The Children's Bridge

Asian Adoptees of Canada Film Screening / Q&A
2021-05-29 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto)
In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, we are welcoming Peabody Award-Winning Director, Tiffany Hsiung. Her documentary, Sing Me a Lullaby, shares a unique perspective as the child of an adoptee, and her journey to find her biological family lost 40 years ago. It’s a story spanning Canada and Taiwan to find her lost family with only two names written on a napkin.

We’re honoured to welcome Tiffany Hsiung for an exclusive Q&A on Saturday, May 29th. We would love to welcome your members for the chance to view this documentary and speak with the director.

Date: Saturday, May 29, 2021
Time: 2–3pm EST | 11am–12pm PST
Location: Zoom
RSVP: info@asianadoptees.ca
Open to: Adult adoptees, adoptive parents, siblings and youth 14+
Download the flyer HERE.

Thailand Information Session
2021-05-27 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
Important Note:
This information session is delivered via Zoom (live webinar format).
Please ensure that your computer’s operating system is compatible.

This information session will provide you with details about our Thailand Adoption Program.

Targeted participants:

Heterosexual married couples and single applicants in all provinces (except QC).

Have you been thinking about creating or expanding your family through international adoption from the Thailand?

You are at the right place! The Children’s Bridge is pleased to announce a virtual program-specific information sessions designed to provide prospective adoptive applicants with a wealth of information about each adoption program and opportunities for live interaction with our Adoption Program Managers!

This Thailand Adoption Program info session will provide details about:

Program history
Partnership(s)
Program requirements
Child profile
Timelines
Step-by-step process
Trips

If you attended our general information session in the past, please note that this program-specific information session will ONLY be focusing on the Thailand program. If you have not decided which program may be fit for your family situation and profile, we encourage you to attend all program info sessions as it may guide you to determine the country (or countries) of your interest.
REGISTRATION
Download the flyer HERE.

For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our main office: (613) 807-4238 | emily.catton@childrensbridge.com

General Program Information Session
2021-05-13 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
Important Note:
This information session is delivered via Zoom (live webinar format).
Please ensure that your computer’s operating system is compatible.

This Information Session is designed for you to learn about the adoption process from start to finish.

We’ll present information on:

steps in the process
home study
costs
time frames
health and ages of the children
pre and post adoption information

REGISTRATION
Download the flyer HERE.

For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our main office: (613) 807-4238 | emily.catton@childrensbridge.co

India Program Info Session
2021-04-27 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
Important Note:
This information session is delivered via Zoom (live webinar format).
Please ensure that your computer’s operating system is compatible.

Targeted participants:

Heterosexual married couples and single applicants in all provinces (except QC).

Have you been thinking about creating or expanding your family through international adoption from India?

You are at the right place! The Children’s Bridge is pleased to announce a virtual program-specific information sessions designed to provide prospective adoptive applicants with a wealth of information about each adoption program and opportunities for live interaction with our Adoption Program Managers!

This India Adoption Program info session will provide details about:

Program history
Partnership(s)
Program requirements
Child profile
Timelines
Step-by-step process
Trips

If you attended our general information session in the past, please note that this program-specific information session will ONLY be focusing on the India program. If you have not decided which program may be fit for your family situation and profile, we encourage you to attend all program info sessions as it may guide you to determine the country (or countries) of your interest.

REGISTRATION
Download the flyer HERE.
For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our main office: (613) 807-4238 | emily.catton@childrensbridge.com

AdopTALK – Trauma Series
2021-03-13 13:00 - 16:00 | ONLINE
The Children’s Bridge is a federally incorporated non-profit adoption agency in Ontario. The agency has facilitated more than 4500 adoptions for Canadian families over the past several years.

Please join us for our AdopTALK – Trauma Series via Zoom to discuss:

Early Trauma and Neuro-development

DATE: March 13, 2021
TIME: 1 – 4pm
FEE: $113 + Eventbrite fees
Registration/Tickets are available HERE
For more information, please contact us:
(613) 226-2112 | admin@childrensbridge.com
Download Flyer

AdopTALK Parenting Series
2021-02-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2021-02-27 09:00 - 17:00
Please join us for our AdopTALK Parenting Series via Zoom to discuss the following topics:

Transracial and Transcultural Issues in International Adoption
The First Year – Putting the Pieces Together
Early Trauma and Neuro-development
Talking to Your Child About Adoption
Health Matters
Journey of a Lifetime – Trip Preparation

WHEN: February 27 & 28, 2021 | 9AM – 5PM
WHERE: Live Interactive Session via Zoom
Please register via Eventbrite HERE
For more information, please contact us:
(613) 226-2112 | admin@childrensbridge.com

Connect-A-Kid: Games & Crafts
2021-02-21 16:00 - 17:00 | ONLINE
We will email you the zoom link prior to the event.
For more information CLICK HERE | To register, CLICK HERE
or contact Cathy at: cathy@adoption.ca or 613-680-2999 .
Adoption Council of Canada, Connect-A-Kid Program
2249 Carling Avenue, Suite 416, Ottawa, ON K2B 7E9

Connect-A-Kid is open to all adoptees from 6 to 12 years of age.

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) Introduction & Overview
2021-02-20 09:30 - 16:30 | ONLINE
WHERE: Online
WHEN: February 20, 2021
FEE: $100

Introduction to Trust-Based Relational Intervention is a high level overview of trauma informed caregiving. This is six hours of intensive training on February 20, 2021 for caregivers to learn how to support children who have experienced loss and trauma. This course is ideal for individuals who care for children who are adopted, in the foster care system or who have experienced trauma.

Developed by the Karen Purvis Institute of Child Development (ICD), TBRI is holistic, trauma-informed, attachment and evidence based to provide practical strategies for caring for children who have experienced loss and trauma. All research and material is copyright of ICD.

This one day training will be hosted by Sharon Kiers and Sarah McIntyre, the founders of Big Little Heroes. Both Sarah and Sharon have first hand experienced the struggles and joys that caregivers of children who have experienced trauma face. They are passionate about partnering with families who are parenting children who have experienced any form of trauma. We believe that healing is possible, through hard work and investment. We want your child and family to thrive not just survive and enjoy healthy relationships with each other.

Some main concepts that are covered in this training are:

Connecting with your child
Attachment cycle
Responding to difficult behaviors

Once the introduction to TBRI training is complete, participants can dive further into the topics by taking the in-depth training modules.

The course content has been developed by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (ICD) and all research and material is copyright ICD. Sharon Kiers, MSW, RSW, our training facilitator, has studied under the team at ICD, has been certified as a TBRI Practitioner and is licensed to provide this TBRI Caregiver Training.
For more information and to register, click HERE.

How to Adopt from India: Information Session via Zoom
2021-02-02 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
Important Note: This information session is delivered via Zoom (live webinar format).
Please ensure that your computer’s operating system is compatible.

When: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 | 5pm ET
Where: via Zoom
Cost: $30.99
Targeted Participants: Heterosexual married couples and single applicants in all provinces (except QC).

Have you been thinking about creating or expanding your family through international adoption from India?

You are at the right place! The Children’s Bridge is pleased to announce a virtual program-specific information sessions designed to provide prospective adoptive applicants with a wealth of information about each adoption program and opportunities for live interaction with our Adoption Program Managers!

This India Adoption Program info session will provide details about:

Program history
Partnership(s)
Program requirements
Child profile
Timelines
Step-by-step process
Trips

If you attended our general information session in the past, please note that this program-specific information session will ONLY be focusing on the aforementioned program. If you have not decided which program may be fit for your family situation and profile, we encourage you to attend all program info sessions as it may guide you to determine the country (or countries) of your interest.
Please register in advance HERE.
(After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.)
For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our main office:
Tel: (613) 226-2112 | Email: admin@childrensbridge.com

South Korea Adoption Info Session
2021-01-28 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
Important Note: This information session is delivered via Zoom (live webinar format).
Please ensure that your computer’s operating system is compatible.
Have you been thinking about creating or expanding your family through international adoption from South Korea?

You are at the right place! The Children’s Bridge is pleased to announce a virtual program-specific information sessions designed to provide prospective adoptive applicants with a wealth of information about each adoption program and opportunities for live interaction with our Adoption Program Managers!

Cost: $28.25

Targeted participants:

Heterosexual married couples in Ontario.

This South Korea Adoption Program info session will provide details about:

Program history
Partnership(s)
Program requirements
Child profile
Timelines
Step-by-step process
Trips

Please register in advance HERE
If you attended our general information session in the past, please note that this program-specific information session will ONLY be focusing on the South Korea program. If you have not decided which program may be fit for your family situation and profile, we encourage you to attend all program info sessions as it may guide you to determine the country (or countries) of your interest.

For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our main office:

Tel: (613) 226-2112 | Email: admin@childrensbridge.com

USA Adoption Info Session - LGBTQI
2021-01-26 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
Important Note: This information session is delivered via Zoom (live webinar format).
Please ensure that your computer’s operating system is compatible.
Have you been thinking about creating or expanding your family through international adoption from the United States?

You are at the right place! The Children’s Bridge is pleased to announce a virtual program-specific information sessions designed to provide prospective adoptive applicants with a wealth of information about each adoption program and opportunities for live interaction with our Adoption Program Managers!

Cost: $28.25

Targeted participants:

Same-sex married and common-law couples in all provinces, except for QC, BC, and AB.
Single LGBTQI+ applicants may also be eligible for the program.

This USA (HAI) Adoption Program info session will provide details about:

Program history
Partnership(s)
Program requirements
Child profile
Timelines
Step-by-step process
Trips

Please register in advance HERE
If you attended our general information session in the past, please note that this program-specific information session will ONLY be focusing on the USA (HAI) program. If you have not decided which program may be fit for your family situation and profile, we encourage you to attend all program info sessions as it may guide you to determine the country (or countries) of your interest.

For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our main office:

Tel: (613) 226-2112 | Email: admin@childrensbridge.com

USA Adoption Info Session
2021-01-25 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
Important Note: This information session is delivered via Zoom (live webinar format).
Please ensure that your computer’s operating system is compatible.
Have you been thinking about creating or expanding your family through international adoption from the United States?

You are at the right place! The Children’s Bridge is pleased to announce a virtual program-specific information sessions designed to provide prospective adoptive applicants with a wealth of information about each adoption program and opportunities for live interaction with our Adoption Program Managers!

Cost: $28.25

Targeted participants:

Married/common-law couples and single applicants, transgender couples and same sex applicants

This USA Adoption Program info session will provide details about:

Program history
Partnership(s)
Program requirements
Child profile
Timelines
Step-by-step process
Trips

Please register in advance HERE
If you attended our general information session in the past, please note that this program-specific information session will ONLY be focusing on the USA (ACF) program. If you have not decided which program may be fit for your family situation and profile, we encourage you to attend all program info sessions as it may guide you to determine the country (or countries) of your interest.

For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our main office:

Tel: (613) 226-2112 | Email: admin@childrensbridge.com

Thailand Adoption Info Session
2021-01-19 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
Important Note: This information session is delivered via Zoom (live webinar format).
Please ensure that your computer’s operating system is compatible.

Have you been thinking about creating or expanding your family through international adoption from Thailand?

You are at the right place! The Children’s Bridge is pleased to announce a virtual program-specific information sessions designed to provide prospective adoptive applicants with a wealth of information about each adoption program and opportunities for live interaction with our Adoption Program Managers!

Cost: $28.25

Targeted participants:

Heterosexual married couples and single applicants in all provinces (except QC).

This Thailand Adoption Program info session will provide details about:

Program history
Partnership(s)
Program requirements
Child profile
Timelines
Step-by-step process
Trips

Please register in advance HERE
If you attended our general information session in the past, please note that this program-specific information session will ONLY be focusing on the Thailand program. If you have not decided which program may be fit for your family situation and profile, we encourage you to attend all program info sessions as it may guide you to determine the country (or countries) of your interest.

For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our main office:

Tel: (613) 226-2112 | Email: admin@childrensbridge.com

Connect-A-Kid: Games & Painting
2021-01-03 16:00 - 17:00 | ONLINE
Games & Painting
Come join us and reconnect with your friends and mentors! Connect-A-Kid is a Team based mentorship program for adopted children, devoted to connecting the adoption community through mentorship, embracing cultural diversity and celebrating adoption.

Date: Sunday January 3, 2021
Time: 4 – 5 pm

This is a virtual event and we will email you the zoom link prior to the event.
(watercolour paint set and watercolour paper will be supplied)
For more information or to register, CLICK HERE
or contact Cathy at: cathy@adoption.ca or 613-680-2999 .
Adoption Council of Canada, Connect-A-Kid Program
2249 Carling Avenue, Suite 416, Ottawa, ON K2B 7E9

Connect-A-Kid is open to all adoptees from 6 to 12 years of age.

General Information Session
2020-12-01 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
The Children’s Bridge is holding a General Information Session via Zoom and you’re invited!

Join us to learn about all of our options for intercountry adoption.

Cost: FREE
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 1
Time: 5 – 6:30pm

Please register in advance HERE

Social Justice & Allyship for Pre-Adoptive Parents of BIPOC Kids
2020-11-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-11-11 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-10-28 19:00 - 21:00 | ONLINE
A 5-part anti-racism series designed for pre-adoptive parents of BIPOC kids
About this Event

Throughout the last few months, a new lens has been shown on the persistent, dehumanizing racism faced by BIPOC throughout the world, but most notably in North America.

If you’re a pre-adoptive or prospective adoptive parent considering adoption transracially (parenting a child of a different race than your own), you may be wondering how to think about these incidents or talk to your future child about them. You may be wondering if adopting transracially is the right decision for you and your family or considering how best to be prepared to be an anti-racist parent and raise anti-racist children.

This five-part series will:

educate you on social justice and allyship,
guide you through owning your role and responsibility as the future parent of a BIPOC child,
discuss how to show up as an anti-racist advocate in your life, family, and community,
provide insight on how to shape your future child’s life and community as one that is anti-racist and inclusive, and
have conversations with your child, family, and community about social justice, human rights and the history of adoption.

COST:

$450 + taxes per family (maximum two participants per family)
$400 + taxes per person

A resource list and study materials will be distributed via a secure link.

SCHEDULE:

All times in Eastern Time (ET)
Every other Wednesday (September 30, October 14, 28, November 11, 25) | 7 – 9pm

FACILITATORS:

Kara Eusebio, MPA and Karyn Arnauld-Bakelaar, M.A. Click HERE to meet your facilitators.

VIEW FLYER
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

The Children’s Bridge Annual General Meeting
2020-11-21 13:00 - 15:00
The Children’s Bridge Annual General Meeting will be held November 21, 2020 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm via Zoom. The AGM is open to all members of The Children’s Bridge. To vote at the meeting you must have an active CB membership. A proxy voting form can be found HERE.
There is no cost to attend the meeting, and attendees will receive the link to the meeting by registering through Eventbrite HERE.
Nominations for the Board of Directors are welcomed and can be sent to Andy Thompson at andy.thompson@childrensbridge.com.

Social Justice & Allyship: A Five-Part Anti-Racism Series for Adoption Professionals
2020-11-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-11-04 19:00 - 21:00, 2020-10-21 19:00 - 21:00 | ONLINE
Joins us for this 5-part anti-racism series for adoption professionals.
This course was developed specifically for adoption professionals including adoption practitioners, adoption consultants, adoption doulas, and anyone working in adoption with families adopting transracially.

It is designed to:

Educate you on social justice issues in relation to child welfare/adoption;
Guide you through challenging the adoption narrative;
Help you uncover the racism inherent in adoption and provide real tools to actively dismantle it;
Discuss ages and stages of development and actions anti-racist parents can take;
Provide guidance to families on how to shape their child’s community as one that is anti-racist and inclusive.

WHEN: Every other Wednesday via Zoom (Sept. 23, Oct. 7, 21, Nov. 4, 18) | 7 – 9 pm

COST: $450 + taxes (A resource list and study materials will be distributed via a secure link.)

FACILITATORS: Kara Eusebio, MPA and Karyn Arnauld-Bakelaar, M.A. Click HERE to meet your facilitators.

VIEW FLYER
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Connect-A-Kid: Games & Show-and-Tell
2020-11-15 15:00 - 17:00 | ONLINE
Games & Show-and-Tell
Come join us and reconnect with your friends and mentors! Connect-A-Kid is a Team based mentorship program for adopted children, devoted to connecting the adoption community through mentorship, embracing cultural diversity and celebrating adoption.

Date: Sunday November 15, 2020
Time: 3 – 5 pm

This is a virtual event and we will email you the zoom link prior to the event.
For more information or to register, CLICK HERE
or contact Cathy at: cathy@adoption.ca or 613-680-2999 .
Adoption Council of Canada, Connect-A-Kid Program
2249 Carling Avenue, Suite 416, Ottawa, ON K2B 7E9

Connect-A-Kid is open to all adoptees from 6 to 12 years of age.

Educational Seminar – beyond PRIDE: Preparing your hearts and your lives for your new child
2020-11-14 09:30 - 15:30 | ONLINE
LIVE stream online – Saturday, November 14th, 2020
The goal of this educational seminar is to provide a framework for the next stage of your adoption process – beyond PRIDE.
Topics include:

Adjustments of children: food, language, sleeping, other children in the home, your extended family, pets;
Understanding open adoption relationships (or considerations if no contact);
Issues related to mixed racial adoptions; how to talk to your child about adoption; positive adoption language;
How to answer questions from family and friends;
Guest speakers, including adult adoptees; adoptive parents, birth mother, etc.

9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. $125/person.
View flyer for details
For further information and to register, contact:
Sofie Stergianis
adoption@rogers.com | 416-483-0003
www.adoptioneducation.ca

India Adoption Program (Virtual) Information Session
2020-11-02 17:00 - 18:30 | ONLINE
Have you been thinking about creating or expanding your family through international adoption from India?
You’re in the right place! The Children’s Bridge is pleased to announce a virtual program-specific information sessions designed to provide prospective adoptive applicants with a wealth of information about each adoption program and opportunities for live interaction with our Adoption Program Managers.

Date:
Monday, Nov. 2 | 5 – 6:30pm

Cost:
$25

Targeted participants:
Heterosexual married couples and single applicants in all provinces (except QC.)

This India Adoption Program info session will provide details about:

Program history
Partnership(s)
Program requirements
Child profile
Timelines
Step-by-step process
Trips

If you attended our general information session in the past, please note that this program-specific information session will ONLY be focusing on the India Adoption program. If you have not decided which program may be fit for your family situation and profile, we encourage you to attend an all-program info session as it may guide you to determine the country (or countries) of your interest.
Registration is required and can be done so HERE.
For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our main office:

Tel: (613) 226-2112 |Email: admin@childrensbridge.com

ACO Live Webinar: Adoption & Adulthood - The Journey Continues
2020-10-29 19:00 - 20:30 | ONLINE
Adoption & The Adult Adoptee with Dianne Mathes R.S.W. Adult Adoptee, Therapist, ED Adoption Council of Ontario

Recommended Audience:Adoptees, parents, partners and the community who wants to connect with and support.

Goals: During this 2-hour webinar, Dianne explores the lifelong journey of the adoptee. This webinar focuses on understanding the history, experience and core issues that exist and impact the adult adoptee and how they may “play” at various stages of life stages and phases. The adult adopted person is often hindered in addressing and thus resolving these issues for a combination of reasons. A key focus is what adults who are adopted need to move from coping, longing and surviving to solidly knowing who they are and how to thrive in that knowing and being in the world.

Objectives:

Learn about and understand the lens of adoption and what it means
Integrate an understanding for yourself of how that lens was shaped for you by history and cultural beliefs
Learn what is missing and how missing pieces of your story can leave you at “don’t know points” in your life and journey
Explore the core issues in adoption and the duality that they can create in life phases
Learn the thoughts, feelings, experiences and perceptions that can occur and the importance of having them recognized, acknowledged and cared for
Understand how the issues of loss, grief and abandonment can emerge at stages and phases of life
Explore how the issues of shame and control play in your life and may be hidden even from you
Learn about the steps and stages of healing from adoption trauma and its role in your life

Register for free HERE

ACO Live Webinar: FASD
2020-10-28 19:00 - 21:00 | ONLINE
Recommended Audience:

Prospective and adoptive families and the professionals who work with them

New FASD with Judy Archer, MSW, RSW
*This is an introductory session for people who are just learning about FASD.
Our new webinar on prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs with Judy Archer, Adoption Counsellor and Consultant, will provide a comprehensive introduction to information about prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs that is critical for adoptive parents to consider when parenting or planning to parent a child by adoption.
Goals: Raise awareness about the lifelong impact of FASD as well as tools, strategies and resources for optimizing the child’s adaptive functioning.
Objectives: By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

Put FASD into context by explaining the extent of alcohol consumption in Canada
Pinpoint contributors to and symptoms of FASD: primary and secondary
Summarize the new diagnostic guidelines for FASD
Explain lifelong implications and realities of living with a brain-based disability
List strengths of children with FASD
Describe contributors to adaptive functioning in children with FASD
Identify formal and informal supports available to parents of children with a history of prenatal exposure to FASD

Register for free HERE

ACO Live Webinar: ACEs & Developmental Trauma Part 2 - Healing Through Adoption & Permanency Journeys
2020-10-26 19:00 - 20:30 | ONLINE
ACEs & Developmental Trauma Part 2: Healing Through Adoption & Permanency Journeys with Kathy Soden & Sylvia Gibbons, Adoption Council of Ontario PACT Team & DTAA Members and Dianne Mathes, Executive Director of the Adoption Council of Ontario

Recommended audience: pre-adoptive families, adoptive, kinship and customary care families, adult adoptees and the professionals who support those on adoption and permanency journeys

Objectives:

focus on the understanding of developmental trauma through the lens and core issues of adoption and permanency journeys
emphasize the importance of truly understanding children, youth and adults and their “internal working models”, so that parenting, child welfare work and therapeutic interventions can be set up for success
expand on the introductory discussion of prevention and healing from part 1 and address what can help children, youth and adults who have been impacted by developmental trauma from the perspective of:

pre-adoptive families
adoptive, kinship & customary care families
adult adoptees
professionals

address the importance of understanding developmental trauma and the lens of adoption by all of the systems (child welfare, education, health – physical and mental, family law, justice, etc) that work with people and families on adoption and permanency journeys
provide relevant resources and further learning opportunities

Register for free HERE

Connect-A-Kid: Games & Zoom Scavenger Hunt
2020-10-25 16:00 - 17:00 | ONLINE
Games & Zoom Scavenger Hunt
Come join us and reconnect with your friends and mentors! Connect-A-Kid is a Team based mentorship program for adopted children, devoted to connecting the adoption community through mentorship, embracing cultural diversity and celebrating adoption.

Date: Sunday October 5, 2020
Time: 4 – 5 pm

This is a virtual event and we will email you the zoom link prior to the event.
For more information or to register, CLICK HERE
or contact Cathy at: cathy@adoption.ca or 613-680-2999 .
Adoption Council of Canada, Connect-A-Kid Program
2249 Carling Avenue, Suite 416, Ottawa, ON K2B 7E9

Connect-A-Kid is open to all adoptees from 6 to 12 years of age.
