September 28, 2022
Learn from Becker County social workers about how they search for the best match for youth in their care.  We will talk about how they review home studies, what happens at collateral meetings, how they prepare to tell a youth about a potential family, along with advice for families who are in the matching process.

Together, our guests have 14-years of experience working at Becker County Human Services.

Resources

People:
Barb Clark, JaeRan Kim
Angela Tucker (adult adoptee: many trainings, podcasts, documentary, etc.)
Megan Montgomery-The Baggage we carry: creating an awareness of how our past impacts our parenting and making it work
A.J. Zehner: Preparing Children already in home for new foster/adoptive siblings

Books:
Wounded Children, Healing Homes

Additional things waiting families can do:
Learn the court process

(30:32)

September 14, 2022
“I’m licensed and there are hundreds of children in Minnesota who need adoptive families immediately.  Why is this taking so long!”  Many adoptive families find themselves asking this question after becoming licensed.  The first of this five-part series will provide adoptive families firsthand experience of what can be expected after the much-anticipated official licensing date.  Listen to our conversation with an adoptive parent to hear how this can be the hardest and most confusing part of the adoption process and for tips to get through the wait.  The series will continue down the road of the adoption process from matching to finalization and beyond!  Let’s start with While You’re Waiting….

Today we are joined by Amy Arntson, an adoptive parent who was selected by Voice for Adoption’s Family Portrait Project to represent Minnesota at the adoption awareness event in D.C.  Their story captured the attention of Adopt US Kids who filmed a short video about their experience.   Amy and her husband are often lovingly referred to as parents of the year by their three children.

https://blog.adoptuskids.org/firsts-with-the-arnston-family/

(19:09)

Aug 31, 2022
We’re back with Brenda Benning discussing topics we’ll cover in our September 13th webinar: Defiance & Disrespect: Battles with Homework and Chores. Listeners, be sure to register for the webinar on our website: mnadopt.org.

Brenda Benning works with families individually in home and group settings, both in person and virtually. Her primary focus is adoptive families with children healing from trauma histories and attachment issues. Brenda not only has extensive professional experience, but has real-life experience as an adoptive parent and family.

(18:12)

Aug 17, 2022
With school days just around the corner, families would like more than just a back-to-school supply list to help them prepare. For the first of our two-part series, we will discuss how to get ready for the school days transition.

In our follow-up podcast with Brenda Benning, we will discuss topics that Brenda will cover during her webinar titled, Defiance & Disrespect: Battles with Homework and Chores. Listeners can get a preview of Brenda’s Sept. 13th webinar to help better prepare for the start of the school season.

Brenda Benning works with families individually in home and group settings, both in person and virtually. Her primary focus is adoptive families with children healing from trauma histories and attachment issues.  Brenda not only has extensive professional experience, but has real-life experience as an adoptive parent and family.

(19:59)

Aug 3, 2022
Join us to learn more about the law for relatives or kin who are a permanency resource for a child in foster care.

Professor Natalie Netzel is an assistant professor at Michell Hamline School of Law where she serves as co-director of Clinics and Advocacy and Education Director for the Institute to Transform Child Protection.
(20:27)

July 20, 2022
Join our Q&A to hear what adoptive families are asking, resources available for potential adoptive parents and those inquiring about waiting children.
(14:26)

July 6, 2022
What is Autism?  How is it diagnosed?  Why is it so prevalent?  These questions will be addressed by an expert on the topic.

Dr. Reeve is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and has worked for HealthPartners for over 30 years. She has held a variety of positions in research, teaching, and administration in the past but is currently primarily involved in patient care.  Dr. Reeve has a special interest in children and adolescents with developmental disabilities.  She is the co-author of the “Survival Guide for Children on the Autism Spectrum.”
(21:52)

June 22, 2022
Join us for the very complex and difficult topic of disruption and dissolution of pre-adoption or adoptive families. We’ll look at the grief, trauma, and how to hold compassion for all members of the family.

Amber Morrighan, MA, LMFT, has been working with children who have been adopted or are in the foster care setting, their families, and caregivers for 20 years. She is deeply committed to assist children and their caregivers in healing the impacts of trauma at any age.
(21:52)

June 8, 2022
Join ZKW Recruitment Coordinator, Kim Sacay, to learn more about the many Minnesota children waiting for safe, loving, and permanent families. Kim will fill us in about the need, the path to more information, and the many ways that you can help!
(10:30)

May 25, 2022
Nefertiti Austin, author of the bestseller Motherhood So White joins us today to discuss the complications and nuances of providing kinship care and caring for children of color in white spaces.

Author and memoirist, Nefertiti Austin writes about the erasure of diverse voices in motherhood in the critically acclaimed Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America. Nefertiti is the proud adoptive mother of two children and lives in Los Angeles, CA.(24:14)

May 11, 2022
Join us as Brandon Jensen helps foster parents navigate the impact of foster care on their relationships.
(21:25)

April 27, 2022
Children and youth coming into out of home care often have deep experiences of trauma which can lead to or exacerbate underlying mental health concerns.  Join us to learn more about how to identify and address mental health concerns in children you care for.

Heather Siek, Psy.D. LPCC is a licensed outpatient therapist. She primarily works with children, adolescents, and families. Her specialty is working with childhood trauma, anxiety, and children with behavioral difficulties. Heather is also an adoptive mom.

(17:28)

April 13, 2022
When caring for children in foster care, it is important that foster parents understand trauma.  Join us as Kirsten Langerman helps us unpack the basics of trauma in foster care.
(17:06)

March 30, 2022
In this podcast, featuring Karen J. Foli, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, an expert on parental postadoption depression (PAD), the discussion will include a description of PAD symptoms, and the research conducted by Dr. Foli. Findings reveal that parental expectations are associated with depressive symptoms in adoptive parents. Suggestions on how to reframe expectations of themselves as parents, of the child, of family and friends, and of society will be explored.
(20:40)

March 16, 2022
Grief is part of the foster care journey. Dr. Kathryn Markell and Dr. Marc Markell will help us explore how grief impacts foster children, foster parents, and families of origin including how to support the children and families experiencing grief.

Kathryn Markell has a Ph.D. in Psychology from Loyola University-Chicago.  She presently teaching in the psychology department of Anoka-Ramsey Community College, where she teaches Death and Dying and Child and Adolescent Development classes, in addition to many other courses.  She is the co-author of the book: The Children Who Lived: Using Harry Potter and Other Fictional Characters to Help Grieving Children and Adolescents.

Marc Markell teaches at St. Cloud State University in the Department of Special Education. He also teaches at Worsham College of Mortuary Science. In addition, Marc teaches an online class for a university in Korea. He is a certified Thanatologist through the Association of Death Educators and counseling and certified in Death and Grief Studies from Colorado State University through the Center for Loss and Life Transition. Marc has published three books on grief, book chapters, and numerous articles.
(32:43)

March 2, 2022
Join us as Brandon Jensen talks about the complicated relationships in the foster care community.
(24:00)

Feb 16, 2022
Learn what happens when a child is removed from their home, how it impacts children, and how we as foster parents can help them navigate these moves more effectively.

Wendy Wolff, MS, is an expert on family visiting and maintaining healthy birth family connections. She has consulted with county and private agencies about the complex relationships between primary families and resource families and has developed training for resource parents and social workers on best practices and strategies to overcome challenges in these relationships. She and her husband have three adopted children and 2 dogs.
(25:20)

Feb 2, 2022
This podcast will inform and inspire our thought processes regarding the unique impact of LGBTQ+ identity on many aspects of development and relationships in foster and adoptive families.

Brianna Sigg is a licensed social worker and therapist, dedicated to building awareness around the unique impact of identity and gender for those living their truth in marginalized identities. She works with children, adolescents, and adults, particularly with those who identify within the LGBTQ+ community.
(25:20)

Feb 2, 2022
This podcast will inform and inspire our thought processes regarding the unique impact of LGBTQ+ identity on many aspects of development and relationships in foster and adoptive families.

Brianna Sigg is a licensed social worker and therapist, dedicated to building awareness around the unique impact of identity and gender for those living their truth in marginalized identities. She works with children, adolescents, and adults, particularly with those who identify within the LGBTQ+ community.
(25:20)

Jan 19, 2022
Joins us as we talk with Kirsten Langerman, LICSW about the court process involved in foster care in MN.
(13:36)

Jan 5, 2022
Lola Adebara will explain how Partnerships for Permanence is dedicated to bringing formerly fostered young adults together to raise awareness and work to improve the child welfare system.
(16:23)