You’ve yearned for the day you sign adoption paperwork to make the child you’ve grown to love, officially and legally part of your family. While this is a major celebratory event in your family’s story, your journey with adoption is only just beginning! With the help of Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC), your newly expanded family will be educated as you embark on the journey and will also be kept empowered in heart and mind for years to come.
Trauma Awareness and Healing
Adoption provides a child with a new beginning. But their past cannot be erased when they legally become your child. As APAC joins children 5 years and older with loving families, trauma from family separation, neglect, or instability may be accompanying the adopted child as they join their new home. While immediate integration may be smooth, feelings and behaviors associated with a traumatic history can resurface at various developmental stages.
APAC equips and nurtures the family unit with behavioral and emotional tools to aid the adopted child through unpacking and healing from what might be a complicated past. APAC hosts numerous webinars, workshops, and seminars throughout the state on specific trauma-related topics, such as PTSD and handling sleep disturbances. Whether in person or from home, these programs are offered at no cost.
For a retreat experience, APAC hosts an annual Permanency Conference over 3 days each spring, with specific trainings and networking events filling the itinerary to revive adoptive parents and professionals alike upon returning home.
Free one-on-one counseling services are also available to find solutions to more unique needs. All APAC counselors are master-level, adoption-competent professionals trained to provide ongoing adoption-related sessions or crisis intervention care. When you engage APAC, you’ll always have access to the providers you need. Counselors are available in offices across the state in person or virtually. A professional can also come to your home, removing the barrier of logistics and busy schedules when you just need to talk to someone.
Navigating School Transitions
The start of each academic year brings difficulties for practically all school-age children. But adopted children may face other hurdles such as having to establish new friends and relationships with new educators after changing schools. While there are systems in place to provide support to students with various disabilities, the often-increased needs of adopted children are commonly not identified or are overlooked. Parents of adopted children, then, may feel the need to advocate more than ever for their child to have what they need to thrive – but may also feel stuck as to how to do so.
Enter APAC’s therapist-moderated support groups that meet physically or virtually throughout Alabama. There’s also a private and confidential Facebook group for adoptive families to find camaraderie with others in similar situations.
For more traditional tools, APAC oversees the largest library in the state for adoption and foster care resources – books, magazines, DVDs, and more. Adoptive families are encouraged to check out these materials at their leisure by simply shipping them free to and from home. APAC also publishes timely articles on a regularly updated blog, including information on mental health-related medications and conditions commonly seen in adopted children.
Identity Exploration in Adolescence and Beyond
Adolescence can be a challenging time in any person’s life, but it may be more intricate for adopted individuals. Adopted children may examine their identity, perhaps questioning how they fit into your family. They may also become curious about their family of origin. If you’re going through this stage, remember that these questions and interests are normal. And if your adopted teen starts asking questions you’re struggling to answer or you need a listening ear in trying times, APAC continues to offer specialized support through counseling, support groups, and more.
APAC also offers youth programs for your adopted teen to befriend other teens who are also adopted. Camp APAC is a 3-day camp experience held each summer for adopted children and their siblings – ages 9-18 – to build lasting friendships throughout these transformative years. They’ll look forward to reconnecting with these friends each year, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing these relationships grow deeper each year they attend.
APAC: Your Life-Long Lifeline for Support
Whether you’ve just navigated adoption legalities, adopted years ago, or know someone who has, it’s never too late to seek support from APAC. Connecting with APAC opens the door for hope and help through timely resources so you’re never alone, no matter the age of your adopted child or how long it’s been since they officially joined your family. To find support group schedules, book a session with an APAC therapist, or learn more about how we can help at no cost, click here today.
