Adoptive Families Together (AFT)

Workshops
Dr. Lisa Albers Prock Workshops
Parent Groups
Group Schedule
Online Discussion Group
AFT Materials
Membership
Contact AFT

Adoptive Families Together forms a supportive network of adoptive parents who can combine experiences and information to strengthen our families and our adoptions.  AFT families have adopted children domestically and internationally, infants and older children, kin and children with special needs.  We welcome adopted persons, guardians, birth and foster parents, professionals working in the field of adoption and, of course, all adoptive families.

Parents enter adoption with personal visions of what becoming a family by adoption would be like.  Many of us have been challenged by adoption concerns such as identity, loss and separation.

We know love is not enough.

We know that education, information, advocacy and the support of other families who have been there enhance the success of our families after our children have been placed.

W.I.S.E. Up Workshops
A training developed by the Center for Adoption and Support, W.I.S.E. Up is an award winning curriculum to teach children. ages 6-12, how to respond to questions about their adoption experience.  The workshop provides a framework to respond in a variety of ways using group discussion and role playing.  While children are meeting, parents will come together to be trained on the W.I.S.E. Up curriculum in order to support their children using these newly learned strategies.

Cost is $20 Registration for AFT members, $30 Registration for non-members plus $14/per child (for workbook).

Pre-registration is required and registration is limited.  Please mail a completed registration form and check payable to "MSPCC".  For more information contact Lori Baeumler at (617) 587-1522 or lbaeumler@mspcc.org.

Click here for a registration form

Workshops with Dr. Lisa Albers Prock, MD MPH

Adoptive Families Together (AFT) is thrilled to present two exciting and informative workshops with Dr. Lisa Albers Prock, MD MPH, FAAP.  Dr. Lisa Albers Prock is the Director of the Adoption Program in the Developmental Behavioral Pediatric Services Center of Children's Hospital in Boston.  These workshops are free and open to anyone with a connection with adoption/foster care but registration is required.  Please call Lori Baeumler at (617) 587-1522 to register and for more information.

Date: Sunday, May 2nd
Time: 9am-11am
Location: MSPCC office 157 Green St. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Topic: Psychiatric Medications for Children Necessities and Risks
Presented by: Dr. Lisa Albers Prock MD, MPH, FAAP Developmental Medicine Center at Children’s Hospital Boston, MA


Date: Sunday, June 13th
Time: 9am-11am
Location: MSPCC office 157 Green St. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Topic:  Diagnosis and Treatment for Developmental/Emotional Concerns of Adopted/Foster Children
Presented by: Dr. Lisa Albers Prock MD, MPH, FAAP Developmental Medicine Center at Children’s Hospital Boston, MA

Parent Groups
The service we consider most important is our network of monthly parent groups hosted and facilitated by AFT Parent Coordinators.  These parent-run, confidential groups are primarily open discussions during which parents can share their personal concerns and needs around adoptive parenting.  On occasion, we invite speakers with expertise on issues relevant to our children and families to educate our group participants.

Collectively, our parents represent the best source of knowledge, resources and insight into understanding and meeting the needs of their children.  Through mutual sharing and support, parents build a network with other adoptive parents in their communities.

Groups are meeting monthly in communities in Massachusetts!  To learn more about our Parent Support Groups, or to get dates and the location of a group in your area, please call us at (617) 587-1522 or click on the group schedule below:

2010 Summer Schedule 
2010 Fall Schedule

Online Discussion Group
Our moderated online group provides parents with a 24-hour support forum, focusing on children with challenging behaviors and complex needs.  Parents use the online group to seek information, share stories, gain and offer support.  The group's knowledgeable and experienced parents are especially helpful to newly forming families.  If you are interested in joining, email aftlist-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to subscribe.

AFT Materials
AFT provides many resources, including our newsletter, book, pamphlets, a selection of recommended reading, web links to local and national adoption-related organizations, and post-adoption services in Massachusetts.  We publish the following:

Books

• In Their Own Words . . . Reflections on Parenting Children with Mental Health Issues: The Effect on Families: Thanks to the generosity of AFT members and friends, the 3rd edition of our resource book, In Their Own Words...Reflections on Parenting Children with Mental Health Issues: The Effect on Families is available.  By request, this edition is updated and revised to be a resource for families nationally.  Massachusetts resource listings are available as an insert.  All members receive a copy of this book with their new member packages.  If you are interested in purchasing additional copies, please contact us at (617) 587-1522 or emailing us.

Pamphlet Series
A complete set of pamphlets is free when you subscribe as a member.  Members may purchase additional copies and non-members can order pamphlets at a cost of $4.00 each by calling us at (617) 587-1522 or emailing us.

• The Anniversary Collection - A selection of prose and poetry by AFT members previously published in our newsletters.
• Choosing a Therapist - Although one of the most important decisions a parent will make, this process is often confusing and intimidating for those of us unfamiliar with the world of mental health.  Here is an easy to read guide to inform and assist you.
• Restraint and Seclusion - What defines restraint and seclusion?  How do these actions affect our children both emotionally and physically?  This pamphlet includes methods of proactively questioning your child care provider to reduce and eliminate restraint and/or seclusion from your child's treatment plan.
• When The Going Gets Tough - What constitutes a crisis?  How will I know and what should I do?  Pam Pamphlet includes criteria, pro-active language, and a suggested plan of action.
• Reading and 'Riting and 'Rithmetic...Children with Loss Issues, Complex Families and Their School Experience - Children often feel different when traditional school assignments ask for personal information they may not have or feel comfortable sharing.
• School Days...What Adoptive Parents Would Like Teachers to Know - This pamphlet relates learning objectives to assignments and gives concrete suggestions that will expand assignments to include all children.
• Difference Matters - Articles about racial differences, racism, bullying, and suggested strategies to help children learn to be safe.
• Parent to Parent...AFT Adoptive Parents Share their Lessons Learned - As parents of children who have been adopted, we have a big job to do.  Here is a collection of tried and true suggestions and tips from AFT parents.

Newsletters
AFT members will be mailed our Children's Champion Newsletter, which is issued three times a year.

Alternatives to the Traditional Family Tree Assignments
AFT developed a series of worksheets to use instead of traditional family trees.  These alternatives are more reflective of the complex family structures of children in every classroom.

Membership
AFT member benefits include:

• Tri-annual issues of the Children's Champion Newsletter, MSPCC's informative newsletter.
• A copy of In Their Own Words, a resource for parents and professionals.
• The AFT Present educational pamphlet series.
• Joining a network of parents and professionals committed to supporting and educating each other and the larger communities about our children.

To become a member, fill out the New Membership Form and send it to:

MSPCC/AFT
99 Summer Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02110

Or contact Lori Baeumler at (617) 587-1522 or lbaeumler@mspcc.org.

Contact AFT
For questions or more information about AFT, please contact Lori Baeumler at (617) 587-1522 or lbaeumler@mspcc.org.