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International Adoptive Families
is a support group founded in 1997 that now offers an impressive range of programs for families adopting children from other countries. For 13 years we have organized the annual Adoption Fair for prospective parents. We provide educational programs for waiting and new families on essential topics such as choosing special needs adoption, preparing for and coping with travel, health issues in adoption, promoting attachment post-adoption depression. Parent meetings cover many important aspects of raising adopted children: attachment issues, race and adoption, sensory issues, school issues, telling the adoption story etc. We offer a workshop on making lifebooks, and a W.I.S.E UP workshop that teaches children how to handle questions and comments about adoption. We build children’s positive self-image with events that celebrate their country of origin; Lunar New Year and Moon Festival for Asian children, an Eastern European celebration, and one for the Americas, most of these in partnership with the Discovery Center. Through Missouri State Universitys Camp Bear, we offer a weeklong summer camp on Chinese culture, Camp Panda. We also hold social events where families with children from many countries get together: our summer picnic and swim party, and our holiday party in December. We bring in outside speakers, the most important being the nationally-renowned Heart of the Matter Seminar on adoptive parenting. We also have a lending library of books, videos and DVDS on all adoption issues. In addition, the President, Jessica Gerard, is a recognized local expert on every aspect of international adoption, and is always available to give information, advice and support. Finally, she sends out an online newsletter every month.
All this for only $25 a year membership dues!
For more information contact us
Click here to print off a 2011-12 membership form if you wish to join the support group.
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NEW: Parent-to-Parent Support Group Meeting
The meetings will be twice a month, the first and third Sunday of each month, from 3-5 pm. Childcare will be provided, at a cost of $5 per family
Where: The Summit Preparatory School, 2155 West Chesterfield Blvd, Springfield, MO. Please contact Jessica Gerard at jgerard95@aol.com for directions.
ALL adoptive families are welcome, including waiting families and parents with domestically adopted children.
Information on the causes of these behaviors, focusing on the impact of neglect, abuse and trauma on the developing brain.
Parenting strategies that work, especially attachment parenting and information on the various therapies available that can help these children.
The stories of local parents who have successfully helped their children recover and a lending library of books and DVDS, plus handouts.
CAMP PANDA, JULY 9-13, FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-12
MSU has discontinued Camp Panda, so IAF is taking over Camp Panda, and we're moving to The Summit Preparatory School conveniently located in Chesterfield Village just off James River Freeway.
The camp will have a schedule of age-appropriate classes and activities.
- HALF DAY FROM 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
- Preschoolers from ages 3-4 or ages 5 and up
- FULL DAY FROM 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
- Ages 6 and up
We will have the same outstanding program of genuine Chinese music, dance, art, language, cooking, and martial arts, but now we can make the changes parents have asked for: a later start, a full-day program, teen volunteers, and multiple-child discounts.
The Summit has great facilities, including outdoor playground, and a music room. We will also hold parent education sessions for adoptive families on key adoption issues during the day. We will even be offering optional traditional Chinese lunches (dumplings, steamed buns, noodles etc) catered by Bao Bao.
This camp is open to all children not just Chinese adoptees, and it a great opportunity for all our adopted children to learn about another culture.
Please contact Jessica Gerard for further information, or to contribute your own ideas and requests as we put together the best Camp Panda yet! Jgerard95@aol.com, or 447-882-2516.
Please go to the April 2012 Newsletter for more details about Camp Panda.
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