Adoption Classes

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) requires families to participate in six hours of education and training prior to issuing a Foster Family Home License (FFHL) and a total of 16 hours for each licensed parent over the four-year duration of the license. FRC requires new participants in our Traditional Adoption Program to attend a structured curriculum of FRC courses, offered several times a year, which examine critical issues in domestic adoption.

Training for International Adoptions - Regulations for adoptive parent training respective to the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000, requires a minimum of 10 hours of training before a family can have any contact with the child. Families shall not travel to the child's country of origin to "view" or "select" a child until they have completed 10 hours of training (12 hours of training for prospective adoptive parents pursuing an adoption from China). 

Note to all individuals planning on attending FRC classes.
You must pre-register to attend any class. We are asking you to do this for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: inclement weather, low enrollment, or difficulties that the instructor may have. Therefore, please provide detailed contact information so that FRC may notify you if a class is cancelled. If you do not register and you show up at a class that is cancelled, FRC will regret not having been able to inform you and cannot be held responsible.

All seminars are open to the public and pre-registration is required. Register below or by calling (773) 334-2300.  If you register online, please arrive 15 minutes early and bring payment (cash or check accepted, payable to “Family Resource Center”).

Fees: $25 per person per workshop;
$15 for second family member; non-refundable.
This fee does not apply to families that have applied to FRC or FRC Alumni.

Unless otherwise noted, baby-sitting is not available as programs are not appropriate for children. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this matter.

Upcoming Adoption Classes

Race and Adoption

Many Caucasian families either have adopted a child or are considering adopting a child who is some part African-American.  When taking into account the role of race in our society this invariably raises questions and concerns.  Many adoptive families begin this journey without the benefit of having had an opportunity to hear individuals (adult adoptees and adoptive parents) talk about their experience with trans-racial adoption.  This presentation is comprised of a panel which includes individuals who were adopted into Caucasian or part-Caucasian families and adoptive parents who have adopted African-American children.  Panelists will share individual insights and experiences and respond to questions from the audience.  Particular attention will be focused on assisting with understanding the kinds of cross-cultural issues that sometimes arise in these kinds of adoptions and things that parents can do to help themselves and their children in functioning at their best.

Saturday, February 18, 2012  01:00 PM - 03:00 PM  Register Today

Talking to Children about Adoption from the Adult Adoptee's Perspective

What does adoption look like through the lens of someone who was adopted?  How does someone who was adopted suggest talking to children about adoption? This class is conducted with a panel of adults who were adopted as children.  The panelists discuss their lives, the history of their memories about adoption; when they were told, how they were told, and what they thought and felt about being adopted.  Usually the panel consists of individuals who were adopted domestically (and from time to time we will have a panelist who was adopted overseas).  The moderator will pose specific questions and assist in bringing to the fore salient aspects of the panelist’s experience.  The panel will also turn to materials written about the adoption experience by “experts” and comment of the validity of those writing from their own perspective and experience. This session is most appropriate for potential adoptive parents and adoptive parents of infants and young children.

Sunday, March 11, 2012  02:00 PM - 04:00 PM  Register Today

A Birth Parent Panel: Adoption from Birth Parents Perspective

This is a moderated panel discussion.  The panel is comprised of birth parents that have placed children for adoption.  Panelists will discuss their personal experience with adoption and address topics that they consider important and that are raised by the moderator.  Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions and reconsider already existing beliefs about what birth parents are thinking when they initially consider placing a child for adoption – and what they think and feel before, during and following placement.  Relationships with adoptive parents, thoughts about and opportunities for communication between birth parents and adoptive families will be addressed. 

Sunday, March 25, 2012  01:00 PM - 03:00 PM  Register Today

Domestic Adoption and Illinois Law

Attorney Kathleen Hogan Morrison will discuss the steps that prospective adoptive parents should take to achieve a safe and legal adoption. Discussion will focus on the legal issues in adoption, which include proper preparation, termination of parental rights, limiting legal risk, applicable Illinois and federal law, the process of doing an Illinois adoption, and the complications of an interstate adoption. 

Tuesday, April 17, 2012  06:30 PM - 08:30 PM  Register Today

FRC Adoption Courses are presented by FRC staff and outside experts.  Some additional seminar topics include:

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