Adoption Preparation Education

An important part of Adoption Preparation is the education, training, and counseling that prepares you to parent an adopted child. In accordance with Hague guidelines, we require at least 10 educational hours as a part of this preparation. Our staff will assist prospective parents in creating a personalized plan for education based on their needs. All plans will include 3 required courses: Children Without Families, Preparation & Adjustment, and Parenting & Adoption. Once your initial home study interview is completed, you will be able to register for classes and electives. It is important to remember that you must register for any courses which you intend to attend at least one week prior to the course date. (classes are subject to cancellation if attendance is too low).

International adoptions also require completion of a personal exploration of the country from which you are adopting. Required courses, class handouts, and review of materials submitted to complete electives are included as a part of all of our programs; however, certain electives do carry an additional cost.

If you are not a current MLJ Adoptions, Inc. client, but would like to take part in our Adoption Preparation Education program, please contact Nicole for more information. 

Further information can be found in your Adoption Preparation Guide and/or the Client Care Database.

Educational Electives

Choose as many electives as interest you to meet or exceed your educational requirements.

Transracial Parenting - How can you prepare for your child’s burgeoning identity and help them in the process, especially when you don’t “match” with your child? This class will cover ideas and strategies and provide a list of resources for doing a good job as a transracial parent. Taught by Judy Miller. $50 per family (2hr) Highly recommended for those adopting from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It's a Jungle Out There! Taming Lions, Catching Monkeys, and Surviving Stress like a Zebra – online introduction to stress management course available at www.Brooke-Randolph.com certificate required (2hr) $95

Tweens, Teens, and Beyond: Parenting Your Adopted Child -Navigating through the crucial ages of tweens and teens can be challenging for any parent, but adoptive parents face unique challenges that only other adoptive parents are likely to understand. This interactive six week email course taught by Judy Miller fits into your busy schedule. Register through http://judymmiller.com/classes Class limit is six. (2hr) $99

Marital Enrichment - Using the Prepare/Enrich program, you and your partner will complete a survey and meet with Brooke Randolph, LMHC, to strengthen your relationship as a couple and a parental team. Please email for cost estimate. (2hr)

Personal, Effective Communication – Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, you will explore your personal communication style and learn how this will effect communicating as a parental team, communicating with your child, and/or with your child's biological family. Email for more information. (2hr) $100 per family (cost includes MBTI inventory).

Hosting Program – hosting a child in your home through MLJ Adoptions, Inc. or the Fatherless Foundation, completing all required meetings etc. (1hr)

Blog Submission - write a 200-700 word essay , appropriate for posting on the MLJ Adoptions, Inc. blog and submit via email in Notepad format (1hr)
 
Independent study – choose an appropriate (non-fiction) adoption book and turn in a written book report, at least three pages in length, on what you have learned and how you will apply this to your family (2hr)

Language class – any language class completed within the last year, preferably studying the language of your child's culture, will be worth 2 educational hours. Transcripts, report cards, or certificate of completion accepted (2hr)

Q&A Panel of Birth Mothers for those pursuing domestic adoption (2hr) $50 per family. Register your interest for this class. The class will be scheduled once enough people have expressed interest, and you will be contacted.

Q&A Panel of Parents who have experienced the adoption process (1hr) $30 per family. Register your interest for this class. The class will be scheduled once enough people have expressed interest, and you will be contacted.