MAA Trainings

International Adoption: Dynamics of Adoption Training

ALL families currently working with Madison Adoption Associates (MAA) are welcome to register and participate for extra training hours. However, please note that this training is a requirement for any Illinois family completing a home study with MAA and for all placement families involved in any of our Latin America programs, regardless of who is completing the home study.

The Training Session will cover important issues for parents to consider as they plan for an international adoption. The curriculum includes: Expectations, Grief/Loss/Trauma, Seven Core Issues in Adoption, History In Adoption, Positive Adoption Language, Adoption as a Legal Process, Hague Convention, Voluntary & Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights, Medical Risks, Risk Factors – Genetic/Emotional/Development/Language/Sensory/Fine Motor, Lifebook’s, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Sleep Struggles/ Feeding Issues/Attachment Issues, Self-Care, Post Adoption Services, TBRI, Searching for Birth Families, Obtaining Birth and Adoption Records, Blocked Care/Blocked Trust.

Madison Adoption Associates will hold this training on the following dates and times by Zoom for 2023.

2023 Dates/Locations                  Trainer
Saturday, January 28                   Sarah Usery
Saturday, April 22                          Sarah Usery
Saturday, July 15                           Sarah Usery
Saturday, November 18              Sarah Usery

ALL Training Sessions are from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST / 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST via Zoom.  Additional hours of in person training hours are available on these dates if previously arranged with Misty Lucas.

Cost:
FREE for Madison Adoption Associates clients that have already paid for MAA’s Hague Training (CAF)
$100 for Madison Adoption Associates clients (per family) that have NOT paid for MAA’s Hague Training (CAF)
$150 per session for clients (per family) from other agencies.
Single applicants are welcome to bring a support person.

All participants must register online at least a week in advance, utilizing the red button to the right.  All fees for the non-MAA families will be invoiced for the training and fees must be received two days before the training.  If fees are not received two days prior to the training, then participants will not be issued a certificate for the training.  If there are any questions please contact Marianne Akers at 217-498-9700 or Marianne@MadisonAdoption.org.

If a Prospective Parent requests an individual training session, the fee is double and the training will only be held in the Madison Adoption Associates office.

Please contact Misty Lucas, Misty@MadisonAdoption.org, if you have any questions.

Training with an MAA Expert

The staff at Madison Adoption Associates is excited to join you on your international adoption journey!  We feel that the best gift we can give you is training.  We are never too old to learn and the dynamics of adoption are unique.  It is our hope to provide opportunities for you as a parent to grow as you take on the role of parenting your child.  We are here to support you!  The following trainings are available to adoptive families. To register, please click on the red box to the lower right of the screen “Register For MAA Training.” If there is an issue with registering, please contact Misty Lucas at Misty@MadisonAdoption.org. (Registration for each training closes 24 hours prior to the training.)  Once you have registered, a Zoom link will be sent to you to participate in the training.  Trainings are held from 5:00 EST to 7:00 EST.  Participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Latin American Culture Awareness offered to our families adopting from any of our Latin America Programs (Colombia, Ecuador, and Dominican Republic):  This training will help families understand a bit of the Latin American culture with some hints about the specific country they are adopting from, so families can learn about common behaviors and cultural differences. Though the training cannot cover the cultural variety, it will provide helpful information about some cultural cues of your child’s country of origin while in-country, as well as keeping it present as part of your child’s and family identity.

  • March 15, 2023
  • August 16, 2023
  • November 15, 2023

My Child’s Journey to Adoption – for ALL MAA Placement FamiliesThis training provides a comprehensive viewpoint of your child’s emotional journey to be part of your family, while understanding the foster care system and its impact on the brain and the attachment cycle.

  • January 18, 2023
  • May 17, 2023
  • September 13, 2023

Once we are Home: What to Expect – for ALL MAA Placement FamiliesComing home with your child is a joy, but it also brings many changes and challenges. This training intends to help families be aware of those feelings and behaviors that may appear during this time. Adjustment takes longer than expected and having additional tools may help navigate those feelings and situations while helping your child cope with being in a new culture.

  • February 15, 2023
  • June 14, 2023
  • October 11, 2023