Adoption Forum's PA Conference Pledges Insight, Inspiration

Released on = September 10, 2005, 11:26 pm

Press Release Author = Adoption Forum/Gerry Ciotti

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = Oct. 8 2005 kicks off the 32nd Adoption Forum Conference in King of Prussia PA. With food, fellowship and fun, people affected by adoption and adoption professionals will receive individualized search help, analyze their roles and feelings, enjoy "Sunday Brunch at the Movies" and discussion, and interact with
others who understand what adoption means firsthand.

Press Release Body = PHILADELPHIA - KING OF PRUSSIA, PA -- The much-anticipated 32nd annual Adoption Forum Conference presents a diverse choice of workshops for adopted adults, birthparents, adoptive parents, and professionals. Hosted by the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in King of Prussia, PA, the October 8 and 9, 2005
symposium promises to inspire and to educate.

Keynote speaker Adam Pertman is Executive Director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, a Pulitzer Prize nominee, and an adoptive father. Author of "Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming America" -called "the most important book ever written on the subject"- Mr. Pertman's presentation "Changing
The Media, Changing Minds" addresses the role of the media in the perception of adoption, and opens the conference's first day.

The day's ensuing presenters include Bob Hafetz, author of "Not Remembered, Never Forgotten", PA search specialists, Sue Romberger from PAFind's YahooGroup (http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/pafind) and Carol Chandler from Adoption Forum Pittsburgh, Michelle Atkins PhD, Rita Roitman MSW, David Marion, Ed.D., Mary Grossnickle, author of "A Place in My Heart", Gerry Ciotti, John Ciotti, Judy Horner, and Robert Tomlin. (Biographies of all presenters at http://www.adoptionforum.org/2005presenter.htm)

Day 2, a new optional addition to last year's offerings- is a special informal "Sunday Brunch at the Movies" with a viewing of "Antwone Fisher" and a guided discussion with board-certified psychiatrist Dori Middleman, M.D.

Workshops topics include:

• Supporting The Triad Member During Search, Reunion & Beyond

• Torn Between Two Mothers

• Search One on One: Individualized Search Help

• Safely Exploring Your Hidden Emotions

• The Intersection of Attachment Theory and Adoption

• Birth Fathers: Their Feelings and Issues

• From a Birth Mother’s Perspective

• (Keeping) Secrets and (Telling) Lies

Extra activities include a Friday night Hospitality Suite, Saturday morning Continental Breakfast with registration, Saturday lunch and Silent Auction, and Saturday evening Chartered Shuttle to King of Prussia Malls with special shopping offers for attendees.

Online registration available at http://www.adoptionforum.org/News/conference.htm
with a viewable conference brochure (PDF)

Hotel information and directions at
http://tinyurl.com/9tff2

Established in 1973, Adoption Forum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is recognized throughout Pennsylvania as a group advocating access to records for adult adoptees. Functioning as a group of members united to promote open and honest communication in adoption, Adoption Forum works to educate the public by providing
speakers, an annual conference, and by presenting testimony at legislative hearings. The Forum does not provide treatment, endorse any particular adoption agency nor derive benefit from any referrals. Adoption Forum's purpose is to provide emotional support to all members of the adoption triad: adoptees, biological parents and
adoptive parents and to invite support from adoption professionals and legislators.

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Web Site = http://www.adoptionforum.org

Contact Details = Ms. Gerry Ciotti
Email: g.ciotti@comcast.net
Phone: 610-970-5240
Website: http://www.adoptionforum.org