KAAN News

A Korean woman in Arizona, who was adopted and brought to the U.S. when she was eight months old, is facing deportation after a second conviction for theft, reports the Korea Times. The 31-year-old mother of three is currently being held in a federal detention center in Arizona. Read More: http://newamericamedia.org

Korean siblings reunite through Facebook

He found an old picture of himself as a boy and laughed at how he and his son had the same round ears and the funny top lip that flipped up like the bow of a ship. He perused faded images of his mother as a young woman in South Korea, and then came across his oldest sister, sitting in a meadow before he was born. Read More: http://www.koreaherald.com

Debating Twin Adoption Studies: Nature vs Nurture

"Culture" and "genes" are two major factors determining individual outcomes, toss in parenting, and if you wish call parenting and culture two parts of "environment." It is obvious that culture matters a great deal, and this comes from knowledge which existed prior to rigorous behavioral genetic studies.

Amy Chua Is a Wimp

Sometime early last week, a large slice of educated America decided that Amy Chua is a menace to society. Chua, as you probably know, is the Yale professor who has written a bracing critique of what she considers the weak, cuddling American parenting style. Read More: http://www.nytimes.com

Can N.Korean Protests Grow into a Revolution?

Small pockets of resistance have been springing up in North Korea since last year, with protests sometimes turning violent, sources in the North say. Read More: http://nknews.org

Scent of freedom in North Korea

Hundreds of protesters have collided with the authorities," said South Korea's largest-selling Chosun Ilbo newspaper on Thursday, as top news on its website Read More: http://www.atimes.com

WEBSITES

Digital Dialects Korean Games

Interactive games for learning the Korean language

http://www.digitaldialects.com

North Korean News Center

What is happening in North Korea? Find out at http://nknews.org

Imaginary Mothers Blog

Hellen Xiomara and Crescencia Castro are two of the twelve mothers we interviewed in Costa Rica last year. They were forced to relinquish their children for adoption. the mothers are from Latin America. http://imaginarymothers.wordpress.com/

BOOKS

Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids

Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids: Why Being a Great Parent is Less Work and More Fun Than You Think by Bryan Caplan

We've needlessly turned parenting into an unpleasant chore. Parents invest more time and money in their kids than ever, but the shocking lesson of twin and adoption research is that upbringing is much less important than genetics in the long run. These revelations have surprising implications for how we parent and how we spend time with our kids. The big lesson: Mold your kids less and enjoy your life more. Your kids will still turn out fine.

Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids is a book of practical big ideas. How can parents be happier? What can they change--and what do they need to just accept? Which of their worries can parents safely forget? Above all, what is the right number of kids for you to have? You'll never see kids or parenthood the same way again.

Coming out soon. Preorder at Amazon at http://www.amazon.com

All About Korea

I am delighted to announce that my latest book, All About Korea, Stories, Songs, Crafts and More, will be released in the U.S. in mid-March. All About Korea takes you to meet Korea's people, places, and traditions. With dozens of stories, games, recipes and activities, readers will learn the most fun and fascinating things about Korea, from the countryside to the busy city like Seoul.

Educators and librarians, take note! During my lively, interactive All About Korea assembly, students will learn about Korea’s daring favorite games, unique holiday traditions and participate in the reading of a silly yet thoughtful Korean tale. But the All About Korea assembly doesn’t just celebrate the wonderful Korean culture, it celebrates all cultures of the world. Thus this delightful assembly meets the #1 National Social Studies Standard: Cultural Understanding! Contact me at abowler@surewest.net to schedule a visit your school or library.

To learn about my other story readings and workshops, visit www.annmartinbowler.com. Learn more about All About Korea at: https://peripluspublishinggroup.com/tuttle/shopping/product_details.php?id=9780804840125

I thought you would enjoy a link to my recent blog. http://annmartinbowler.blogspot.com This blog contains images from my new book, photos from recent school visits, letters from students and even three newspapers created by students from Taipei European School about my visit to their school. And since I am definitely turning my grandchildren into reading nuts, I've put photos of them and their favorite books at the bottom of the page.

I hope you enjoy my blog and this lovely day,
Annie Bowler
www.annmartinbowler.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

KAAN 2011: We Have a Dream …

KAAN 2011: We Have a Dream …
July 29-31, 2011 in Atlanta, GA

Registration for KAAN’s thirteenth annual conference is now open. At www.kaanet.org, we provide a variety of registration options:

· Register and pay online using PayPal

· Register online, print the cost summary, and mail us a check

· Print the brochure, complete, and send in everything by mail

Copies of the brochure are also going out to our mailing list and should arrive by mid-March.

Conference Registration Details

Please see www.kaanet.org for specific costs and information.

Register by May 15 to take advantage of our discounted rates.

Hotel Information

Hotel reservations are separate from conference registration. If you wish to stay at the hotel, sign up early as the room block fills quickly.

Sheraton Atlanta Hotel
165 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
1.888.625.5144/ sheratonatl.com

KAAN rate: $119/night plus tax

Rate is also valid three days prior/post conference.

New KAAN Conference Registration Incentive

We have a great conference planned and want to boost our numbers so that more people than ever can enjoy it. Since word of mouth is the most powerful recruiting tool, we’d like to enlist the community’s help towards this goal. Each first-time attendee who registers online will be asked to name who introduced them to KAAN. Both people will get their names entered into a drawing for a free KAAN 2012 conference registration. There is no limit to the number of people you can recruit … your chances of winning a free conference registration increase as your recruits do. Let’s work together to fill the house!

What to Expect at KAAN 2011

Check-in begins Friday, July 29, at 1:00PM with the first film screening at 2:30PM. Closing keynote ends at 12:30PM on Sunday, July 31.

We offer six formal session blocks with many choices for attendees. Engaging keynote speakers, vendors and exhibit tables, support groups, and family and cultural activities round out the weekend. See kaanet.org for complete details; here is a taste of what is planned …

Conference Session Topics (partial list)

· What Do We Tell the Kids? Adoptees Explain Their Journey to Their Children

· Adoptive Parents and Search: Do They Have a Role?

· The Politics of Identity: Adoptees Speak Out

· No Birthfamily … Now What?

· Who’s Your Daddy? Bringing Fathers into the Equation

· Sibling Power: How We Helped Our Parents Understand

· Understanding and Challenging White Culture for the Benefit of the Family

· Becoming Bridge-People: Voices of Racial Reconciliation for the Korean Adoption Community

· Speak Your Dream in Korean

· Making Culture Camps Relevant

· Social Media for the Adoption Community

· Dual Citizenship for Adoptees

Film Screenings

· Adopted… with Jennifer Fero

· In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee… with Deann Borshay Liem

Adult Adoptee Programs

Adult adoptees can attend adult adoptee-only sessions as well as general sessions.

· An optional adult adoptee-only dinner is planned for Friday evening. Contact jennifermfero@yahoo.com for cost and times. Sign up by June 30.

· We also like to connect young adult adoptees (ages 18-20) with each other and other adoptees.

Youth Programs (for registered attendees ages 8-17)

Saturday:Daytrip to Georgia Aquarium and Civil Rights landmarks

Sunday: Peer group sessions and activities

Letters from Korea

Hello!

I have three children that were born in South Korea and adopted in 2000-2003. I started teaching kids about South Korea when my kids started school. Each year we add new students to our program. We now teach over 400 children each spring about South Korea! The kids love to learn about Korea!!!!

I am starting a new presentation for my daughter's 3rd grade class this year. It is based on the book "Dear Juno" by Soyung Pak. A description of the book can be found below if you are interested. During my presentation, I would like to have many letters from Korea for the students to see. So, I am looking for people to send letters to me.

For letter ideas, you could write about:

1. Who are you?

2. Where (what city/town/area) in South Korea do you live?

3. Can you remember...what was your favorite thing to do when you were in 3rd grade (8-10 years old)?

4. What was your favorite thing about school? What was your least favorite?

5. What is your name? Does it have a special meaning?

6. What would a 3rd grade student like to do in your city?

7. Or anything else you think would be interesting to a 3rd grade student.

We would love to see the letter written in Korean--but we would also appreciate English. If you are comfortable, we would love to receive a picture of you or your home or your city! Or maybe you could include a leaf, or a flower, or something from your area. Or, you could just send a simple letter and we would enjoy looking at the stamps on it! Anything is fine!

Letters should be sent to:

Owatonna Students

c/o Karen Hanson

1110 Sunnydale Lane SE

Owatonna, MN 55060 USA

Are there any people in your organization that you know in Korea that may be able to help us? Anyone that could send us a letter? We would welcome letters from adults or children....anyone!!! Letters could be sent at any time.....we are excited to receive them!!!

THANK YOU!

Karen Hanson

Dear Juno: Juno's grandmother writes in Korean and Juno write in drawings, but that doesn't mane they can't exchange letters. From the photo his grandmother sends, Juno can tell that she has a new cat. And from the picture he makes for her--a drawing of himself with a plane in the background--Juno's grandmother can tell that he wants her to come for a visit. So she sends Juno and extra-special package to let him know she's on the way.

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Exploring the In-race adoption of Asian Children

You are being asked to participate in the study because there is a growing field of research that has explored the transracial adoption of Asian children into White homes, but there are to date no studies have that considered the experiences of Asian/Asian American families that adopt Asian children. Selection criteria are: a) prospective or adoptive parents of Asian or Asian American children, b) between the ages of 21-60, with c) at least one parent is Asian or Asian American [participation is requested from Asian parent(s)].

This Phase II of this study. Phase I involved the completion of questionnaires (quantitative study) and Phase II will involve 30-45 minute interviews of adoptive parents.

Interviews can be conducted either in person or via phone dependent on geography and availability. I will be in Minnesota (land of 10,000+ Korean adoptees) March 12-14 in case there are parents in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that are interested in participating.

Please contact me: Kathleen Ja Sook Bergquist, Ph.D. at kathleen.bergquist@unlv.edu.

Kathleen Ja Sook Bergquist, LCSW, JD, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Social Work
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Box 455032

Please Help Us Learn about Counseling Adoptive Families

Are you an adoptive parent who is about to begin or is interested in
receiving counseling for your family or you adopted child?

•    If so, you could be part of an exciting research project that could
lead to improved services and resources for families like yours.
•    Participation would involve a total 2 hours of your family’s time:
one hour to answer questionnaires prior to beginning counseling and
one hour after completing counseling.
•    Participating families will receive a total of $20 in gift
certificates to Target.
•    Please help the University of Maryland Department of Psychology and
the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) with this
important study. For information, contact Maria Wydra, M.A., at (443)
742-1041 or mwydra@psyc.umd.edu.

Interviewees Needed for Birth Family Reunion Study

Hello,

My name is Sara Docan-Morgan, and I am a Korean adoptee and an assistant
professor of Communication Studies at the University of Wisconsin, La
Crosse.

I am conducting a research study that examines Korean adoptees'
reunions with their birth families. I am interested in adoptees'
communication (or lack thereof) with their adoptive families about these
reunions, as well as the communication that takes place with birth
families before, during, and after reunions. My overall goal is to
better understand Korean adoptees' birth family reunion experiences
and the interactions that surround these reunions.

If you are a Korean adoptee 18 years or older and have reunited with
your birth family, I would be honored to hear about your experience. I
will be conducting interviews in-person or via Skype, depending on your
preference. I would be happy to set up an interview at a time and
location convenient for you. Interviews will last approximately 30-75
minutes, depending on the amount you would like to share.

If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact
me at 507-450-3561, or e-mail me at docan-mo.sara@uwlax.edu.

A little about me:
Please click here
<http://www.uwlax.edu> if
you would like to see my faculty profile

My work has recently been published in the Journal of Korean Adoption
Studies, the Journal of Family Communication, and the Journal of Social
and Personal Relationships.

GOA'L Supported Adoption Study

Survey for Korean Adult Adoptees by Korean Danish Adoptee

G.O.A.'L Members, Supporters and Friends,
In an effort to promote research and studies for Korean adult adoptees, G.O.A.'L is asking you to participate or pass this information onto to those who are interested so that it can help benefit the adult adoptee community. Attached is a description of the research, its purpose and a message from the researcher herself. Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Yoo Shin Kim ???
Secretary General ???? Global Overseas Adoptees' Link (G.O.A.'L) (?)???????

Life satisfaction among adult transnational Korean adoptees
Despite the long history of adoption from Korea, adult adoptees remain an underresearched group in adoption studies. Therefore, with a focus on adult adoptees, this study aims to explore the specific factors influencing subjective life satisfaction among adult transnational Korean adoptees. Concrete knowledge about the influence of adoption-specific circumstances will allow distinct characteristics of the adoption experience to surface and thereby help us to understand the experience of adoption in general and develop effective services for transnational Korean adoptees in particular. The survey consists of 8 sections (each with several questions) and will take approximately 10-15 minutes to fill out. You will automatically be taken to the following section upon completion of each section.

Here is the link http://www.goal.or.kr

Message from Master's Degree Candidate Boonyoung Han - A Korean Danish Adoptee
Dear Participant,
My name is Boonyoung Han. I am a graduate student seeking my Master's degree in Social Work at Soongsil University, Korea and a Korean adoptee. I have since my return to Korea through my involvement in various adoptee organizations witnessed many positive changes for adoptees. However, I also find that much about the adoption experience remains to be unfolded. I would therefore like to invite you to take part in a research study designed to learn more about the factors influencing the life satisfaction among adult transnational Korean adoptees. I am conducting this survey for my Master's Thesis and hope that YOU will be generous enough to share your invaluable experiences with me. Participation is anonymous and all information will be kept confidential.

If you have any questions or comments about the questionnaire or wish to receive a copy of the study upon completion, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Disclaimer: This survey is not an official G.O.A.'L survey but is hosted through the G.O.A'L survey website. G.O.A.'L is not responsible for the content and views of the researcher.

February, 2011
Soongsil University, Social Welfare Graduate Program

Supervisor: Professor Helen NOH
Researcher: Boonyoung HAN
E-mail: hanboonyoung@yahoo.com

There are 31 questions in this survey.
A note on privacy: This survey is anonymous. The record kept of your survey responses does not contain any identifying information about you unless a specific question in the survey has asked for this. If you have responded to a survey that used an identifying token to allow you to access the survey, you can rest assured that the identifying token is not kept with your responses. It is managed in a separate database, and will only be updated to indicate that you have (or haven't) completed this survey. There is no way of matching identification tokens with survey responses in this survey.

East Asian Languages and Literatures after 1900 Call for Papers

The Modern Language Association (MLA) division on East Asian Languages and Literatures after 1900 seeks paper proposals for the following panels to be held at the January 2012 MLA convention in Seattle:

1. “Modern East Asian Literature/World Literature”
Panel invites individual or collaborative papers that examine the complex intraregional or global connections, rivalries, dialogues, and parallels generated within or by modern East Asian literatures. 250-word abstracts and brief CVs by 15 March 2011, to Melek Ortabasi (mso1@sfu.ca) and Michael Emmerich (maikerue@gmail.com).
and 2. “Recognition as Critique”
Examination of literary practices which provoke or hinder recognition of subordinated and/or exploited groups, paying particular attention to strategies of representation that destabilize or reinforce dominant group norms. 250-word abstracts and brief CVs by 15 March 2011, to Henry Em (henryem@nyu.edu) and Michael Emmerich (maikerue@gmail.com).

--
Henry Em
Associate Professor
East Asian Studies, NYU
41 East 11th Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY. 10003-4602

Cell: 734-846-2500
Office: 212-998-3826

Travel to Korea Sejong 2011

Sejong Cultural Education, Inc. is pleased to announce one again to provide an exciting Trip to Korea program!
Please see link http://xa.yimg.com regarding 2011 Sejong Trip to Korea.
Hope you could join us this Summer to Korea!
Please share information with your neighbors and friends.

Thanks!

Julia S. Park
Executive Director

Sejong Cultural Education, Inc.
"Human Dignity through Cultural Understanding"
201-819-9097

Jpark@sejongusa.org

Travel to Korea Ties Program

NEW! Korea Connections by The Ties Program
July 8-17, 2011 and November 19-26, 2011 (over Thanksgiving)

A new, less expensive travel option, Korea Connections provides a well rounded
in country experience that is educational, meaningful, easy and FUN. Korea
Connections families will be accompanied by an English speaking Korean guide and
a Ties travel coordinator. "Connect & Chat" for kids, and
parent "Talk Time" are not offered as part of Connections.

Connections would be a good choice for families who have done a traditional Ties
program or
for families with more limited resources.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN. Pre-registered families have priority registration. New
registrants will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

Korean Ties-Our flagship program
June 26-July 8, 2011 (currently full, waiting list started)
For the past 17 years, our flagship Ties Programs have become known for their
exceptional quality, a direct result of extra-ordinary staffing that allows us
to serve you in extra-ordinary ways. Traditional Ties Programs are accompanied
by an adoption professional who facilitates â€œConnect & Chatâ€? with the kids, and
adult â€œTalk Timeâ€? giving participants a safe and understanding venue to process
the journey. Traditional Ties Programs are also staffed by a â€œlogistical teamâ€?
who oversees all details, bridging the gaps that sometimes arise, making the
journey as smooth as possible. Our goal is to provide excellent support to
families so they can focus on what's most important during such a profoundly
important journey: their family!

Project Kindness Korea via World Ties, our sister 501(C)(3) options available on
all programs.

For more information, please email Info@AdoptiveFamilyTravel.com

Becca Piper
Founder/Director
The Ties Program--Adoptive Family Homeland Journeys
www.AdoptiveFamilyTravel.com
1 800 398-3676 travel office

Weâ€™ve moved! Please update your records.

New Location:

2949 N. Mayfair Rd, Suite 310 Wauwatosa, WI 53222

2011 Holt-Bethany Korea Adult Adoptee Tour

Holt International and Bethany Christian Services will host the 2nd Annual
Holt-Bethany Korea Adult Adoptee Tour May 22-June 2, 2011.

*Participants:* This tour is designed specifically for Korean adult adoptees
to visit Korea as a group--to share the commonality of their adoption
experience as they return to the land of their birth. Recognizing that those
who now share our lives also benefit from sharing our early beginnings in
Korea, adoptees are welcome to bring their spouse, partner, adult children,
adoptive parents, siblings, or other significant friends or loved ones age
21 and older.

*Dates:* May 22 to June 2, 2011.

*Land package in Korea:* Includes lodging at hotel in InSadong, daily
breakfast, ground transportation, tours, miscellaneous fees, tips,
professional guide, and most meals. Some dinners will be on your own to give
you an opportunity to explore independently. Hotel rates are based on double
occupancy. Single rooms are available at additional cost-if you are
traveling alone we will assist you if you are interested in sharing a room.
*Cost: $3,000*

*Airfare:* Flights are approximately $1,200 West Coast departure and $1,500
East Coast departure. Participants will arrange their own flight logistics
to accommodate your choice of airline, point of departure or use of frequent
flyer miles. Kristy Monte, of Azumano Travel has been assigned to assist our
tour and help you arrange your flight. You can to be on the same flight as
Tour guides Sandy McLaughlin and Courtney Rader (we will send you their
flight information) or if you fly independently they will meet you at the
airport in Incheon! You can reach Kristy Monte at kmonte@azumano.com,
800-888-7025.

*Tour Highlights:* The itinerary is a mix of Korea culture, heritage and our
own adoption heritage. You will have time to explore on your own and with
new friends. The Somerset hotel is located in the InSadong district of Seoul
which is filled with galleries, tea houses, shops and restaurants. On the
weekends the main street is closed to traffic and there are often street
festivals and music. Sightseeing activities will include traditional Korean
Folk Village, the National Palace, Seoul City tour, Chunggyechun water-walk,
the tower at Namsan mountain, Panmunjeom (DMZ), local markets, and shopping
districts. You will also attend a Korean baseball game, the world’s largest
church, the Full Gospel Church (optional) an evening dinner cruise on the
Han River and farewell dinner at the Korea House with traditional music and
dance.

*Optional:* If you want to purchase a hanbok for $100 (Korean traditional
dress) the first night in Seoul you will have a fitting, select fabric and
style and it will be available to wear at the farewell dinner.

*Adoption Heritage:* A special part of the tour is visiting the Holt office
and Reception Center in Seoul. We will visit the Post-Adoption Department
where adoptees can see their adoption file, go to Holt’s Ilsan Center where
the work of Holt began and enjoy a casual Korean BBQ in the countryside with
Molly Holt and the residents of IlSan. The trip includes a visit to a
Maternity and Child Care center where you will meet birth moms and children
in Holt’s care. Dr. Byung Kuk Cho, the Holt pediatrician who provided
medical services and pre-flight physicals to thousands of adoptees from the
early 1960’s – 1990’s is joining parts of the tour to be available to answer
questions and tell wonderful stories of her many years working with
children. Her amazing spirit and dedication is an inspiration to everyone
she meets. (If you were adopted from Holt Korea, look on your child intake
material to see if she was your pediatrician)

*For Adoptees:* This tour is led by Korean adoptees Sandy McLaughlin and
Courtney Rader. They share the common life experience of adoption and
understand from a deeply personal perspective how important it is for some
adoptees to explore their adoption. Sandy and Courtney are committed to
doing all they can to accommodate you. The following activities require that
arrangements be made in advance so Holt Korea can have the information ready
for you. Please indicate on the registration form which of these activities
you are interested in.
• Review your adoption file with social worker
• Visit your orphanage
• this will depend on location and other logistics
• we will arrange for over-night visit for adoptees from Pusan
• If possible, arrange meeting with foster family (if known)
• If possible, arrange meeting with birth family

For more information contact Courtney Rader, Adult Adoptee Director at
courtneyr@holtintl.org

JOURNEY 2011 : Trip to Korea for Korean Overseas Adoptees

JINHEUNGMOONHWA Co., Ltd. has hosted a motherland tour program for all
Korean Overseas Adoptees every year since 1996. The purpose of this program
is to provide an opportunity for Korean Overseas Adoptees to understand
Korean culture and tradition, to foster a strong sense of pride in the
Korean heritage and build a warm friendship between native Koreans and
adoptees. We invite Korean Overseas Adoptees to JOURNEY 2011 as below.

? Tentative Date

- June 20 - July 2, 2011 for two weeks

* please arrive before June 20

* subject to change slightly

? Applicant Qualifications / Participant Selection

- All Korean Overseas Adoptees

- 18 to 28 years of age preferred, but all ages are highly encouraged
to apply (over the age of 18 please) as each applicant is considered
individually.

- Preference to those who have not visited Korea before

- Limited to 20 participants

? Participation costs

JINHEUNGMOONHWA Co., Ltd. will cover all expense for this program

(housing, food, transportation in Korea) except air travel to/from home
country

and domestic travel from Kangwondo/Jejudo/Seoul.

? How to Apply

- Fill out and Submit application form and brief essay which includes
information about yourself and what you hope to gain as a participant in
JOURNEY program. Include a recent color photo.

- Submit to: Robyn McLaughlin: robynpoland@aol.com (USA) or

Andy H Park : andyhpark@jh1004.com

- Application Form (Download application form at http://1004calendar.com)

* Early application is highly appreciated as participants are accepted on
a first come

basis.

? Application Deadline

- March 31, 2011

? Host

- JINHEUNGMOONHWA Co., Ltd.

104-8 Shinseol-dong, Dongdaemoon-gu, Seoul, Korea

Tel: 82-2-2230-5155 Fax: 82-2-2230-5156

http://1004calendar.com

? Contact Information

- Korea : Mr Andy H Park

E-mail: andyhpark@hotmail.com

Tel: +82-2-2230-5155 / Fax: +82-2-2230-5156

- U.S.A. : Ms. Robyn McLaughlin, a JOURNEY 2001 participant

E-mail: robynpoland@gmail.com

Tel: +1-732-721-8450/ Fax: 732-588-5987

EVENTS

IAC Center Groups - New Jersey, New York - January through April 2011

All IAC Center Groups are professionally led. Contact jmantellmsw@iaccenter.com or 609-737-8750 for more information or to sign up for a group. (Please use this as the contact information for all groups/workshops except for the Teen groups.)

Pennington , NJ

? NEW Infertility Support Groups forming in Pennington, NJ. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month. Dates - 1/3, 1/17, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21

? Pennington Pre-Adopt Groups meet once a month

Fourth Tuesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dates – 1/25, 2/22, 3/22

Second Saturday of the month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dates – 1/8, 2/12, 3/12. ·

? Pennington Parents through Domestic Adoption Group - meets once a month on the third Thursday of the month from 10:30 to 12 noon. Dates – 1/20, 2/17, 3/17

? Pennington Parents through International Adoption Group - meets once a month from 10 to 11:30. Dates – 1/30, 2/27, 3/27

? Pennington Girl’s Group - For girls ages 8 to 10. Meets the 2nd Friday of the month from 4:30 to 5:45. Dates – 1/14, 2/11, 3/11

? Pennington Tween Group - For girls 11 to 13. Meets the 2nd Friday of the month from 6 to 7:15 Dates – 1/14, 2/11, 3/11.

Montclair NJ

? Montclair Evening Parents Group - will meet the third Wednesday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. Dates – 1/19, 2/16, 3/16

? Montclair Daytime Parents Group - will meet the third Tuesday of the month from 1-2:30 p.m. Dates – 1/18, 2/15, 3/15

? Montclair Teen Group - Will meet on the second Monday of the month from 6-7:30pm Contact IAC Center Counselor Bridget Devine at bdevinemsw@gmail.com or 973-534-6680 for a screening interview for this group. Dates – 2/14, 3/14

? Montclair Pre-Adopt Group - Will meet on the first Monday of the month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. 2/7, 3/7

New York – Manhattan

? NY Pre-Adopt Groups meets once a month on the Third Tuesday of the month from 6:15 to 7:45 pm Dates – 1/18, 2/15, 3/15

· New York Parents through International Adoption Group – Will meet on the first Wednesday of the month starting 3/2

· New York Teen Group will meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6-7:30 pm starting 3/23. Contact IAC Center Counselor Bridget Devine at bdevinemsw@gmail.com or 973-534-6680 for a screening interview for this group.

WORKSHOPS – Contact jmantellmsw@iaccenter.com or 609-737-8750 for more information or to sign up for a workshop.

? ·Baby Care for Adoptive Parents Workshop - http :// www . iaccenter . com / workshops / workshop - baby - care . asp - 2/5 – Pennington, NJ

? Baby Care for Adoptive Parents Workshop –-

http :// iaccenter . com / workshops / workshop - baby - care - ny . asp - 4/2 - Manhattan

· Frontload Your Child Now to Meet the Challenges of Adolescence – 4/16 - Pennington

Pen and Think - Cambridge, MA - January to March 2011

Please join Jennifer Eckert, LCSW and Kelly Chase, Clinical Intern for Pen and Think, an Adult Writing Group intended for adopted individuals, adoptive parents, and birth parents.
To register contact Jennifer at 617-547-0909.

Parenting Through Adoption - Wheaton, IL - March 5, 2011

20th Annual Parenting Through Adoption Chicago Conference March 5th, 2011 at Wheaton College, Wheaton Illinois 7:30am to 4:00pm Keynote Speaker: Adam Pertman, Director of the Evan B Donaldson Adoption Institute. Foster parents, pre- and post-adoptive parents, birthparents, and professionals in adoption are all invited to attend--we are offering a wide selection of workshop topics, geared to each group.
For more information, visit our website at: http://www.caffa.org

The Dance of Attachment - Oakland, CA - March 12,13, 2011

Please join us for a day with Holly van Gulden, MSW, a nationally recognized speaker and adoption counselor. She has presented at hundreds of conferences and workshops for adoptive parents and for adoption professionals. She is co-author of Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child, and is a columnist for "Adoptive Families" magazine.

Holly van Gulden's work is centered on the building blocks, or the core psychological experiences and capacities that are necessary to develop a stable and resilient sense of self. These capacities, called "Object Relations, Self-Permanence and Constancy," are fundamental to how individuals perceive themselves and those around them, and are directly related to one's capacity to receive, hold and offer to others: safety, comfort, warmth, value and joy.

Practical tools will be provided to help children and adults who are already well attached and simply looking to strengthen those connections as a way of ensuring a strong future as well as those who are struggling to develop healthy attachments and foster the capacity to receive, hold and offer to others: safety, comfort, warmth, value and joy.

When: Saturday March 12, 2011 9:00 - 4:00pm and Sunday March 13, 2011 1:00 - 5:00pm
Where: Head Royce School, Oakland, CA 94611

Picking Up the Pieces - Cambridge, MA - Wednesdays in March 2011

Center For Family Connections is proud to offer a 6-session therapeutic group for adoptive

and foster parents of children who have experienced trauma, loss and/or difficult beginnings.

When: Section I: Wednesday afternoons from 12:00 – 1:30pm

March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, and April 6th

Section II: Thursday evenings from 5:30 – 7:00pm

March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, April 1st and 7th

What: Six group sessions that will include support with personal experiences;

understanding the impact of difficult beginnings; and techniques for responding

to difficult behaviors at home.

Cost: $325 for six sessions led by two clinicians, including refreshments.

Insurance: MBHP (MassHealth) accepted, call regarding other insurances

Led by: Mary D. Gallaudet, LICSW with Lauren Bentlage, Clinical Intern (Session I) and

Suzanne Muldoon, M.A., Clinical Extern (Session II)

Pre-registration* and pre-payment required (space is limited).

MasterCard and Visa accepted. Registration fee is non-refundable.

*Please register by February 21st.

To register or ask any questions, please contact Center For Family Connections:

350 Cambridge Street • Cambridge, MA 02141 • 617-547-0909

www.kinnect.org • cffc@kinnect.org

MOSAIC

A group for adopted and foster kids ages 9 to 12

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Asian American Movement - Ann Arbor, MI - March 25-26, 2011

OUT OF THE MARGINS:
ASIAN AMERICAN MOVEMENT BUILDING

A two-day conference on the past, present, and future of activism and
social change
March 25-26, 2011
University of Michigan

HIGHLIGHTS:

· Conversation between Grace Lee Boggs and Michael Hardt on the
Next American Revolution (3/25, 4pm, Michigan League Ballroom)
· Asian American performers showcase with Geologic (from Blue
Scholars), Kiwi and DJ Phatrick, comic Hari Kondabolu, and Nobuko
Miyamoto (3/25, 7:30pm, Michigan League Ballroom)
· Panel discussions on immigrant rights, youth organizing,
cultural activism, building multiracial coalitions and campus/
community connections (3/26, 9am to 6pm, Trotter Multicultural Center)

Join students, scholars, artists, and community organizers from the
University of Michigan and across the nation in this historic event.

SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATED INFO AND FREE REGISTRATION:
http://www.umich.edu

Sponsored by:
University of Michigan Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies Program
Committee on Institutional Cooperation
Asian American Association
Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives
Rackham Graduate School
United Asian American Organizations
Asian American Studies Program (Ohio State University)
Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs, Asian/Pacific Islander American Heritage
Month
Michigan Community Scholars Program

Adoption and Attachment - New York, NY - April 6, 2011

This evening of presentations and discussion brings together leading authorities in the fields of adoption, attachment and clinical intervention. Adoption offers children the most radical form of intervention that exists, arising from the promise of permanence in a new family. Adoptive families often face unique challenges as children’s prior experiences often include physical, emotional and social deprivation. The presentations will focus on the unique needs of adopted children with special emphasis on the nature of attachment relationships, and new ways of supporting adoptive families.

Jane Aronson will discuss her thoughts about the challenges and needs that adoptive families face. Based on over 20 years of experience working as the leading pediatric specialist in the field of adoption, and institutional care, Dr. Aronson will offer her unique insights on understanding and supporting adoptive families.

Dr. Miriam Steele is Professor and Director of the Clinical Training program in Clinical Psychology at the New School for Social Research. Miriam’s work over 20 years has used an attachment framework to bridge theory, research, and applied issues in the field of adoption and foster care. Professor Steele will address the implications of trauma, loss, and separation for the individual adopted child (and adoptive parent), as well as family processes that contribute to the resolution of trauma and loss, permitting new adoptive families to realize for all its members the promise of permanence, safety and health.

Pre-Registration (on or before March 1, 2011): $15
Registration (after March 1, 2011): $20
RSVP: adoptionattachmentconference@gmail.com

Understanding the Stress-Shaped Brain - San Jose, CA - April 9, 2011

Forwarding by request of an FCC member and therapist. Please note that this
workshop is for psychotherapists and other mental health professionals only.

Patty Cogen, M.A., Ed.D.,
Author of Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child

Workshop 1: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Understanding the Stress-Shaped Brain and Early Development: Aka Traumatic Development Disorder

Dr. Patty Cogen will focus on how a child's brain and attachment skills are disrupted and reshaped by early trauma including the “invisible” traumas of international adoption, foster care and overly busy, neglectful parents.

***This training is for psychotherapists and other mental health professionals only. It is not appropriate for parents. Parenting groups will be offered at a later time. ***

Workshop 2: Sunday April 10, 2011
Early Intervention for the Stress-shaped Brain:
The First Year Home Group for Adopted Children and Their Families

Dr. Cogen will describe the psycho-educational format, play therapy, and parent education techniques of the internationally known First Year Home Group. This approach enables children to replace traumatic developmental behavior (survival skills) with family skills.

***Only available to Participants who attend Workshop 1***

Location: 1101 South Winchester Blvd., San Jose, CA 95128
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Fee: $100/ day
Limit: 12 participants/workshop
CEU’s For LMFT’ sand LCSW’s Associated Counselors Provider No.: PC
3161

*Reserve your space by March 20, 2011 – The fee increases by $10 after this date

Contact Karen Wride to register and for further information karenwride@att.net or phone (408) 886-7143

AAC Conference - Orlando, FL - April 13-17, 2011

In addition to many well-known keynote speakers, we offer enriching workshops presented by a wide range of people in the adoption community.

Click here for brochure: http://www.americanadoptioncongress.org

Race: Are We So Different? - Boston, MA - Through May 1, 2011

Kip Fulbeck exhibits in film, photography, spoken word, and drawing, combining these media in his solo performances. Current exhibitions of The Hapa Project come from over 1200 portraits photographed throughout the country, and range from a classic black & white series to a striking full color editioned series.

Museum of Science, Boston, MA http://www.seaweedproductions.com

Race: Are We So Different? - Charlotte, NC - Through May 8, 2011

Discovery Place Museum Charlotte, NC http://www.seaweedproductions.com

Race: Are We So Different? - San Diego, CA - Through May 15, 2011

Museum of Man, San Diego, CA http://www.seaweedproductions.com

Camp Rice - Emmitsburg, MD - July 8-10, 2011

2011 Camp Rice
July 8-10, 2011 (Friday 5 p.m. through Sunday afternoon 2 p.m.)

Summit Lake Camp

7610 Hampton Valley Road

Emmitsburg, MD 21727

All Services for International Adoptees and Adoptive Families would like to invite you to our second annual family/teen camps. This year’s theme will be ‘festivals of Korea.’ We will be creating activities and classes to learn about Korean culture by exploring modern and traditional festivals in Korea.

Who should consider coming?

All adoptive families with Korean children of all ages and their siblings are welcome to participate. We are planning two separate camps –family camp and teen camp. There will be nursery programs for infants and toddlers, as well as programs for school-age children, and adults. Special attention will be given to birth children and children from countries other than Korea. Our Teen Camp will be operated in the same facility but in a different section of the retreat center. While adults and younger children stay in a room with a separate shower with their parents, teen campers will stay with their adult adopteecounselors.

What age is considered as a teen camper?

Teen campers are students who have completed 5th grade through 11th grade by Summer of 2011. If you are 18 and older and have graduated from a high school by June, you can apply to become a volunteer camp counselor. Teen campers can be dropped off at camp alone for the weekend. If you are a family with three children with one child’s being 14 years old, your whole family can participate as family campers, but your 14 years old will be considered as a teen camper. It is recommended that your teen campers stay with other teens if your family will be staying overnight at the camp.   We have had birth siblings who came to our camp in the past. It is their choice if they would like to join the teen program or family camp program.

Accommodations and location

Summit Lake is a year-round conference & retreat Center located near Emmitsburg, MD approximately 23 miles north of Fredericks, MD. There are many outdoor activities you’re your family can enjoy during your stay. Just to mention a few, you could enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, ball games (indoor and outdoor).      Accommodations for family campers are rooms which are located in four different lodges. Most of the lodges offer a private bathroom with a shower. There are a few rooms that have a joint bathroom between two rooms.   We plan to give this kind of rooms to families who are related or close. Please indicate your preference in the registration form if you would like to be placed in rooms with one bathroom and a shower with another family. Each room can sleep up to 4 people and has 3-4 twin sized bunk beds. All campers will need to bring their own linens, pillows, blanket or sleeping bags. All lodges are air-conditioned. Teen campers will be staying in cabins sharing their rooms with other teen campers. Although cabins are not air-conditioned, temperature during overnight is controlled by fans and it will be comfortable. All meals will be served by the Summit Lake Camp this year. Summit Lake Camp serves delicious home-cooked meals, including homemade bread & cookies. For more information about our camp facility visit http://www.summitlake.org.

Registration Fee

The full camp registration fee includes accommodations, 6 meals, a camp t-shirt, snacks and camp programs.

*$225 per adult, child (3 and over) , or teen

We lowered the camp fee from $265 to $225 while shortening the camp days to make the camp more affordable so that more adoptive families can join this fabulous program. $50 discount per family will be applied if there are 4 or more campers. If your teenager is participating in the teen camp, you can still receive this discount. Child under 3 pays $100 to use the camp facility. If you need daycare for your child under 3, please let us know. We will plan to offer daycare for the time for toddlers when older family campers participant in cultural classes. Teen campers It is recommended that your teenager stay with their counselors for most of the time during the camp if your whole family participates in the family camp. Parents of teens will have a chance to be briefed about their achievements before the end of the camp. *$225 per camper is a discounted rate, ASIA plans to do significant fundraising activities to be able to offer this rate.

Financial assistance for teen campers

If your family recently experienced unemployment and financially cannot afford sending your teen ager to Camp Rice, please write to us. We will be doing some fundraisers and will be able to offer a few scholarships for teen campers.

Would you like to sponsor an adult adoptee counselor to come to the camp?

Camp Rice is a place where adult adoptees get together once a year to give their time and energy to mentor younger adoptees.   They are a great asset to Camp Rice program. In order to host one counselor, it costs us $225. If you can make a donation of $225, we can bring more adult adoptees to join the camp. Help us continue this valuable tradition.

How to register

To reserve your spot, fill out the registration form and send it with a non-refundable pre-registration fee of $200. Contact Mary Anne Wylie to request a registration form at walker.wylie@verizon.net. Checks should be made payable to ASIA, Inc.   Though there is no deadline to receive registrations, it is likely to be fully booked soon due to the number of people who have expressed interest previously.

Contact us

If you have a question related to camp registration or medical forms, contact Mary Ann Wylie at walker.wylie@verizon.net.    Medical form will be emailed to you after receiving your registration.

All other questions such as financial assistance, counselor application form, camp curriculum, accommodation, volunteering, sponsorship, donation and etc, contact Grace Song at hwakangsong@gmail.com or 703-999-4206

Pact Family Camp - North Lake Tahoe, CA - July 17-21, 2011

July 17-21st, 2011

We've planned an exciting program that includes a rich blend of education, community-building, sharing and recreation. Enjoying group activities together in the woods, in the pool, and at mealtimes will provide wonderful opportunities to connect. Many of the families who attend camp are transracial (parenting children across racial lines) but we welcome all families, whether your adoption was domestic or international, and whether you have birth kids along with adopted kids. We especially encourage parents of color to join us at camp.

For more info or to register visit: http://www.pactadopt.org

KAAN's MISSION is: To Support Networking And Build Understanding Among Adoptees, Adoptive Families, Koreans And Korean Americans. Visit KAAN's website at http://www.kaanet.com/ .

KAAN does not endorse or take responsibility for the opinions or programs presented in the newsletter. Please send us information about events in your area, articles, personal requests etc. so that we may share them with others.

Send information about events, interesting articles or websites, personal requests and questions, as well as other items of interest to us at mailto:kaanet@aol.com