an individual and identify your interest/involvement in adoption.
· Do not portray yourself as part of Families Supporting Adoption. Examples: “I am a birth mother and placed my child # years ago…” or “I am an adoptive parent of three children…” or or “I am a concerned citizen…”
· Husbands and wives contact your representative separately. Invite your friends and family to contact their (if they live in Oregon) and your Representatives as well. The more individual voices that are heard, the better!
· Share your personal story (be brief). If it is too long, it may not be read.
· Keep it short, simple and to the point.
· State your opposition.
· Express why you are opposed to this bill. If applicable, express specifically how will/would this bill have impacted you?
· Combining letters from adoptive parents and birth parents who placed with them may be especially effective. Include pictures!
· Of course, be respectful and kind.
· Include your name, address and phone number.

For Example- (Don’t copy, use your own words)

“My name is Carrie and I am an adoptive mom of two children here in the state of Oregon. I want to voice my opposition to House Bill 2904. I believe that it takes away a birthparent’s right to make plans for the future of their child and it will have a negative impact on adoption here in Oregon.”

Emails and letters are the most effective communications right now.
Thank you so much for helping us promote positive adoption experiences in Oregon.
Please contact your representative ASAP!
Please reply to this email to let us know that you have contacted your legislator. Thank you!

Carrie C.
FSA Co-Chair

Upcoming FSA Education Opportunities!

Just a reminder Oregon FSA will host an adoption training in Beaverton on Saturday, February 5th from 10:00am -3:00pm (that is TOMORROW!!). Please remember to RSVP so we can plan for food because lunch is included! We would LOVE to see you there but do not fear there are more opportunities for FSA education in store!

Write down these dates!
May 7 – FSA Training
June 23 – FSA Training
August 12-13 National FSA Conference
Sept 22 --- FSA Training
November 5 – Oregon FSA Conference

For more information or to RSVP please email Michelle at:
FSA-OR@ldsfamilyservices.org