2013 NACAC Conference

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Past NACAC attendees praise the conference:

“This was my first NACAC conference. I was inspired, motivated and encouraged to do more for children in the system. The information adds value to my personal and professional life!”

“I am more informed and empowered to be the best I can be for my son.”

"Every year I walk away reenergized with new tools for my parenting toolbox."

“I have learned so much and enjoyed all the classes and events. In 23 years as a foster parent, adoptive parent, and 2,000+ hours of training, this was the BEST EVER.”

"This has been a phenomenal training. All professionals, parents and youth can benefit from learning and educating others with their expertise and experiences."

"I felt like a kid in a candy store because I learned so much. I gained more knowledge this week than the 7 years fostering."

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Download a NACAC conference flyer that you can share with others!

Would You Benefit from Attending?

If you have been touched by adoption, you will benefit from attending this conference! The conference has sessions designed to inspire, inform, and encourage all members of the adoption community, including adoptive parents raising children with special needs, professionals seeking families for older children, mental health or other professionals supporting adoptive and foster families, international adoptive parents, adopted persons, and others with personal or professional connections to adoption.

This educational event covers almost every adoption-related topic imaginable—with more than 80 sessions designed to meet the diverse needs and levels of experience of parents, professionals, and adopted persons. Sessions are assigned to topic-specific tracks, including:

• First Nations/Aboriginal Issues
• Advanced Issues in Adoption/Therapy
• Parenting Children with Special Needs
• Preparing for Adoption
• Recruitment and Pre-Adoption Issues 
• Permanency for Older Children and Youth
• Birth Family Connections, Search, and Openness
• International Adoption

Location and Accommodations

Hailed as the entertainment and cultural capital of Canada, Toronto regularly hosts art and cultural festivals and is home to a number of museums and theatres. The city offers breathtaking views of its gorgeous architecture and parks, and is home to numerous centrally located shops and restaurants.

The conference will be held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel (123 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario). Discounted guest rooms are available from August 6 to August 11, at $150 Cdn. per night plus 13 percent tax.

To reserve a room, visit https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/NAC313 or call 800-325-3535. Availability extends until all rooms fill or until July 12, whichever is first, so please make reservations early. Tell the hotel operator you are attending the North American Council on Adoptable Children conference, and ask about the hotel’s guarantee, deposit, and cancellation policies. 

Please note that U.S. attendees will need a passport to travel to Canada. Getting a passport can take quite a while, so apply for yours today!

Keynote Speakers

Thursday’s keynote session—“Brain-Based Parenting: A Message of Hope”—will feature Daniel Hughes, Ph.D. and Jonathan Baylin, Ph.D. presenting a hopeful and informative session on how new ways of thinking can promote healing and help strengthen attachment between parents and children.

On Friday, a panel of youth who were adopted from or aged out of foster care will share their personal experiences. “Permanency for Children and Youth of All Ages” will emphasize the importance of a permanent family for everyone.

Saturday’s closing session will feature an inspirational presentation by Kim Stevens, titled “Thinking Differently: New Hope for Our Children.” The presentation will be followed by the awards ceremony.

Workshops & Institutes

Each year, we incorporate new and exciting sessions into the comprehensive NACAC conference. This educational event covers almost every adoption-related topic imaginable—with more than 80 sessions about post-adoption services, therapeutic techniques, preparing for adoption (for prospective adopters), native/aboriginal issues, parenting children with challenges, recruitment and pre-adoption issues, international/infant adoption, public policy, and more. Many sessions are advanced, so even experienced parents and workers will benefit from them.

Tentative sessions for 2013 include:

• Preserving Aboriginal Culture through Customary Adoption
• The Complexities of Dual Diagnosis: When FASD Meets RAD
• Bounce Back & Thrive: Promoting Resilient Thinking
• Changing the Lens on (Dis)Ability
• Courageous Conversations about Race and Adoption
• Breaking Down Barriers: Dispelling the Myths of “Adoptability”
• Preparing Families for the Roller Coaster Ride of International Adoption

The conference features acclaimed speakers including Marvin Bernstein, Arthur Becker-Weidman, Maris Blechner, Susan Crawford, Wayne Duehn, Denise Goodman, Regina Kupecky, Pat O’Brien, and John Raible.            

Click here to view sessions that were offered at the 2012 conference. The complete list of 2013 sessions will be posted in March.

Pre-Conference Sessions

On August 7, we will offer two all-day pre-conference training sessions:

• In “Creating a Love to Last a Lifetime: Understanding the Neuroscience of Attachment,” Dr. Hughes and Dr. Baylin will cover attachment issues in adoption, the neurobiology of attachment, and attachment-focused family therapy, and will provide practical tools and interventions.

Dr. Hughes, an attachment expert, specializes in the treatment of children and youth with severe emotional and behavioral issues. Dr. Baylin is a clinical psychologist and expert on the neurobiology of attachment. They recently co-authored the book Brain-Based Parenting: The Neuroscience of Caregiving for Healthy Attachment.

• In the second session, “Permanency Matters: Tools to Find Families for Older Children and Youth,” Sue Badeau, Denise Goodman, and Pat O’Brien will discuss the importance of youth permanency and present numerous strategies for finding forever families for older children and youth.

Pre-conference registration is:

• Pre-conference only -- $100 U.S./Cdn.
• With full conference registration -- $80 U.S./Cdn.

Advertising & Exhibiting

Individuals and organizations can choose to advertise in the conference registration booklet or final program and to exhibit items on site. The deadlie for registration booklet advertising is February 22. The deadline for exhibiting is June 7. Download information about registration booklet advertising and exhibiting (final program information will be available in the spring).

Conference for Youth

On Thursday, a one-day conference (sponsored by Jockey Being FamilyTM) will be offered for youth, ages 16–25, who have been adopted from or aged out of foster care. The conference will feature workshops and educational activities for youth interested in learning more about adoption and permanency and how to become advocates for youth who need families. For more information, please e-mail Kim Stevens at kimstevens@nacac.org. The registration fee will be $50 U.S./Cdn.

Academic Accreditation

NACAC has arranged for general continuing education units (CEUs) from Augsburg College in Minnesota. The full conference will be about 16.5 contact hours or 1.65 CEUs, and you can apply for credit with your registration or after the conference. Daily CEU certification and pre-conference session CEUs will also be available. Please verify applicability of these CEUs with your professional board. The fee for CEUs is $30.

Children's Program

NACAC offers a program for children ages 6 to 17 with workshops and field trips. Space is limited, so register as soon as forms are available this spring.    

Registration & Fees

Full registration fees include workshops, institutes, general sessions, Saturday’s luncheon, and membership for non-members. Parent couples can register together at a discount. One-day fees will be offered. The pre-conference session has a separate fee (see left), but those who attend both the conference and the pre-conference session receive a discount. Register by July 6 to receive discounted fees.

Full conference registration is:

• NACAC members -- $270 U.S./Cdn.
• Non-members -- $320 U.S./Cdn.

After July 6, fees increase by $55.

In March, NACAC will publish a booklet about registration, workshops, the conference for youth, the children’s program, and more. To request one, send your name, address, and whether you want the booklet by mail or e-mail to info@nacac.org. Materials will also be posted on this page. Sign up to receive regular e-mail updates from NACAC at www.nacac.org/signupform.html.

Full-time students are eligible for a discount of 50 percent off all registration fees. Copies of a current student ID and transcript are required.