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If you are in Indiana and have any interest in adoption whatsoever, whether as an adoptive parent, prospective adoptive parent, adoptee, adoption professional, social worker, or adoption advocate then you really should plan on attending the Crossroads of America Adoption Conference (CAAC) on September 30th and October 1st. If you are an MLJ client or interested in becoming an MLJ client, regardless of where you live, you should attend this conference. I realize these are pretty strong statements. As a therapist, I usually shy away from any use of the word "should", but I am using it here purposefully. Here are seven reasons you should register today.

 

1. Low cost - high benefit. For a one day, one subject training I paid nearly five times what it will cost to attend one day of the CAAC, where you will have the opportunity to hear from seven different professionals on seven different subjects. Did we mention that breakfast and lunch are included? 

 

2. Something for everyone. I have gone to adoption conferences in the past where everything was at an introductory level, even the courses that seemed directed towards professionals. We have made a conscious effort to include sessions that will benefit adoption professionals, those parenting an adopted child, those considering adoption, church leaders, and other adoption advocates. Each of our directors are looking forward to attending the breakout sessions. We are also planning activities for the kids. Whether your interest is international adoption, domestic adoption, or foster care adoption, we believe that you can find something of value from attending the conference. While we do have representatives sharing from the perspective of adults that have been adopted, birth parents, and birth grandparents, we hope to have more speaker proposals for sessions designed for those populations for the next Crossroads of America Adoption Conference.

 

3. Ongoing Support and Education Essential to Adoptive Families. As I said in that article, the focus is on family success not just family formation, and the important question is are you willing to seek out any and all resources that may benefit your child?

 

4. Building your adoption community. Your kids need to see and know kids like them - kids that look like them and kids that have a similar life experience. Most of their peers at school cannot relate to how adoption affects them each and every day. You need to connect with and relate to other parents and professionals that truly understand how adoption affects your family. Group adoption events allow you to realize that you are not alone, even when it feels like it sometimes. It also allows you an opportunity to hold on to hope when you meet other families who have experienced and survived what you may be experiencing. 

 

5. Experts and big names. A Biggest Loser winner, five book authors, three non-profit directors, foreign dignitaries, attorneys, pastors, social workers, doctors, a dentist, an occupational therapist, officers of the court, and more.

 

6. Meet MLJ foreign staff. There are not a lot of opportunities to meet the people representing your family overseas, but the main staff from each of our programs will be available at the Crossroads of America Adoption Conferences to meet you and answer some questions. 

 

7. Meet MLJ staff. Pictures, emails, phone calls, and blogs can give you a good sense of who we are, but nothing can replace an introduction and a handshake. 

 

I hope to see all of our past and present clients at the Crossroads of America Adoption Conference. I hope to meet many others who are working in or interested in adoption. I plan on learning a few things, and I am sure you will as well. Register now! You really should.