Russia Curtails US Adoptions

Adoption Friends,

Sad news to report ...

According to an article in this morning's USA Today (4/11/07), Russia effectively curtailed US adoption by allowing the accrediations of the last two agencies to expire. According to the article by Wendy Koch, Tom DiFilipo, president of the Joint Council on International Children's Services (www.jcics.org) said, "We've never had this situation before, where we have no accredited agencies" and further says he believes the holdup could last a few months.

In my opinion how incredibly sad - most especially for the children whom I pray find forever homes and are not left in the orphanages. And, for all of those longing to bring them home to their forever family. I hope that this is resolved as soon as possible. Keep the faith.

Robin Bartko

Visit ThinkingOfAdopting.com for independent information and inspiration for your international adoption journey, including adoption telecourses and webinars that let you learn from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Adoption Conference: "Raising & Healing the Adopted Child" May 19th & 20th

Adoption Friends,

No one loves your adopted child more or knows him better than you. You know better than anyone else if your child is hurting or needs help - if something just isn’t “right”. And all too often the search for the true diagnosis of your child's hurt and for effective strategies to help raise and heal your child can be so frustrating. Filled with false starts and dead ends. And while you search you can feel so alone ...

If you’ve been looking for answers, don't miss this opportunity to learn from nationally recognized experts and adoptive parents at the upcoming adoption conference for parents and professionals, Raising & Healing the Adopted Child: Effective Solutions and Practical Strategies to Help Your Child Reach Their Highest Potential

This adoption conference will take place May 19th and 20th 2007 at the Holiday Inn BWI Airport in Linthicum, MD - just south of Baltimore, MD and minutes from both Interstate 95 and Amtrak's BWI Station - convenient to the entire mid-Atlantic region and beyond.

The conference, sponsored by Project Katherine and ThinkingOfAdopting.com, will help you recognize & understand the unique challenges your adopted child may be facing, present you with effective strategies to help heal your child, and teach you how to advocate for your child in order to get them the care of services they need. And very importantly, you'll understand that no matter what challenges you are facing with your adopted child, you don't have to face them alone.

Speakers include nationally recognized experts as well as adoptive parents who have experienced challenges first hand:

• Dr. Ronald S. Federici, ABPN, FACAAP, Developmental Neuropsychologist & Psychopharmacologist – Clinic Director/ Supervisor, Neuropsychological & Family Therapy Associates, Alexandria, VA. Author of Help for the Hopeless Child: A Guide for Families and father to seven internationally adopted children.
  
• Patrick Mason, M.D., Ph.D. – International Adoption Medical Specialist; Founder, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children’s International Adoption Center, Fairfax, VA.
• Alla Gordina, M.D., FAAP – International Adoption Medical Specialist; Global Pediatrics and Family Medicine, International Adoptions Medical Support Services, East Brunswick, NJ.
• Nadya Molina, M.Ed. – Expert in the management and treatment of children with complex developmental disorders such as autism, retardation, multiple learning disabilities, ADHD, and psychiatric disorders.
• William Houston, J.D. – Education Attorney with Dalton, Dalton and Houston. Mr. Houston is an expert in helping parents navigate the special education maze, and a strong advocate for educational rights and proper services for children with special needs.
  
• Bill Delmedico & Cynthia Smith-Federici – Adoptive Parents
  

I hope that you will be able to take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from experts who often are regularly called upon to provide answers and treatment recommendations that no one else has been able to provide. For more information (including a printable brochure) or to register on-line, visit: http://www.thinkingofadopting.com/adoptionconference

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at Robin@ThinkingOfAdopting.com.

Robin Bartko

Visit ThinkingOfAdopting.com for independent information and inspiration for your international adoption journey, including adoption telecourses and webinars that let you learn from the comfort and privacy of your own home.