Workshop Series

W.I.S.E. Up! Workshop

Date: Sunday February 21, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m
Place: St. Mary's Church, Route 34 (North Bound side) and Phalanx Road,
Colt's Neck, New Jersey
Fee: $90 per family includes the W.I.S.E. Up! Powerbook
**Bring your own bag lunch**
Workshop facilitated by Infertility and Adoption Counseling Center www.iaccenter.com and Sponsored by Monmouth/Ocean County Adoptive Families Support Group, LLC

This workshop is for pre-adoptive and adoptive parents, as well as adopted children ages 6-11.

Did you know nearly every adopted child is asked questions about their adoption? For children in trans-racial families, they may also be asked questions about their race. This may start as early as age 3 with: "Why don't you look like your mom?” For others, it may not begin until ages 6, 7 or even 8 with: “Why were you adopted?” or “Where is your real mother?”
Now you can empower your child with W.I.S.E. Up! The nationally recognized tool developed by C.A.S.E. to help parents just like you empower their children to handle comments and questions; and to decide the most comfortable ways to communicate about their adoption story with others.  The workshop is facilitated by IAC Center Counselors with adult adoptees as assistants. The format includes separate and joint sessions for parent and for children groups. In this workshop parents and children will learn:

• A common language to use in communicating about these issues within the family
• Strategies and tools to deal effectively with difficult adoption-related situations
• To feel empowered when confronted with inappropriate comments and questions

Session 1:
Time: 1:00 to 2:45 p.m.
Parents will meet with one IAC Center Counselor while children meet with a second IAC Center Counselor.  Adults who were adopted will assist with the children's group.

Each group will identify difficult situations and learn the W.I.S.E. Up tools and strategies for dealing with them.

Session 2:

Time: 2:45 to 3:15 A Demonstration of WISE Up tools

Session 3:

Time: 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. Adult Adoptee Panel for parents while children play games and do arts and crafts.

Seating is limited. Pre-registration is required and should be completed at least one week prior to the event. Payment must be received in order to confirm your registration. Cancellations must be received at least three days prior to the event.

For additional information:
Phone 609-737-8750, or E-mail: info@iaccenter.com