2008 Family Education Classes



Alaska
Washington class information
Strengthening Families Created by Adoption
Classes Presented by the Alaska Center for Resource Families *
When you adopt a child through WACAP, we require you to attend five free classes to help you prepare for your role as adoptive parents. These classes explore issues such as how institutional living affects children, the role of birth parents and becoming a transracial family. They’re appropriate for all types of adoption—both domestic and international. You need to attend two classes before your homestudy is approved (both parents should come to these classes), and three more between homestudy approval and the time your adoption is finalized in the United States (it’s OK for only one parent to attend these). You need to come to these classes if you live in one of the following areas:

Anchorage
Classes meet at the Alaska Center for Resource Families, 840 K St., Suite 101. For more information or to pre-register, call 907-279-1820.

Next class: Wednesdays, Sept. 17–Oct. 8, 6–9 p.m.
Following class: Mondays and Wednesdays, Dec. 1–10, 6–9 p.m.

Topics:
  • Meeting Birth Parents
  • Talking to Your Child about Adoption
  • Grief and Loss in Adoption
  • The Effects of Institutionalization
  • Attachment and Bonding
  • Transracial Adoption
  • Medical Issues in Adoption
Mat-Su Valley
For class information, call 907-376-4678 in Wasilla.

Girdwood
For information on classes in Girdwood/Palmer, please call 907-279-1820.

Fairbanks
Classes meet at the Alaska Center for Resource Families, 815 Second Ave., Suite 101. You must preregister by calling 479-7307.

Next class: Sept. 25 and 27, 2008
Following class: Feb. 26 and 28, 2009

Thursday
6–9 p.m.
Introduction and Adoptive Families Panel
Saturday
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Adoption Basics and Getting to Know Birth Parents
  • Grief and Loss in Adoption
  • Attachment
  • Talking to Kids about Adoption
  • Transracial Adoption
There is no fee for classes. You’ll receive a certificate of completion. If you have questions, call Elaine Cordova at 907-279-1820.

Ongoing Services
All participants will have access to continued support services by the Alaska Adoption Support Center staff, access to the agency resource library, newsletters, and other classes.

*The Alaska Center for Resource Families, supported by a contract with the State of Alaska, offers resources to Alaskan adoptive and guardianship families.

Questions about the classes, or about WACAP’s education requirement? Please call WACAP Social Services at 1-800-732-1887.