Pre-Adoptive Parent Education for Adopting an Infant
Prior to the placement of a child, all pre-adoptive parents must participate in a minimum of 10 hours of adoption training and certify to Bright Futures that they have done so.
Bright Futures requires all pre-adoptive parents to participate in the following small group education programs:
Nuts & Bolts of Infant Adoption: During this two hour session adoptive parents will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the process of adoption and issues that arise as you make an adoption plan. Topics that will be covered include open adoption, who are our birth families and talking with your child’s birth family, how to explain open adoption to your family and friends – what to share and what not to share, hospital planning, adoption as a lifelong process, and the legal process.
Prior to the placement of a child, all pre-adoptive parents must participate in a minimum of 10 hours of adoption training and certify to Bright Futures that they have done so.
Bright Futures requires all pre-adoptive parents to participate in the following small group education programs:
Nuts & Bolts of Infant Adoption: During this two hour session adoptive parents will have the opportunity to delve deeper into the process of adoption and issues that arise as you make an adoption plan. Topics that will be covered include open adoption, who are our birth families and talking with your child’s birth family, how to explain open adoption to your family and friends – what to share and what not to share, hospital planning, adoption as a lifelong process, and the legal process.
Parenting Your Adopted Child: During this two hour session adoptive parents will have the opportunity to learn about attachment, child development and the impact of adoption, how parenting an adopted child is different than parenting a biological child and parenting techniques, talking to your child about adoption, the seven core issues in adoption and identity development, risks in domestic infant adoption and community resources for adoptive families.
Introduction to Open Adoption: A Panel Discussion – During this two hour session adoptive parents will have the opportunity to hear the stories of birth parents, adoptive parents and adopted persons with a focus on better understanding the importance of openness in adoption. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and enter into a dialogue with all members of the adoption triad as you begin to learn about the different perspectives involved in making an adoption plan.
In addition to these classes, all pre-adoptive parents are required to participate in an additional 4 hours of adoption education. Courses that we recommend are listed on the bottom of this page. Once you have completed the courses you select, please provide certificates of completion to Bright Futures.
Infant First Aid /CPR Class & Baby Care Class
In addition to the required 10 hours of adoption education, all pre-adoptive parents must take an infant first aid and CPR class AND a baby care class that addresses the basics of infant care and safety techniques, including bathing, feeding, dressing etc. Adoption Community of New England offers baby care classes for pre-adoptive parents in a supportive environment. For class fees, dates and times please visit www.rfkchildren.org/acone. Private classes can be arranged upon request. Other baby care classes are acceptable.
Options for Additional Infant Adoption Education
Adoption Learning Partners offers many online courses that are relevant to domestic infant adoption. Courses that relate to making a profile, financing your adoption or the tax credit will not be considered for adoption education credits. If you have any questions about which courses will count toward the infant adoption education requirement, please check with your social worker.
“Evaluating Medical Risk in Domestic Infant Adoption” with Dr. Lisa Prock. Offered by JF&CS Adoption Resources several times each year for approximately $20/person. Certificates will be provided for 2 hours of infant adoption training. For more information contact ngordon@adoptionresources.org. JF&CS Adoption Resources sometimes offers other adoption education courses that would be appropriate.
Private Consultation with Pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Gill regarding prenatal substance exposure, genetic risks and other medical risks in domestic infant adoption. To schedule a consult, please call Dr. Gill at West Cambridge Pediatrics at 617-547-1995 and let the receptionist know that you are calling to schedule a private adoption training with her and Dr. Gill will call you back.
Monthly Webinars about adoption, parenting and race are available through Pact, An Adoption Alliance. If you have any questions about whether a webinar will count toward the infant adoption education requirements, please check with your social worker.
There are many Adoption Conferences offered nationwide that may count toward the infant adoption education requirement. If you find a conference that you would like to attend, please check with your social worker about whether the conference will qualify to meet this education requirement.
There are many adoption training and educational resources besides the ones described above. If you find a course that you would like to take in person or online or a book you would like to read, please check with your social worker about whether the course/book will qualify to meet the infant adoption education requirement.