This 2 hour course is for both pre- and post-adoptive parents.  Presenters go beyond discussing various types of special needs and delve into how how caring for a child with special needs impacts different aspects of the whole family.  Different types of resources are examined and participants will begin to discern which resources might be best for their family.  Most importantly, the course walks parents through building their own individualized parenting plan with local and national resources.

The topic of talking to children about adoption is one of the most requested by adoptive parents!  This 2 hour course guides parents through a process of "following the questions".  Delve in to the idea of message sending about adoption from a broad societal lens, consider it then in terms of your own unique family, and then get down to the "nitty gritty" specifics of talking to your child about adoption.

This 1/2 hour course is an introduction to adoption and is geared to those considering or just beginning the adoption process.  Compare and contrast the different types of adoption and consider your own motivations to adopt as a part of deciding what type of adoption is best for your family.

Our cornerstone course, the Because They Waited™ education system is online with modules covering topics pertinent to individuals adopting a baby or an older child, internationally or through foster care.  Modules present "The Science" in a user friendly format, followed by "The Parenting" which offers concrete parenting tools and finally, "Wrap Up, Review and Resources" and  provides 10 hours of Hague compatible education.

Because They Waited does more than just help families fulfill necessary requirements prior to adopting.  Many seasoned parents also find the system to be an invaluable resource that goes beyond adoption preparation and meets parenting challenges head on.

Topics include determining a child's eligibility for adoption, race and culture issues specific to Chinese adoptions, common medical concerns, transitioning a child home and more.  Your purchase provides access for two parents to receive certificates of completion for 1 hour of training.

China Adoption Package

Chinese adoption regulations require families to obtain a total of 12 hours of education.  Click here to learn more about our 12 hour China specific package.

This 1 hour course addresses topics pertinent to families adopting from African countries.  Topics include determining a child's eligibility for adoption, race and culture issues specific to African adoptions, transitioning a child home and more.

This 1 hour course addresses topics pertinent to families adopting from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other East European countries.  Topics include the adoption process, race and culture issues specific to East European adoptions, common medical issues, transitioning a child home and more.

This 1 hour course addresses topics such as transitioning a child home, sorting out "regular kid stuff" from adoption related concerns and ideas for parenting all of these.

This one hour course is designed for parents and agency staff. Learn parental responses that help with the prevention of power struggles and management techniques for exiting the power struggles we slip into.

Explore the concepts of race and culture and it relates to adoption and foster care. This one hour course, included in the Because They Waited education system, discusses topics such as addressing racism, looking at culture in terms of larger culture and sub-cultures, talking with your child about race and culture, white privilege and more.

This 2 hour course examines openness in adoption.    The course considers openness from the viewpoints of adoptive parents, birth parents, adoption professionals, and adult adoptees.  It addresses both theoretical and practical aspects of openness in adoption.  Participants explore what open adoption might look like before and after the adoption, the individual nature of openness, benefits, challenges, and more.

This upgrade is for professionals who have already registered for the Because They Waited™ education system and wish to upgrade their certificate to include the NASW endorsement.  The Because They Waited system has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers (provider #886473588) for 10 continuing education contact hours.