News

Nebraska's First Adoption Conference Underway in Lincoln

Posted: 9:07 AM Aug 9, 2012
Reporter: 10/11 News

Nebraska is holding its first statewide adoption conference in Lincoln August 9-10, to help prepare parents and professionals to provide permanent, loving families for children in foster care.

Nationally-known adoption experts are speaking at the two-day symposium, which focuses on best practices across the adoption spectrum, including pre- and post-adoption, as well as trauma and loss and disruption prevention.

The event is sponsored and organized by Right Turn and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Right Turn, LLC is a collaborative partnership between Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska and the Nebraska Children’s Home Society. Both Right Turn and DHHS are committed to ensuring all Nebraska children have a family.

“Anyone involved in adoption – whether they are a professional, a parent, or a teacher – should consider attending this conference,” said Jessica Vandercoy, program director of Right Turn. “These sessions and keynote will not only focus on the process of adoption, but also the challenges – especially how to reduce the risk of disruption.”

Sessions for parents and educators will provide guidance on responding to children’s mental health needs, especially understanding the core issues of adoption and how to help children heal from past trauma and loss. Ethics, legislative policy, and additional legal tracks are targeted for professionals working in the juvenile court system. Participants can earn up to 13 continuing education credits.

Since its inception, Right Turn has become a leader in post-adoption services, supporting adoptive families and identifying gaps in and barriers to services in Nebraska. A 20-month analysis of reports to DHHS has uncovered significant gaps in service and barriers to delivery across Nebraska. Seven of those key gaps are outlined on the accompanying fact sheet.

The goal of this new conference is to provide continuing education to close these gaps in knowledge and break down these barriers to service and delivery, Vandercoy said.

Details, speakers and registration for the 2012 Adoption Conference are available at www.RightTurnNE.org/conference. Or call Suz Bittner at 402.661.7107.