Fall FSA Education Classes!

Mark your calendars for the Families Supporting Adoption education classes! All couples need 10 hours of education classes and this is a great way to get them. We have excellent classes this fall. The following are the dates and schedule for the classes:

October 6^th, An overview of Adoption taught by RaeAnn and Jon. Jon and RaeAnn will talk about the adoption process from the home study to finalization.

October 13^th, Multi-cultural adoption and W.I.S.E, taught by Kim Freeman. Kim has adopted 4 children and will talk about raising children with diverse backgrounds, as well as how to help children deal with negative comments about adoption, and how to respond in a way that strengthen their positive adoption identity.

October 20^th, Birth Parent Panel-We’ll hear from some birth parents and be able to ask questions. This is always a wonderful night.

October 27^th, Adoptive Parent panel and FSA service project. First we’ll hear from a panel of parents that have adopted. After the Adoptive Parent Panel we will put together backpacks full of supplies for children being taken into foster care.

All classes will be held from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the LDS Church building located at 11918 Ustick Rd. Boise ID 83713 (On Ustick, East of Cloverdale). We hope to see you all there!

FSA Service Project-The Backpack Project

Boise FSA is doing the Backpack Project for children going into Foster Care as our service project this year. When children go into foster care, many times they do not have any personal belongings with them. We are hoping to put together 25 backpacks that can be given to children going into foster care that will contain personal items they may need. Some items have been donated already but we are still looking for donations for: 13 pairs of socks for teenage boys and girls, 13 pairs of underwear for teenage boys and girls, 13 sticks of deodorant for boys and girls, 26 combs and brushes, 26 packs of gum, and financial donations for the duffle bags (8.50 each=221.00). If you can help, please drop donations off at LDS Family Services or bring donations to the education classes in October. Thanks for your support!

Change of plans!

We had originally planned reserving a church building and broadcasting the keynote speaker at the Family Supporting Adoption National Conference, but we will no longer be doing this. However, the broadcast will be available online after the conference. We hope to be able to get some great ideas for our upcoming trainings in October and we'll share all we learned at the conference then!

FSA Conference ticket give away!

WIN A PAIR OF NATIONAL CONFERENCE TICKETS

The National Conference is quickly approaching.

We thought that with all the excitement of the conference, it would be a great idea to have a blog giveaway!

The National FSA is giving away a PAIR of National Conference tickets to a lucky blog reader ($80 value)!

You might be thinking, "Oh no! I already purchased my tickets!" Don't worry! We will refund you for two of those should you win.

If you would like to enter this giveaway, here is what to do:

Go to http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com/

Follow the directions provided. good luck!

National FSA Conference in Utah!

The time for the National FSA Conference in Utah is rapidly approaching. The following is some information on the conference and how to register (taken directly from http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com). It is a great way to learn more about adoption and fulfill your education hours!

Join us for these great workshops for adoptive couples and families, birth parents and families, and everyone else interested in learning more about adoption:

What Adoptive Children need from their birth parents

How to plan a post-placement life

Step by Step: Pregnancy to Placement

Openness in Adoption, Nurturing Marriage

Adoption Law, Infertility, Life Books,

Attuning to your child, Grief and Healing

Foster to Adopt, Infant bonding, Why FSA?
and many more!!!

To register click http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=966434

Final Parade Information

We have our parade number! We are float number 53! If your family would like to be in the parade, meet on Water Tower Rd. by 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 17th. We'll see you there! Click on the map to see a bigger view.

Dairy Day Parade Information

Come join the parade! Family Supporting Adoption is participating in the Meridian Dairy Days Parade, Friday June 17^th. If your family would like to participate, please meet on Water Tower Rd in Meridian at 6:30 p.m. Look for the Family Supporting Adoption float (We have an awesome sign with a big cow that says “We’re Moooved by Adoption!). Parking may not be super close so come early. The parade is so much fun! Your family can ride on the hay bails on the float or walk along side the float. All ages are welcome! If your family doesn’t want to participate, come watch the parade and cheer us on from the sidelines! We’ll see you there!