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Education & outreach
Though it is an ancient social process, adoption is often little understood -- or misunderstood. The Adoption Option Committee seeks to be a source of accurate and honest information about adoption. If you are interested in learning more about adoption, or if you have experiences with adoption that you'd like to share, please contact AOCI. Together, we can ensure that people aren't limited by an outdated or incorrect impressions of adoption when making difficult choices.
Adoption Education for Schools and Communities
Adoption Option Speaker Panel.
For 25 years, AOCI has been educating Minnesota communities about the
option of adoption. Educators and students have gained valuable insight
and knowledge about the issue of adoption by inviting Adoption Option Speaker Panels
into their classrooms to discuss this important and often misunderstood
topic. Classroom presentations are suitable for students in 9th to 12th
grades. The panel includes the perspective of birth parents, adoptive
parents, adopted persons, birth grandparents and social workers. To
schedule a presentation for your students, contact Colleen Tronson,
Panel Coordinator.
“In the Know.” AOCI has developed an adoption awareness campaign, called “In the Know,”
aimed at teenagers. Consistent with our mission, the purpose of the
campaign is to foster a positive attitude toward adoption. It is not a
crisis pregnancy-counseling tool. Rather, its upbeat message empowers
and equips teens with accurate information about adoption, as well as
resources, to tap into if they or a friend becomes pregnant. It
encourages teens to get “In the Know” about modern adoption, instead of
assuming that other alternatives, including teen parenting, are the
only choices. A presentation kit provides a PowerPoint, film and brochures to give young people and teachers the tools they need to learn about and discuss adoption as a group. Click here to request a kit and visit itkteens.org.
Adoption Education for Professionals
AOCI provides a variety of free speaking and training programs to help professionals learn more about adoption and how to accurately present this option. These programs benefit crisis pregnancy centers, women's centers, school health professionals, counselors and others who want to confidently discuss adoption with their clients. Contact the AOCI today to learn more.
Here is a recent example of a training session.
Talking with Teens about Adoption
Presented at the May 8, 2009, MOAPPP annual conference
Looking for straightforward and accurate information about adoption? Comprehensive resources and proven methods for helping teens better understand this option will be shared. A birth mother will share her adoption story, and each participant will leave equipped to talk confidently with teens about adoption, as well as share what they know with their co-workers and communities. Data from the University of Minnesota’s ongoing national adoption research program addressing the long-term impact of adoption will also be discussed.
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