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 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.”

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Download the registration booklet
(please note the PDF is 11 MB)

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

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.

Keynote Speakers

Thursday, August 8 — Dr. Daniel Hughes and Dr. Jonathan Baylin, “Brain-Based Parenting: A Message of Hope”

Friday, August 9 — Youth Panel, “Permanency for Children and Youth of All Ages”

Saturday, August 10 — Awards Luncheon and Closing Session by Kim Stevens, “Thinking Differently: New Hope for Our Children”

Learn more about the keynote sessions and speakers

Pre-Conference Sessions

On August 7, NACAC will offer two all-day pre-conference training sessionss:

• “Creating a Love to Last a Lifetime: Understanding the Neuroscience of Attachment,” by Dr. Hughes and Dr. Baylin
• “Permanency Matters: Tools to Find Families for Older Children and Youth,” by Sue Badeau, Denise Goodman, and Pat O’Brien

Learn more about the pre-conference sessions and speakers

Both pre-conference sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sheraton. Fees of $100 per person are separate from regular conference registration. Lunch is on your own. You can register for a pre-conference session even if you do not attend the rest of the conference. Space is limited, so register early. Registrants who pay to attend both a pre-conference session and the full conference receive a $20 discount.

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. 

Travel Information

Passports

Adults and children traveling from the U.S. to Canada need a valid passport. Passport processing can take months, so apply now if you need a new or updated document. Visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html to learn more.

Flights

NACAC has designated Air Canada as its official airline partner for the 2013 conference. Arrangements have been made for discounted air travel to Toronto through Air Canada, Porter Airlines, and United Airlines:

• Air Canada can be used for flights into either Toronto International Airport (YYZ) or Toronto Island Airport (YTZ). To access the discount, go to www.air canada.com and use the promo code FXJRXVQ1.
• Porter Airlines serves Toronto Island Airport (YTZ), which is very convenient to downtown. Go to www.flyporter.com and use the promo code NACAC to receive up to a 15 percent discount.
• United Airlines can be used for flights into Toronto International Airport (YYZ) or Toronto Island Airport (YTZ). Use offer code ZPX3278004 at www.united.com to receive a discount.

Ground Transportation

Airport Express (www.torontoairportexpress.com/index.php) offers shuttle service to and from Toronto International Airport. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes, from 6:00 a.m. to midnight from the airport to the hotel, and 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from the hotel to the airport. Roundtrip fare is $38.

Cabfare from Toronto International Airport is $50 to $60. Cabfare from Toronto Island Airport is $15 to $20.

Additional information will be sent with your registration confirmation.

Parking

The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel has valet parking available at $22.50 per day (this discounted rate is for hotel guests only), with unlimited in-and-out privileges.

Affordable off-site parking options are available within close proximity to the hotel. Please visit http://parking.greenp.com/find-parking/?a=123+Queen+St.+West for locations and parking rates.

 

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

Workshops

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.

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 the 2013 conference sessions.

Advertising & Exhibiting

Individuals and organizations can choose to advertise in the conference final program and to exhibit items on site. The deadline for final program advertising is June 30. The deadline for exhibiting is June 7. The deadline for final program advertising is July 5.

Tabletop exhibits are available near registration and many workshops. Space will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early.

Exhibit Fees

First Table (6 feet long) —

• Parent group, adoption exchange — $140
• Private/public agency, commercial vendor — $350

Extra tables — $105 each

Download information about exhibiting and final program advertising.

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. Space is limited, so register as soon as possible.

Click here to learn more

Academic Accreditation

NACAC has arranged for general continuing education units (CEUs) from Augsburg College in Minnesota. The full conference will be 16.5 contact hours or 1.65 CEUs, and you can apply for credit at 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.  

Click here to learn more.  

"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."

Registration & Fees

Full registration fees cover workshops, general sessions, and Saturday’s awards luncheon. For those who register as non-members, a one-year individual NACAC membership is also included.

Registrants who pay to attend one of Wednesday’s pre-conference sessions and the full conference receive a $20 discount on the pre-conference session registration (NACAC Jockey scholarship recipients, conference presenters, and NACAC representatives for whom NACAC waives registration fees are not eligible for the discount.)

Registrants can also elect to attend a single day or two. For those who cannot pre-register, on-site registration will be available.

Current NACAC members receive discounted registration fees: one for individual and parent group members, up to 20 for enhanced parent group and organizational members, and unlimited for employees of national/corporate members. Registrants can also apply for membership with the registration and use the discounted rate (learn more about membership).

Conference Fees

Conference registration fees—payable by check, money order, purchase order, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover—are due with each registration.

Full conference registration is:

Individuals:

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

Parent Couples:

• NACAC members -- $370 U.S./Cdn.
• Non-members -- $420 U.S./Cdn.

After July 5, full conference fees increase by $55. See the registration form for a complete list of fees.

Student Discount

Full-time college and graduate students are eligible for a discount of 50 percent off conference registration fees. Copies of a current student ID and transcript are required. (Discounts do not apply to membership or the conference for youth.)

Cancellation Fees

NACAC will refund registration fees (less a service fee of $50) only if we receive written cancellation by July 5.

Handouts

Three weeks prior to the conference, NACAC will post on this web site any handouts received in advance from presenters for attendees to download and print. Some presenters may also bring paper copies of handouts. NACAC will not provide paper handouts.

Special Meetings

On Thursday and Friday evenings, special interest groups can hold meetings open to all conference attendees or for a specified group. All meetings will be held at the Sheraton.

If you would like to sponsor an evening meeting, contact NACAC as soon as possible. Space is limited and meeting times will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Room reservations must be made by June 1. A list of evening meetings will be in the final program.

Audio Recordings

Von Ende Communications will sell CDs of most general sessions and workshops during the conference and afterward at www.adoptioncds.com.

Special Considerations

If you need special accommodations (wheelchair, assistance traveling to and from sessions, etc.), please let NACAC know before the conference.

Since some attendees are sensitive to chemical scents, please don’t use perfume and cologne at the conference.