Adoption Education

An important part of Adoption Preparation is the education 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. The Adoption Specialist will assist prospective parents in creating a personalized plan for education based on their needs. All plans will include 3 required courses: The Adopted Child, Preparation and Adjustment, and Parenting the Adopted Child. 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 in Adoption Preparation fees; however, certain electives do carry an additional cost.

Further information can be found in your Adoption Preparation Guide.

Upcoming Classes

If you have enrolled in a class and find that you will not be able to attend,
please e-mail us to let us know.

DateTimeClassLocation 
03/24/20106-8pmPreparation & Adjustment MLJ Adoptions
8910 Purdue Rd, 1 College Park Ste 480
Indianapolis, IN  46268
map 		Enroll
04/21/20106-8pmParenting an Adopted Child MLJ Adoptions
8910 Purdue Rd, 1 College Park Ste 480
Indianapolis, IN  46268
map 		Enroll
05/19/20106-8pmThe Adopted Child MLJ Adoptions
8910 Purdue Rd, 1 College Park Ste 480
Indianapolis, IN  46268
map 		Enroll

Educational Electives

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

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

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.