The landscape of search and reunion in adoption has changed dramatically in recent years, with easier access to genetic information, genealogical records, and the ability for global online communication. Therefore, adoption professionals must be equipped with current expertise and strategies for supporting adopted individuals, birth parents, and adoptive families through the search and reunion process. In this webinar, NCFA staff moderate a panel discussion with staff from NCFA member agency Holt International. The discussion is centered on the current dynamics of search and reunion across domestic and international adoption, and provides clinical guidance to professionals as they prepare and support all of those involved in this process.

Nancy Crouch, LCPC – Domestic Program Director, Holt

Pam Shepard, LCSW – Supervisor of Clinical Services, Holt

Steve Kalb, LMSW – Director of Post Adoption Services, Holt

Webinar length: 60 minutes

After attending this recorded webinar, professionals will be able to:

• Describe the concept of search and reunion and recognize the changing dynamics of search and reunion in recent years, as they relate to domestic and intercountry adoption.
• Give examples of how the ease of connecting and communicating online has impacted search and reunion and contrast the benefits and challenges of utilizing online mediums.
• Demonstrate how adoption professionals can take a proactive approach in discussing openness and search and reunion with families.
• Give guidance and rationale on when search is helpful for those involved, and what challenges adopted individuals and their families should be aware of.
• Identify critical steps in preparing adopted individuals, adoptive families and/or birth parents for these meetings, and identify appropriate responses for ties when an individual does not want to connect.

Course level: Beginning, Intermediate

Cost to register: $15

If you are a NCFA member, look for your discount code in the membership portal.

National Council For Adoption, #1804, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. National Council For Adoption maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 04/13/2022 – 04/13/2023. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.

If you are a social worker licensed in New York, do not complete this course for contact hours. Instead, visit the NY course here. This webinar does not offer credit for NJ social workers. The state of New Jersey does not recognize ASWB ACE continuing education provider level approval.

In order to receive their continuing education credit, attendees must participate in the entirety of the recorded webinar training, have their attendance verified, complete a course evaluation and complete post-test with at least 80% correct. Upon completing these items, attendees will receive their course continuing education certificate of credit to the email address provided at registration.

Other Questions? For questions, concerns or to request special accommodations, please contact us at ncfa@adoptioncouncil.org or 703-299-6633.

Click here to register. Once registered, you'll be redirected back to this page and you can click on the webinar title below to get started.