Author, Kristin Berry is an adoptive mother of eight, and former foster parent of 23 children over a 9-year span. She is the co-creator of the award-winning blog Confessions of an Adoptive Parent which reaches more than 100,000 readers around the globe every month. She travels extensively throughout the year sharing hope with foster, adoptive, and special needs parents around the country.
Kristin, and husband Mike, believe in the restoration and preservation of families but recognize that sometimes children cannot thrive within their family of origin. They desire to lend resources and encouragement to families who need support. All children deserve permanency and stability in a forever family. They believe that with support, foster and adoptive parents can guide our families toward healing, security, and healthy identity.
Ronna Johnson is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who has spent the past 38 years providing training, support, consultation, and case management services to promote best care for at risk children with complex health and development needs. She has provided these services through the Child Protection System since 1986. Ronna has been a foster and adoptive parent since 1994 and is also a kinship caregiver. Ronna is passionate about empowering caregivers to connect with their children and become their fiercest advocates! She currently works with Moms in recovery and their young children, supporting their ability to overcome trauma and adversity to help themselves and their children become resilient.
Maureen Heffernan, LISW, is an independent child welfare consultant. She earned a Master of Social Work from Case Western Reserve University in 1976 and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Kent State University in 1976. She worked in Ohio public and private child welfare agencies for approximately 25 years, holding direct service, supervision and management positions. She is a contract consultant for organizations providing child-welfare technical assistance to government jurisdictions and an adjunct instructor for social work graduate students. Maureen is a Licensed Independent Social Worker.
Arwen John, along with her husband Ribu, are former foster parents. They have adopted four children, all of whom have experienced complex trauma and have invisible disabilities. Arwen was a foster child as a teenager, and draws on her experiences to advocate for children and families. She is currently attending the University of
Akron in order to complete a Bachelor’s degree
in social work.
Brian and Becky Pinkerton are currently foster parents. They have adopted one child and have had seven foster placements for children with various complex needs.
An Adoptive Journey - Trauma, Trends and Moving Forward
Kristin Berry shares the adoption story and lessons learned by her adoptive family. Her journey includes the realization that one of their amazing children had brain damage before birth. Dealing with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder left this committed family exhausted, isolated and sometimes feelings of hopelessness. This keynote address will include a panel of adoptive/foster parents and professionals to discuss practical ways to build partnership and will share expertise on dealing with trauma and how to move forward with renewed hope when parenting adoptive/foster children.
The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program is an Approved Provider of licensing hours through the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board. OCWTP programs designated as approved for licensure credit hours can be used by licensees towards license renewal requirements. Only individuals completing training in its entirety will receive Certificates of Training.
Social worker Approved Provider #RSX088728.
Counselor Approved Provider #RCX039201.
Participants cannot use the same workshop to satisfy renewal requirements for both.
Each session is approved for 2.75 hours for Counselors and Social Workers. Full day participation meets the ODJFS two year requirement for assessors.
Additionally, licensed foster parents receive a certificate for three hours of continuing education training.
Barbara Lewis Roberts Mentoring Series
and NOAS...
Founded by Barbara Lewis Roberts, NOAS is a specialized agency, with 40 years of experience committed to providing adoption and foster care services for children with special needs, NOAS has placed 1,300 children in adoptive homes and has served many other through therapeutic foster care. Many of these children are school-aged, some are brothers and sisters, and others are children who have physical, developmental, or emotional needs.
The Barbara Lewis Mentoring Series is made possible by the Lewis Roberts Foundation. It was Barbara’s strong belief that every child deserves a family.