Post Adoption Education Workshops/Speakers/Seminars

Strengthening Family Relationships
Thursday - February 21st 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Facilitated by Duane Bjerke, LSS Counseling & Family Resources
Spend an interactive evening with your child/ren ages 5 – 12 learning and practicing effective family skills.  Parents:  learn how to stay in charge.  Children:  learn how to talk to your parents.  Practice communication and rules for your family.
Lutheran Social Service State Center
2485 Como Ave. Saint Paul, MN
$10 per family
Pizza Dinner will be provided at 6:00 pm
Note: Childcare will be provided for younger children in family who aren't participating in the event.
To register or for more information, please contact Bonnie K. at 612-879-5248

“Orientation to Searching” workshop

Thursday – March 6th 7:00 – 9:30 pm

If you are considering initiating a search for your birth parent or a search for the son or daughter

you placed for adoption, or, if you are already in process, then this workshop is for you! Hear about the experiences of those who have searched or who have been found, as well as gain a greater understanding of the ‘ins and outs’ of the process. Bring a support person with you—someone who will share this process with you. You will be better prepared for the journey ahead!

Lutheran Social Service State Center

2485 Como Ave. Saint Paul, MN
$12 and free for any support people who accompany you

To register, please call Bonnie Coyer @ 612-879-5248 by March 3

 

“Looking Ahead: Adopted Pre-Teens and Teens”---a two part series

Monday – April 21^st 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Monday – April 28^th 7:00 – 8:30 pm

The number one question parents ask is “What’s normal and what’s adoption?” This workshop,

taught by Anu Sharma, psychologist and Roger Svendsen, prevention specialist, will help unravel what to expect during the pre-teen and teen years, and will offer practical advice on talking to your adopted children about tricky issues such as alcohol, drugs, and risky behaviors

Lutheran Social Service State Center

2485 Como Ave. Saint Paul, MN
$25 per individual, $30 per couple  -- for the two part series

To register, please call Bonnie Coyer @ 612-879-4248 by April 17

Family Education Series:  Children’s Mental Health – What You Need to Know!
presented by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota/ MN ASAP / Hennepin County Foster Care

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD in Children
Thursday - January 24th 6:30 - 9:30 pm
Featuring Anne Gearity, PHD, Washburn Child Guidance Center and U of M Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Learn to identify the life events that cause trauma.  Understand how trauma can lead to PTSD.  Recognize the symptoms and warning signs of PTSD.  Learn effective techniques for helping children manage symptoms of PTSD.  Understand the cultural considerations regarding identification and treatment of PTSD.
Health Services Building (HSB)
525 Portland Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN
$15 per parenting couple or  $10 per individual
Free parking available in the HCMC ramp between 6^th & 7^th Streets/Portland and Park Avenues.  Enter from either 6^th or 7^th.  Skyway level crosses to HSB.  Bring your ticket in to be stamped!
To register or for more information, please contact Bonnie Coyer @ 612-879-5248 or register online at www.mnasap.org

Anxiety in Children – What it Looks Like/What it Means in Your Family
Saturday – February 16th   9:00 am - noon
Ted Thompson, Licensed Psychologist in Private Practice discusses anxiety - one of the most common mental health concerns in children.  To people without anxiety, it doesn’t make sense that others feel anxious about seemingly insignificant events.  Mental health concerns often aren’t rational.  Learn how anxiety disorders start and how you can help children in your home feel calmer.
Health Services Building (HSB)
525 Portland Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN
$15 per parenting couple or  $10 per individual
Free parking available in the HCMC ramp between 6^th & 7^th Streets/Portland and Park Avenues.  Enter from either 6^th or 7^th.  Skyway level crosses to HSB.  Bring your ticket in to be stamped!
To register or for more information, please contact Janet Hammer @ 612-746-5125 or register online at www.mnasap.org

When Someone in the Family Has Mental Health Issues
Tuesday – March 25th   6:30 - 9:00 pm
Deena McMahon, LICSW, Therapeutic Services Agency, In-home therapist leads a discussion of family relationships, the impact on siblings and sibling relationships and how to improve family functioning when there is a child with a mental health diagnosis in the family.
Health Services Building (HSB)
525 Portland Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN
$15 per parenting couple or  $10 per individual
Free parking available in the HCMC ramp between 6^th & 7^th Streets/Portland and Park Avenues.  Enter from either 6^th or 7^th.  Skyway level crosses to HSB.  Bring your ticket in to be stamped!
To register or for more information, please contact Janet Hammer @ 612-746-5125 or register online at www.mnasap.org

Creating Sexual Safety for Adopted and Foster Children and Their Families
Wednesday – April 9th 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Rick Gertsema, Licensed Psychologist, Hermantown Clinic in Duluth MN discusses the impact of sexual abuse on children.  Learn what is developmentally appropriate and what constitutes developmental "arrest".  Discuss ideas on how to keep everyone safe when a child or children in the home have a sexual abuse history.
Health Services Building (HSB)
525 Portland Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN
$15 per parenting couple or  $10 per individual
Free parking available in the HCMC ramp between 6^th & 7^th Streets/Portland and Park Avenues.  Enter from either 6^th or 7^th.  Skyway level crosses to HSB.  Bring your ticket in to be stamped!
To register or for more information, please contact Janet Hammer @ 612-746-5125 or register online at www.mnasap.org

Aggression in Children
Saturday – April 19th 9:00 am - noon
Ted Thompson, Licensed Psychologist, speaks about aggression in children. Why are some children so aggressive? Are there gender or cultural issues at play? Are there mental health issues that cause aggression? Many children in foster care do have problems with aggression; is it what they have learned? Come learn techniques and strategies for dealing with aggressive children.
Health Services Building (HSB)
525 Portland Avenue S. Minneapolis, MN
$15 per parenting couple or  $10 per individual
Free parking available in the HCMC ramp between 6^th & 7^th Streets/Portland and Park Avenues.  Enter from either 6^th or 7^th.  Skyway level crosses to HSB.  Bring your ticket in to be stamped!
Register online at www.mnasap.org

Parenting Style and Mental Health

Thursday – April 24th 6:30 - 9:30 pm
What is your parenting style? If your child has mental health diagnoses, learn how your style impacts the well-being of your child and your family. Join marriage and family therapist Paul Buckley for an enjoyable and informative evening describing children’s mental health diagnoses and which parenting style works best with each diagnosis.

Health Services Building (HSB)

525 Portland Avenue South    Minneapolis MN

$15 per parenting couple or $10 per individual
Free parking available in the HCMC ramp between 6^th & 7^th Streets/Portland and Park Avenues.  Enter from either 6^th or 7^th.  Skyway level crosses to HSB.  Bring your ticket in to be stamped!
To register or for more information, please contact Janet Hammer @ 612-746-5125 or register online at www.mnasap.org

Depression: What It Is/What It Isn’t

Thursday – May 22, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Krista Nelson, LICSW, LMFT, therapist in private practice, St Paul MN discusses depression. What is depression and how prevalent is this diagnosis in our culture and in children in care? What are the signs and symptoms? Depression often is missed in diagnosing children’s mental health, what are the symptoms? What is the chemistry of joy? Answers to these questions and more!

Health Services Building (HSB)

525 Portland Avenue South    Minneapolis MN

$15 per parenting couple or $10 per individual
Free parking available in the HCMC ramp between 6^th & 7^th Streets/Portland and Park Avenues.  Enter from either 6^th or 7^th.  Skyway level crosses to HSB.  Bring your ticket in to be stamped!
To register or for more information, please contact Janet Hammer @ 612-746-5125 or register online at www.mnasap.org

Bipolar Disorder: What It Means to Your Family

Tuesday – June 3, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Meet Elizabeth Reeve, MD, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Regions Hospital and find out how Bipolar disorder is diagnosed. What does it look like in children? Learn about this more commonly diagnosed mental health condition and how to respond to the diagnosis.

Health Services Building (HSB)

525 Portland Avenue South    Minneapolis MN

$15 per parenting couple or $10 per individual
Free parking available in the HCMC ramp between 6^th & 7^th Streets/Portland and Park Avenues.  Enter from either 6^th or 7^th.  Skyway level crosses to HSB.  Bring your ticket in to be stamped!
To register or for more information, please contact Janet Hammer @ 612-746-5125 or register online at www.mnasap.org