Adoption Network Cleveland’s Post

The Hub (August 2024): The Official Newsletter of Adoption Network Cleveland

We are proud to partner with Family Connections and the law firm of Hickman Lowder Lidrbauch & Welch Co., L.P.A. to offer a workshop providing support and education to parents/caregivers of children who may need a special education plan. The workshop is on Monday, September 16th from 5:30-7:30 with dinner and childcare provided at the Cleveland Heights University Heights Public Library on Lee Road. You must register but the workshop is free. https://lnkd.in/gnGiDjgw

Adoption and Suicidality Panel with Beth Syverson Adoption and Suicidality: Adopted people are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their non-adopted peers. Join the contributors to a new book, Adoption and Suicidality, in a discussion about how adoption impacts adoptees' mental health, and how we can all help prevent suicide. The panel, moderated by adoptive mom Beth Syverson, will consist of adoptees who have survived suicide attempts or chronic suicidality and parents whose child struggled with suicidality. Free and virtual. Monday, October 21st at 8:00 PM ET. Register here: https://ow.ly/8Jj850T4ny7

The Gathering Place with Emma Stevens aka Linda Pevac Emma Stevens aka Linda Pevac is the author of two memoirs, The Gathering Place and A Fire is Coming. Her adoption journey began with being relinquished as an infant and adopted by a mom and dad, with an adoptive brother who had also been adopted two and a half years prior. It’s only in hindsight that Emma has been able to see how her entire life has been colored and altered by being an adoptee. In her first memoir, The Gathering Place, she shares of a magical place she’s created where healing, comfort, and repair take place for the younger parts of herself who never felt safe, seen, heard, or understood. This past March, Emma was named as an Independent Author Award winner in Tucson’s 2024 Festival of Books. Her second book, A Fire is Coming, was just named as a Finalist in the 18th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards. Free and virtual. Monday, October 14th at 8:00 PM ET. Register here: https://ow.ly/oaTm50T4n8l

Are you or someone you know considering adoption for the first time? Our Adoption 101: Where Do I Begin? virtual workshop is designed specifically for those taking their first steps on this journey. This workshop will provide valuable insights on the different types of adoption, financial considerations, and more to help guide you through this important decision. Please share with anyone who might be interested, and help us spread the word! Your support makes all the difference. Learn more about our upcoming Adoption 101 workshop on September 7th from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at https://ow.ly/yFrr50T4oeb. *Adoption Network Cleveland is a neutral source of information, as we are not an adoption agency facilitating any adoptions. #AdoptionWorkshop #AdoptionJourney #AdoptionSupport

Adoption Network Cleveland Supports House Bill 580: Expanding Child Care for Foster and Kinship Caregivers We're encouraged by the recent proposal from Reps. Andrea White and Sharon Ray through House Bill 580, which aims to remove income requirements for publicly funded child care for foster caregivers and kinship caregivers. This bill is crucial for providing stability to Ohio foster kids by ensuring that caregivers who are employed or in education/training programs have access to taxpayer-funded child care. As Rep. White highlighted, the cost of child care can be a significant barrier, potentially exceeding $1,000 per month per child. This financial strain often impacts the availability of foster families and kinship placements, ultimately affecting the well-being of the child. We fully support this bill and its efforts to make child care more accessible to those caring for Ohio's foster children. Read the full story from Akron Legal News: https://lnkd.in/gudKnSXN. Learn more about House Bill 580 and its potential impact: https://lnkd.in/gV8Jaf4a #FosterCare #KinshipCare #OhioLegislation #ChildCare #AdoptionNetworkCleveland

How to Bring Lightness to the Tough Stuff with Lauren LoGuidice Comedian Lauren LoGiudice loves delving into difficult topics. A few years ago, she found out she was donor conceived after a lifetime wondering why she was the odd-one-out in an Italian-American family, and has been creating comedy about it ever since. During the day she teaches comedy to non-comedians who are seeking to bring similar lightness to their story and in the process has discovered patterns and tools that can help you do the same. Free and virtual. Monday, October 7th at 8:00 PM ET. Register here: https://ow.ly/xF3N50T4mwt

Buy Your Tickets by August 31st to Receive Free Parking! **Several high-profile events are taking place in downtown Cleveland on September 14th. Special event parking costs will be in effect, and parking could cost as much as $50. Free parking for the event is only available if you purchase your tickets and let us know you need parking by August 31st. Purchase your tickets here: https://ow.ly/scW450T1zv6

An Adoptee's Reflections on Working in Adoption and Foster Care with Sandi Caesar Sandra “Sandi” Caesar is an adoptee and, for many years worked as an adoption professional. She was born Cristina Rodriguez in Panama to a 14-year-old girl who parented her for most of her 1st year. Ultimately, she was placed for adoption by her maternal grandmother without the knowledge or consent of her birth mother. Sandi was adopted by a Black US Air Force family stationed in Panama at the time. Sandi was naturalized as a US citizen at age 2 and moved to Dayton, Ohio at 3 years old. Sandi has been reunited with her birthmother and maternal family in Panama since 2004. Sandi holds a B.S. degree in Human Development from Howard University and an M.S.W. from Indiana University. Like many people in social work, Sandi has found parallels between the work she was drawn to and her personal life – finding answers to many of her own life questions while working with people who are often at their most vulnerable. Sandi is excited to share her own evolution of thought, insights, and experiences working in foster care and adoption as an adoptee with you. Free and virtual. Monday, September 23rd at 8:00 PM ET. Register here: https://ow.ly/1L5950T4hJt