Adoption Workshops/Information Seminars
In an effort to serve as a continued source of education and support for adoptive families and others interested in adoption, St. Mary's hosts a series of adoption workshops and information seminars.
All seminars are open to the public and pre-registration is required. Programs are not appropriate for children and babysitting services are not available. One credit is given per seminar hour attended.
There is a $20 per person fee, to be paid in advance and is non-refundable. This fee does not apply to families that have been accepted into St. Mary's domestic and international programs. Please make checks payable to “St. Mary's Services” and send to the agency at:
717 West Kirchhoff Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
To register, call 1-888-ST-MARYS or email canselmo@stmaryservices.com, or visit our online registration page.
Upcoming Adoption Workshops/Information Seminars:
2013 - 2014 Seminars
Birth and Adoptive Families Panel
Saturday, July 13, 2013
9 a.m. to Noon
St. Simon's Episcopal Church Parish Hall
717 W. Kirchhoff Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL
Listen to a panel of birth families and adoptive parents who currently are participating in adoptions that range in levels of openness. Topics will include discussion of the emotions involved in placing a child and the grieving process that birth parents experience. Adoptive parents will share stories of their relationships with birth parents, how they’ve evolved, keys to maintaining healthy relationships and things to avoid.
Becoming a Transracial Adoptive Family
Saturday, August 17, 2013
9 a.m. to Noon
St. Andrew’s Church Parish Hall
1125 Franklin St.
Downers Grove, IL
The seminar, led by Michaelyn Sloan, MSEd, adoption professional and adoptive parent, will use lecture and panel discussion to teach how transracial adoptive families get to experience the joy of parenting in their own special way. In addition to Michaelyn’s lecture, transracial families will share their experiences, and help parents learn how to respond to intrusive comments and questions in different ways. The seminar also will help parents understand how the adoptee's identity changes as the adoptee ages and how to address the child's questions and concerns with age appropriate answers.
Effects of Prenatal Substance Exposure on the Developing Fetus and Managing Behaviors
Saturday, September 7, 2013
9 a.m. to Noon
St. Simon's Episcopal Church Parish Hall
717 W. Kirchhoff Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL
Dr. Dan Griffith, a licensed clinical pediatric psychologist, will speak about the effects prenatal substance and alcohol exposure have on the developing child. He also will discuss managing children’s behaviors at different developmental stages.
Mental Health and Your Adopted Child
Saturday, September 21, 2013
9 a.m. to Noon
St. Simon's Episcopal Church Parish Hall
717 W. Kirchhoff Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL
Dr. Michael Maniacci, a licensed clinical psychologist and published author, will discuss Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and symptoms of each. He also will talk about the role that nature and nurture play in mental illness.
Talking to Your Child About Adoption at Different Developmental Stages
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
St. Simon's Episcopal Church Parish Hall
717 W. Kirchhoff Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL
Join Kay Holler, LCSW, therapist and adoptive parent, as she discusses how to approach the topic of adoption with children, and addresses common questions children ask their parents about adoption at the different stages of their development.
Legal Considerations for Adoption
Saturday, January 25, 2014
10 a.m. to Noon
St. Simon's Episcopal Church Parish Hall
717 W. Kirchhoff Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL
Kathleen Hogan-Morrison, adoption attorney, will provide adoptive families with an overview of the legal process regarding adoption. She also will share information and considerations that adoptive families should know throughout their adoption journey, including insights about legalities regarding the actual adoption process.
Birth and Adoptive Families Panel
Saturday, February 22, 2014
9 a.m. to Noon
St. Simon's Episcopal Church Parish Hall
717 W. Kirchhoff Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL
Listen to a panel of birth families and adoptive parents who currently are participating in adoptions that range in levels of openness. Topics will include discussion of the emotions involved in placing a child and the grieving process that birth parents experience. Adoptive parents will share stories of their relationships with birth parents, how they’ve evolved, keys to maintaining healthy relationships and things to avoid.
Effects of Prenatal Substance Exposure on the Developing Fetus and Managing Behaviors
Saturday, March 8, 2014
9 a.m. to Noon
St. Simon's Episcopal Church Parish Hall
717 W. Kirchhoff Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL
Dr. Dan Griffith, a licensed clinical pediatric psychologist, will speak about the effects prenatal substance and alcohol exposure have on the developing child. He also will discuss managing children’s behaviors at different developmental stages.