webinar register page

Topic

Lifelong Connections: How to Facilitate Open Contact in Foster Care and Adoption

Description

CLE credit approved! 1.0 general, 0.5 ethics, & 1.5 adoption law certification credit!

Adoption attorney Maria Bates, members of Florida Youth SHINE, and an adoptive mom will explore the importance of maintaining connections to birth family for youth adopted from state care. The session will prepare participants to facilitate solid “open contact” post-adoption relationships. It will provide resources for reducing and resolving breakdowns before and after the transfer of parental rights. It will also address the ethics and advocacy opportunities in forging these relationships.

3:00pm - 5:00pm EST

Closed captioning will be available

Sponsored by @Florida's Children First and @Florida Youth SHINE. Florida Youth SHINE is a youth-run, peer-driven organization that empowers current and former youth in foster care to become leaders and advocates within their communities. We are proudly supported by Florida's Children First. Our goal is to share our stories and experiences in order to improve the system of care for our brothers and sisters currently in care and for those who have yet to enter care.

Time

Jun 15, 2022 03:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Webinar is over, you cannot register now. If you have any questions, please contact Webinar host: .

All fields are required

Your Information
Send to
Message preview	Hi there, You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Jun 15, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Lifelong Connections: How to Facilitate Open Contact in Foster Care and Adoption Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0BggyPTnQBmQ15PwntJw9w After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. ---------- Webinar Speakers Maria Bates (Attorney @Maria Bates Law PLLC) Maria Bates is licensed in Florida and Washington D.C. and the principal of Maria Bates Law PLLC. Although Maria is a lawyer, she first started her career as a counselor for teenagers dealing with addictions and mental health issues. After law school, she founded two private adoption agencies, served as Executive Director and Agency attorney and assisted hundreds of clients in building their families through adoption and assisted reproduction. Maria serves her clients from a place of passion, knowledge, and experience - having started and run her own small businesses and nonprofits and built her own family through adoption as a single parent. Maria is passionate about helping build families and working with business owners and nonprofits to effect real community change. Learn more about Maria here: https://mariabateslaw.com/about-us Lasean Schofield Adams My name is Lasean Schofield Adams. I am 16 years old and a sophomore in high school. I am a member of the Florida Youth SHINE South West Chapter. The first time I was in foster care, I was just one years old. I was so blessed to be placed with a loving family. My foster dad, Leon, is still a big part of my life today. The second time I came into care, I was eight. Myself and three of my siblings found ourselves scattered throughout SW Florida. Luckily, for my brother and I, a brand-new foster mom named Nikki agreed to reunite us. We lived with her for the next two years. When I was 11, my sister and I opted to reunify with our birth mother; my brother stayed with Nikki. Our reunification lasted, challengingly, for two more years. My sister and I found ourselves back in foster care for a third time in 2018. Today, my brother Byron and I have since been adopted by our foster mom, Nikki. We are loving life, living happily, and reaching our goals. Byron Schofield Adams My name is Byron Schofield Adams and I am 18 years old. I’m a senior in high school and a member of the International Baccalaureate program. I am a member of the Florida Youth SHINE South West Chapter. I will be on my way to USF in June! I’ve been in foster care twice in my life, once when I was 3 and the second time was when I was 10. When I was 3 years old, I was placed with strangers. Little did I know, how much of a building block, Leon and Jessica, would be in my life. After a few months of my second time in care, my brother and I found a new foster mom together. As time went by, my new mom taught me how important it is to be someone that sticks up for myself and others. These days I’m either at school, at my job (McAllister's), doing CrossFit, weight lifting, or home with my family and friends. Nikki Schofield My name is Nikki Schofield. I live in Fort Myers, Florida with my two incredibly remarkable sons, Byron (18) and Lasean (16). We have two furbabies, Nif7fty (yes, he has a silent 7 in his name, silly kids!) and Lola. I hail from New Hampshire, but have called the Sunshine State home since 2004. I am a full-time elementary school teacher, a proud MOM and AUNT, and cheerleader of any activity my sons, nieces, or nephews do. Since 2014, I have fostered 21 kiddos, ages ranging from 6 months to 18 years, adopted two biological brothers, and made it a personal mission of mine to keep siblings together. Shawn Mitchell My Name is Shawn Mitchell. I am currently 22 years old. I am currently at USF and majoring in social work and minoring in sociology. I entered care at 3, adopted at 6, and was placed back in care at 9 due to abuse from my adoptive parents. It took 4 years to finally be heard and that is why I am passionate about youth having a voice. It shouldn't take 4 years for someone to listen to me about my rights and wishes. So many times youth are looked over and looked at that they do not know what they are talking about but when youth are given the chance to express themselves or have a voice on their case they will be more successful and feel that they have control in their life and their future.

Time Zone:

webinar register page

Share via Email

Switch Time Zone

Upcoming Meetings