[Christine25dec]

ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE CONFERENCE IN ROCHESTER / UPSTATE NY: FEATURED SESSIONS INCLUDE ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE AS A MEANS TO BUILD FAMILIES

On Saturday, November 9th, the Adoption Resource Network
is holding its 11th annual Adoption & Foster Care Conference.
Over 400+ people each year participate in activities that
will feature national speakers including Adam Pertman (author
of "Adoption Nation") with experts in all areas of adoption:
including pre-adoption planning, post-adoptive counseling,
legal services and adoption agency exhibitors.
Over 40 workshop sessions will include wide ranging options:
from international and domestic adoptions,
infant & older children adoption,
counseling considerations for parents and
adopted children. Also featured will be details
on expansion of the adoption tax credit to $10,000
toward
qualified adoption expenses, beginning with the 2002 tax year.
Community members wishing to know more about
Adoption or Foster Care in the Rochester / Upstate NY area:
visit www.arni.org or contact ARNI at (585) 924-5295,
or e-mail replies or inquiries to: info@arni.org
* Saturday, November 9th 8am-5pm
* Bay Trail Middle School, in the suburb of Penfield, NY
(take I-590
to Browncroft, corner of Atlantic & Scribner)
Adoption Resource Network, Inc. (ARNI) is a non-profit, grassroots organization founded by two local women as they searched for information when building their families through adoption. Now in it's 11th year, ARNI develops and provides on-going information and education on all aspects of adoption and foster care. ARNI's works are based on the overriding goals of: Putting children in families, and ensuring they thrive and grow together as forever families. These efforts have raised awareness about the tens of thousands of children in need of permanent, safe and loving homes, and their work to eliminate the barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic need for a loving and stable family. This includes support and advocacy to grow opportunities for diverse families to become parents. Over 3,000 individuals in 2001 joined in the annual Adoption & Foster Care Conference, workshops, school presentations and professional development seminars for experts in the adoption community. ARNI also delivers programs through services in partnership with the Monroe County Dept. of Social Services. They collaborate with many family services organizations: such as a Birthmother Support Network with Highland Hospitals' Center for Women, Hillside Children's Centers, Ibero-American Action League, the Strong Museum, Family Service of Rochester, Families with Children from China/Vietnam, Catholic Family Services, Jewish Family Services and 45 other adoption service providers and local parent support groups.