Happy Halloween from your friends at Hopscotch Adoptions and some very cute little "Tricksters"!

Personalize a photo album

IAC 231 Results

The following referral were issued in IAC Session 231 which was held on September 18, 2012. Download the PDF here.

An opportunity to learn with SPOON: Upcoming Classes

Nourish, Nurture, Attach: The feeding relationship and adoption

Nourish, Nurture, Attach: The feeding relationship and adoption - Live Webinar   
Event Date: Thursday, November 8, 2012 | Noon - 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) 

Intended Audience: Prospective Adoptive Parents, Adoptive Parents, Child Welfare Professionals   

Fee: $15 per participant; separate registration required for each participant.

Even parents with thriving biological children get frazzled when their kids refuse to eat or limit their diet to a few select foods. This frustration is compounded for adoptive parents who have the additional pressure of getting their children nutritionally “caught up.” Unfortunately it is not uncommon for children who are entering a new family through adoption or foster care to have difficulty eating, develop rigid eating patterns, or refuse food all together (a.k.a. food aversion). On the other end of the spectrum, it is also not uncommon for post-adopted children to hoard food in the initial period home.

The goal of this presentation is to provide parents with practical, research-based information on ending the power struggles and restoring a positive feeding relationship that promotes attachment, trust, good nutrition and healthy weight.

Learn More & Register...

 

Feeding and Nutrition Considerations for Children with Special Needs: An overview

Feeding and Nutrition Considerations for Children with Special Needs: An overview - Live Webinar   

Event Date: Thursday, December 6, 2012 | Noon - 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) 

Intended Audience: Prospective Adoptive Parents, Adoptive Parents, Child Welfare Professionals   

Fee: $15 per participant; separate registration required for each participant.

When adopting a child who has been identified as having a special need, there is more to consider than just the medical or behavioral diagnosis. One of the basic, foundational issues that must be addressed immediately is the child's feeding and nutrition, which will almost certainly be more of a challange than for a child without an identified need.

The goal of this presentation is to offer parents an overview of the aspects of feeding and nutrition that are unique to children with special needs including those with Sensory Processing Disorder, low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, and cleft lip and palate.

 Learn More & Register...

HR-6027 To Provide Universal Intercountry Adoption Accreditation Standards

HR-6027 To Provide Universal Intercountry Adoption Accreditation Standards has now been introduced in the House. Sponsored by Sires (D-NJ) and co-sponsors Hahn (D-CA) Manzullo (R-IL)

Here is the corresponding House Bill for S. 3331 sponsored by Rep. Sires

Hopscotch Adoptions, Inc strongly supports this legislation and will be working to move this initiative forward.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) have introduced the “Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012” to provide universal intercountry adoption standards.

Hopscotch Adoptions is grateful for their efforts to improve the standards for all intercountry adoptions to ensure equity and protection for children and families.

Hopscotch Adoptions will provide updates on this legislation as it is available and request your supports as the process moves forward.

Sakhioba Ensemble

Sakhioba Ensemble | On Tour:  Oct-Nov 2012

Full Itinerary Here

Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, Vermont, Boston

To say that Sakhioba’s recent UK tour created a stir would be a gross understatement. Audiences across the country were thrilled by the ensemble’s dazzling display of ringing harmonies, virtuosic yodelling, and nifty footwork, interspersed with soulful laments and love songs that seemed momentarily to stop the universe in its tracks. -Caroline Bithell, University of Manchester

Dedicated to reconstructing authentic performances of traditional vocal polyphony, dance, and instrumentals from Caucasus Georgia, the Sakhioba Ensemble, which means "sweet singing", debuts their abundant talent in a sweeping tour of the US Northeast. Stay tuned for public workshops and masterclasses given by director Malkhaz Erkvanidze, one of the foremost authorities on the history, practice, and revival of Georgian Orthodox polyphonic chant.

Click here for Tour Website

Audio and Video links

First Georgian School in the Greater Washington, DC, Announced

 GEORGIAN ASSOCIATION
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INC.
a non profit 501 (c)(3) corporation, founded in 1932

Dear Friends,

The Georgian Association in the USA, in collaboration with the St. Tamar Georgian Orthodox Church congregation is pleased to announce that the first Georgian School in the greater Washington, DC area will resume classes on November 3. The purpose of the school is to preserve and pass on proud Georgian heritage, culture and history to the children of Georgian immigrant families. By attending the classes, children also will learn and improve their Georgian language skills of speaking, reading and writing.

If you are interested in enrolling your child/children in the school’s fall class, please let us know by October 27, 2011.

To meet parents’ expectations and provide the best possible learning experience, the Georgian Association, with the greatly appreciated assistance from  Mrs. Nino Meladze-Zullo will distribute a brief questionnaire for parents to fill out.  Nino has more than 11 years of experience working in early childhood education and has been running the Georgian Sunday School for the past three years. We also would be happy to provide you with more details about the school upon request.

In anticipation of a fruitful school year, we look forward hearing from you.


Sincerely,

Nino Aduashvili
Executive Director
The Georgian Association in the USA

Kybele E-News, Fall 2012

Greetings from Down Under! I had the pleasure of recently representing Kybele at the 71stNational Scientific Congress of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists' meeting held in Hobart, Tasmania September 28-October 2, 2012. The theme of the meeting, "Pushing the Boundaries", was indeed that, as friends and distinguished speakers from across the globe came to discuss improving healthcare standards in low and middle resource settings.

Prior to traveling to Hobart, I attended the 3rd "Global Burden of Surgical Disease" meeting in Melbourne. The goal of the meeting was to assemble surgeons, anesthesiologists, policy makers and others to discuss challenges facing surgery and anesthesia in developing countries.

On a global scale, few people actually receive the surgery they need, including emergency cesarean section and obstetric care, resulting in premature death and disability.  This gravely impacts the individual family, as well as society, in many parts of the world.

On a global scale, few people actually receive the surgery they need, including emergency cesarean section and obstetric care, resulting in premature death and disability.  This gravely impacts the individual family, as well as society, in many parts of the world.

Both venues offered rich opportunities for networking with other organizations and individuals passionate about improving the quality and capacity of global health. As a community, we need to learn and discuss which interventions really work! In September 2013, Kybele will have the opportunity to help shape a future interdisciplinary global health meeting as the Alliance for Surgery and Anesthesia Presence will be organized by Kybele secretary, Dr. Holly Muir, at Duke University Medical Center. 

Stay tuned.

Medge Owen, President
Kybele, Inc.

Read more...

Adoption Tax Credit News

Click here to download "Views on Adoption Tax Credit: Do you believe the government should offer an Adoption Tax Credit for families who adopt?" (PDF)

News From Ghana

Congrats and Hurry Home Hopscotch family.  Visas issued to two beautiful children today!!!  We could not be more happy for your family!!!

News From Armenia

Hopscotch loves how this organization is working towards changing the social responsibility and acceptance of children and adults with disabilities.  Armenia's first group home is a great model of success for challenged adults!  This is a beautiful mini-documentary that respectfully portrays life for a small group of adults living together in Armenia's first group home.  

Out of Sight - Out of Mind from Natalie Bryant-Rizzieri on Vimeo.

An opportunity to learn with SPOON: Upcoming Classes

Nourish, Nurture, Attach: The feeding relationship and adoption

Nourish, Nurture, Attach: The feeding relationship and adoption - Live Webinar   
Event Date: Thursday, November 8, 2012 | Noon - 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) 

Intended Audience: Prospective Adoptive Parents, Adoptive Parents, Child Welfare Professionals   

Fee: $15 per participant; separate registration required for each participant.

Even parents with thriving biological children get frazzled when their kids refuse to eat or limit their diet to a few select foods. This frustration is compounded for adoptive parents who have the additional pressure of getting their children nutritionally “caught up.” Unfortunately it is not uncommon for children who are entering a new family through adoption or foster care to have difficulty eating, develop rigid eating patterns, or refuse food all together (a.k.a. food aversion). On the other end of the spectrum, it is also not uncommon for post-adopted children to hoard food in the initial period home.

The goal of this presentation is to provide parents with practical, research-based information on ending the power struggles and restoring a positive feeding relationship that promotes attachment, trust, good nutrition and healthy weight.

Learn More & Register...

 

Feeding and Nutrition Considerations for Children with Special Needs: An overview

Feeding and Nutrition Considerations for Children with Special Needs: An overview - Live Webinar   

Event Date: Thursday, December 6, 2012 | Noon - 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) 

Intended Audience: Prospective Adoptive Parents, Adoptive Parents, Child Welfare Professionals   

Fee: $15 per participant; separate registration required for each participant.

When adopting a child who has been identified as having a special need, there is more to consider than just the medical or behavioral diagnosis. One of the basic, foundational issues that must be addressed immediately is the child's feeding and nutrition, which will almost certainly be more of a challange than for a child without an identified need.

The goal of this presentation is to offer parents an overview of the aspects of feeding and nutrition that are unique to children with special needs including those with Sensory Processing Disorder, low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, and cleft lip and palate.

 Learn More & Register...

Ensemble Basiani - 2012 US Tour

Lovers of Georgian polyphonic song, get ready!

Ensemble Basiani is coming to the US!

For any of you who haven't heard them, Basiani is one of Georgia's finest men's ensembles.

Learn more about them here: http://www.basiani.ge/en

And be sure to come to a come to a concert if you can!



Gainesville, FL
Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 2:00pm
University Auditorium
University of Florida Performing Arts
http://performingarts.ufl.edu/events/2012/ensemble-basiani/

Hanover, NH
Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 7:00pm
Hopkins Center for the Arts, Spaulding Auditorium
Dartmouth College
http://hop.dartmouth.edu/performances/ensemble-basiani-of-georgia

Berkeley, CA
Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 8:00pm
First Congregational Church
Cal Performances, University of California
http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/performances/2012-13/world-stage/georgias-ensemble-basiani.php

Santa Barbara, CA
Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 4:00pm and 7:00pm
First United Methodist Church
UCSB Arts & Lectures
https://artsandlectures.sa.ucsb.edu/Details.aspx?PerfNum=2420

New York, NY
Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 7:30pm
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 145 W. 46th St.
Lincoln Center, White Light Festival
http://www.whitelightfestival.org/ensemble-basiani

News From Armenia

On July 10, 2012 the US Ambassador to Armenia, and his wife, participated in a flash mob, sponsored by the US Embassy to celebrate our diplomatic relations. While flash mobs are growing more common, you would never expect to see an Ambassador participating. This is great!! So much fun!!

FASD: Risk, Development and Intervention Webinar

News From Armenia

Hopscotch LOVES Armenia!  Three Hopscotch families just returned home with their new children and THREE more will be traveling to Armenia to register with their future children!!

Register to Participate in Tonight's Advocating to Save the Adoption Tax Credit Webinar

Attached please find details about tonight’s Webinar: Advocating to Save the Adoption Tax Credit on Thursday, October 4, from 8:00pm – 9:30pm EST.

To register, please view the attached announcement for more information, and register to participate at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/279558502. 

Please spread the word to your networks and encourage families to participate.


With warm regards,
The Executive Committee

The Adoption Tax Credit Working Group’s Executive Committee:
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Adopt America Network, Christian Alliance for Orphans, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (Secretariat), Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, Joint Council on International Children’s Services, National Council For Adoption, North American Council on Adoptable Children

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, ShowHope, and Voice for Adoption.

Food Obsession

A common question we receive from parents is what to do about newly adopted children who are obsessed with food. Some kids are extremely stressed around food and may even eat to the point of vomiting. See our "Ask the Expert" section on AN.org for a recent response to this issue.

Read More: http://adoptionnutrition.org/faq/#food_control

Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Your Adoption FREE Webinar...

Resources4Adoption presents a FREE webinar with special guest Julie Gumm, author of "Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Your Adoption."

We will discuss her book and the things she's learned - what works, and what doesn't - and creative approaches to funding your adoption.

Live Q and A will follow the discussion so be sure to register and have your questions answered by Julie and Resources4Adoption founder Cherri Walrod!

Learn More & Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3288695698991209728


Thank you,

Loryn Woodworth ~Administrative and Research Assistant,
Office and Social Media Manger
loryn@resources4adoption.com
www.resources4adoption.com

PHONE:  785-550-8907
Toll Free Fax Number 1-888-309-4836

Adoption Nutrition

A little over a year ago something really important happened. We walked into a place that would change our lives forever. We met two sweet angels. This is the first time we met Francesca. Francesca was exactly what I expected. A friend of mine had met her when she adopted her little one, so I knew a lot about her.

And little Victoria, who never, ever smiled. The orphanage director described her as having no spirit. When I first saw her, I was stunned. She was totally shut down and showed no emotions. We had to decide within a day if we wanted to adopt her. We could choose to leave her. In my mind, there was a huge risk involved.

Victoria’s eyes haunted me. When we left the orphanage that day, I couldn’t get her eyes out of my mind. We made the decision that we couldn’t leave her. No matter what her abilities would be, she deserved more.

Read more...

Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Your Adoption FREE Webinar...

Resources4Adoption presents a FREE webinar with special guest Julie Gumm, author of "Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Your Adoption."

We will discuss her book and the things she's learned - what works, and what doesn't - and creative approaches to funding your adoption.

Live Q and A will follow the discussion so be sure to register and have your questions answered by Julie and Resources4Adoption founder Cherri Walrod!

To Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3288695698991209728

Thank you,

Loryn Woodworth ~Administrative and Research Assistant,
Office and Social Media Manger
loryn@resources4adoption.com
www.resources4adoption.com

PHONE:  785-550-8907
Toll Free Fax Number 1-888-309-4836

Please Note:  The information contained in this communication is confidential and is intended only for the use of the recipient.  Please do not share any part of this email with the media or other third party without the permission of Resouces4adoption.com.  If you have received this communication in error, please return this communication to the sender and delete it from your computer system. Thank You!      

Resources4adoption.com is a subsidiary of Agenda Enterprises and Consulting, LLC., PO BOX 519, EUDORA, KS 66025

Emergency Request from Sisters of Charity (SOC)-Bethlehem

Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) 1060 First Avenue, Suite 400, King of Prussia, PA 19406 USA  Phone: 610.213.3452   Fax: 610.229.5168 Email: gyacoubian@soar-us.org   Web: www.soar-us.org Emergency Request from Sisters of Charity (SOC)-Bethlehem The Sisters of Charity (SOC) is a Catholic religious order established by Mother Teresa to tend to "the poorest of the poor." SOC-Bethlehem is a private orphanage in Yerevan that houses approximately 15 children with severe physical and mental disabilities. Late last week, SOAR received an emergency request from SOC-Bethlehem for medical equipment. Until now, SOAR has never received an unsolicited request from SOC. Specifically, SOC has requested two (2) Rover Strollers and three (3) Floor Sitters. The Strollers are built for both indoor and outdoor transport, while the Floor Sitters keep the children in upright positions for floor activities. The total cost, including shipping to Yerevan, is $6,500.00. If you would like to contribute to our collection for Sisters of Charity, please call 610.213.3452. SOC-Bethlehem and SOAR thank you in advance for your generosity! The Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian relief to orphaned Armenian children.  Working with a loyal donor base and a trusted network of partners, SOAR distributes clothing, educational supplies, medicine, and other essential resources to orphaned Armenian children throughout the world.

An opportunity to learn with SPOON: Upcoming Classes

Feeding the First Year Home

Feeding the First Year Home: How to transition adopted children to the next stages of feeding while transitioning them to the diet of a new culture - Live Webinar   

Event Date: Thursday, October 4, 2012 | Noon - 1:00 p.m. (Central Time)   

Intended Audience: Prospective Adoptive Parents, Adoptive Parents, Child Welfare Professionals   

Fee: $15 per participant; separate registration required for each participant.

Feeding children healthy snacks and meals on a daily basis is a challenge for any parent, but transitioning an undernourished child from their traditional diet to yours can seem like a huge undertaking. Parents often feel pressured to get their child nourished ASAP, and attempting to do so only adds stress to an already delicate situation. There are no hard and fast rules to do this right. Feeding guidelines and expert advice on child nutrition is largely based on research and experience with families who have biological children that share a similar culture. You may get lots of advice from well-meaning family, friends, and even health care professionals, but understand there’s little to no research to validate this advice. If possible, develop a relationship with an international adoption health care expert, a sympathetic pediatrician, or a registered dietitian specializing in child nutrition to assist you and your child through this difficult time.

The goal of this presentation is to help parents understand what feeding and nutrition challenges they may experience when their child first enters their home and ways they may be able to address the challenges. Participants will become knowledgeable about:

• transitioning stages (formula, complementary foods, solids) and how they might be different for adopted children
• tips for transitioning to culturally new foods
• implications of post-adoption growth spurt

Learn More & Register...

 

Nourish, Nurture, Attach: The feeding relationship and adoption

Nourish, Nurture, Attach: The feeding relationship and adoption - Live Webinar   
Event Date: Thursday, November 8, 2012 | Noon - 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) 

Intended Audience: Prospective Adoptive Parents, Adoptive Parents, Child Welfare Professionals   

Fee: $15 per participant; separate registration required for each participant.

Even parents with thriving biological children get frazzled when their kids refuse to eat or limit their diet to a few select foods. This frustration is compounded for adoptive parents who have the additional pressure of getting their children nutritionally “caught up.” Unfortunately it is not uncommon for children who are entering a new family through adoption or foster care to have difficulty eating, develop rigid eating patterns, or refuse food all together (a.k.a. food aversion). On the other end of the spectrum, it is also not uncommon for post-adopted children to hoard food in the initial period home.

The goal of this presentation is to provide parents with practical, research-based information on ending the power struggles and restoring a positive feeding relationship that promotes attachment, trust, good nutrition and healthy weight.

Learn More & Register...

 

Feeding and Nutrition Considerations for Children with Special Needs: An overview

Feeding and Nutrition Considerations for Children with Special Needs: An overview - Live Webinar   

Event Date: Thursday, December 6, 2012 | Noon - 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) 

Intended Audience: Prospective Adoptive Parents, Adoptive Parents, Child Welfare Professionals   

Fee: $15 per participant; separate registration required for each participant.

When adopting a child who has been identified as having a special need, there is more to consider than just the medical or behavioral diagnosis. One of the basic, foundational issues that must be addressed immediately is the child's feeding and nutrition, which will almost certainly be more of a challange than for a child without an identified need.

The goal of this presentation is to offer parents an overview of the aspects of feeding and nutrition that are unique to children with special needs including those with Sensory Processing Disorder, low muscle tone, cerebral palsy, and cleft lip and palate.

 Learn More & Register...