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The Barker Blog

August 12, 2013
10 Ways to Integrate your Adopted Child into Your Family
I recently attended the FFTA (Foster Family Treatment Association) conference in Nashville, Tennessee. I received an excellent tool through one of the workshops I attended which discussed post-placement support for adoptive families. We discussed “Ways to Integrate your Adopted Child into your Family” here are 10 of my favorite tips:*Create a new family history – family members may start a family album that includes the new extended family, as well as fun shots of each individual member.
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care, Adoption Perspectives
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June 28, 2013
Meeting Your Child for the First Time
All adoptive parents think about what it will be like to meet their child for the first time. What will he look like? What will she think? Will he want to sit and talk? Will she want to do something fun and distracting?As potential parents we try to anticipate every possible outcome and be prepared for the needs that our child might have.
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care, Adoption Perspectives
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June 28, 2013
From Our Director - The True Definition of Success
In this section of our newsletter, we often feature stories of families that have adopted through PWNL and have gone on to do very well.  Recently, I had one such parent ask me why we never feature stories of the families that struggle.  I shared with her that while I would love to do that, very few people are willing to give us permission to share those stories in our newsletter.  So, in lieu of a family story – I thought that I could share some insight as a professional that has been working in foster care and adoption for over 16 years.
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care, Adoption Perspectives, Barker Moments
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June 10, 2013
Meet the Sutton Family: A Single Dad's Inspirational Adoption Story
In honor of Fathers Day which is June 16th I’d like to thank all of the fathers who have been involved with Project Wait No Longer or as a mentor/foster parent to any child in the foster care system. I would also like to share the inspirational story of one of PWNL’s single dads! Sam was matched with his son DeWayne from Washington in 2010, when DeWayne was 10 years old. 
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care, Barker Moments
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June 7, 2013
Family Addition Premiers Tonight @ 9pm
Most people in the adoption and foster care field are familiar with the inspirational blockbuster film The Blind Side which is the story of Michael Oher and the Tuohy family. Well, if you thought that was a great story you have to check out the new show Family Addition. 
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care, Adoption Perspectives
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May 28, 2013
The Barker Foundation’s Annual Picnic
Last weekend we celebrated The Barker Foundation’s Annual Picnic. Lots of Project Wait No Longer families attended with their children! The three boys shown above are all children who found their forever homes through PWNL. 
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care, Events
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May 28, 2013
Four Resources for Raising Your Child Post Adoption
By Rita SoronenPresident and CEO, Dave Thomas Foundation
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care, Adoption Perspectives
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May 28, 2013
The Adoption Clubhouse - A Place for Adopted Children and Their Parents to Know What's on the Mind of Young Adoptees.
Link: The Adoption Clubhouse - A Place for Adopted Children and Their Parents to Know What's on the Mind of Young Adoptees. The National Adoption center has launched an exciting website specifically for adopted children ages 8 - 13, their parents and others interested in knowing what’s on the minds of young adoptees.
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care, Adoption Perspectives
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May 22, 2013
3 Places to Volunteer with Children in Foster Care (VA, MD, DC)
DC Family and Youth Initiative is the only DC area organization focused exclusively on helping teens in foster care make lifelong connections with caring adults. They create enriching lifetime relationships for youth at risk of aging out of foster care. They match youth with host parents and mentors as well as helping youth find adoptive families. Learn more by visiting: http://www.dcfyi.org/volunteer-dcfyi.
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care
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May 14, 2013
Training Opportunity: Creating Sexual Safety and Promoting Healing (Recovery) in Adoption and Foster Care
About The Workshop: Current estimates of sexual abuse among children in foster and adoptive placement range from 75% to 85%.  Given the high incidence of sexual abuse among children who are entering adoption, it is imperative that adoptive families understand the facts of abuse as well as their respective roles in the healing process.  Equally important is the individual’s level of comfort in discussing sexual abuse and normal sexual issues. 
Categories: Older Child Adoption from Foster Care, Events
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