Welcoming The New Year with Exciting Upcoming Events

This month at Barker, we are thrilled to announce an array of events, educational trainings, and valuable resources that are sure to captivate your interest, broaden your understanding of our mission, and offer support as we collaborate to make a meaningful difference. Your involvement and support is essential to our success.

Upcoming Events: January 2024

Interested in attending any of our upcoming events? Simply click the banner to register today!

This Group welcomes individuals who have either placed a child for adoption or are contemplating the possibility. Its main goal is to offer a safe space where birth parents can engage in open discussions about their personal journeys, while also sharing their emotions and thoughts with others who have walked the same path. The group is expertly guided by a dedicated social worker from the Barker team. 

Are you or someone you know considering adoption? We invite you to join us for an enlightening information session, where you will gain valuable insights into Barker's adoption programs. Hear firsthand from a family who has successfully navigated the adoption process.

Barker's PWNL Families Parent Support Group is dedicated to creating a secure and nurturing online environment where adoptive parents can come together, bond over shared experiences, and receive valuable guidance from an adoption-competent counselor and fellow adoptive parent. This incredible resource is offered completely free of charge and is specifically designed for families who have chosen to adopt through Project Wait No Longer (PWNL). Join us, share your stories, and embark on a journey of learning and growth, hand in hand.

Attend Barker's free information meeting and panel presentation lead by our older child adoption from foster care program team - Project Wait No Longer. Hear directly from those with lived experience and be inspired by the stories of perseverance that will be shared by individuals touched by adoption! If you want to learn more about how you can become a family for a waiting child, this session is for you.

Are you a parent of a young adult who has graduated from high school? This discussion group is specifically designed for you! We will be focusing on the unique challenges and issues that arise during the transition into young adulthood. Our group will be led by a skilled social worker from the Barker staff, ensuring a supportive and knowledgeable environment. Join us as we navigate this exciting stage of life together!

Calling all adoptees! If you're 18 years old or older, this discussion group is tailor-made for you. Join us and let's delve into the depths of our emotions, worries, and curiosities surrounding adoption. This safe space is here to provide you with the opportunity to openly discuss and explore the unique journey of being adopted.

In this international information meeting, our team of experienced adoption professionals will delve into a range of important topics, including the process of international adoption, Barker's  country programs, the criteria for eligibility, the necessary documentation involved, and the comprehensive home study and post-placement services provided by Barker. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to listen to a heartfelt account from a family who have adopted a child from another country. Barker can help you explore adoption from ANY country! Register today!

Are you considering adoption? Join us for our upcoming Pre-Adoption Training, where we will provide valuable information and guidance on the adoption process. Pre-Adoption Training is intended to educate, support, and prepare families who will be adopting a child through the US foster care system, international or private domestic process. Families will enhance core competencies and gain skills to effectively parent children from a variety of different backgrounds, who have experienced trauma, separation and loss. Through shared learning with others and with the facilitation of an experienced professional and parent team, we believe that families can provide the healing environment that children need.

Sunday morning gatherings of adoptive parents and their children (infant to 6 years old) for fun, family time, and connection with Barker and other families. Our goal is to offer an opportunity for play, foster connection, encourage a sense of community among younger Barker families, and provide an informal forum for families to ask questions or solicit advice from Post-Adoption staff. 

Barker's 30th Annual Adoption and Foster Care Conference and Teen Connections

Whether you are an adoptive parent, a birth parent, an adoptee, a professional in the field, or a supporter of the adoption community, this conference offers something for you!

The theme of this year's Adoption and Foster Care Conference is Tackling Adoption: A Game Plan for Success, where we will explore the vital role of nurturing bonds and connection in the context of adoption and foster care. We recognize that building strong relationships is crucial for the well-being and development of children, and we aim to provide valuable insights and strategies to enhance these connections.

Through informative sessions and discussions, we will delve into the various aspects of adoption. Learn more about our conference discussion topics by clicking here. 

Our Adoption and Foster Care Conference will feature inspiring keynote speaker, Alec Ingold, who will share his personal journey of triumph and resilience, highlighting how adoption shaped his life and career. Alec has firsthand experience in the world of adoption and foster care, and his journeys will inspire and educate attendees.

Join us as we highlight the significance of connection in adoption and foster care. Social workers and professionals will receive 5.5 CEU|CAT 1

Parenting Children with Specialized Needs

This online event, accessible at any time,  is designed to provide valuable insights and guidance for prospective adoptive parents, and professionals working in adoption and foster care. Join us to learn more about the needs of children, hear family stories and gain practical tools and strategies to assist parents and professionals in exploring openness and readiness for specialized parenting. Conclude with a guided self-assessment to help you understand where a child with specialized needs could fit into your family story. Join us from the comfort of your own home as we navigate the challenges and celebrate the joys of parenting children with specialized needs. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and connect.

Take our Parenting Children with Specialized Needs Training

Challenges of Aging Out of Foster Care

Aging out of foster care can be a daunting and challenging experience for young adults. At Barker, we recognize the unique struggles that these individuals face as they transition into adulthood without a loving and permanent family. We are committed to advocating for the needs of young adults who have aged out of foster care, and we provide support services to help them navigate this critical phase of their lives. Our goal is to ensure that these young adults have access to the resources, education, and opportunities they need to thrive and succeed.

Ever wondered what life has been like for young adults who have aged out of foster care? Hear from Marquis, Cierra and Ashley as they share their perspective. Interested in adopting an older child from adoption? Click here to learn more about foster care adoption.