january01nl

in the past sixteen years. We certainly returned from this experience feeling inspired, with a renewed and refreshed dedication and commitment to our work.

As a staff, we continuously strive to improve our program and are always appreciative of the valuable feedback we receive from families who are currently "Parents-in-Waiting" or who've recently adopted. I want to extend an open invitation to all families in ASA's "Parents-in-Partnership" program to feel free to contact me anytime by phone or email to share your thoughts, ask questions, discuss issues, etc. During the telephone conversations I have with many of you on a regular basis, one of the reoccurring themes expressed in our talks is how difficult the waiting period is… some of you have noted that you would like to have more contact with the ASA staff, even if it's just a quick call or email to "check-in" and let you know that we haven't forgotten about you and that your profile is active.

A few of my priorities for the year ahead to enhance the ongoing communications with you as "Parents-in-Waiting" and provide both encouragement and opportunities for growth and learning about critical issues in the adoption arena through monthly 'newsletters", such as this one. One of my heartfelt goals is to help families use the sometimes stressful 'waiting period' as a positive and meaningful time of preparation, and an important step in their journey of growing and building a family.

Two of the most important ways to prepare yourself for adoption are to read everything you possible can, whether books or magazines, and join an adoption support group in your area. Adoption is something that none of us will ever know everything about, as the critical issues and ideas in the adoption arena are constantly changing and new research is ongoing.

I highly recommend that every family who is considering adoption, waiting to adopt, has already adopted to subscribe to ADOPTIVE FAMILIES magazine. This is an invaluable resource that addresses relevant issues on a monthly basis. The magazine has wonderful feature articles written by adoption professional, adoptive parents and adult adoptees, as well as a section entitled "Growing Up Adopted" which addresses adoption issues faced by children throughout each of their developmental stages. For subscriptions, call 1-800-372-3300. ASA subscribes to this magazine and uses it as a tool to provide continuing education for the staff.

A specific example of the type of issues addressed in this magazine that would be especially relevant to families such as yourselves who are seeking a semi-open adoption can be found in the June 2000 issue. After a prospective birth mother selects an adoptive family for her child, one of the very next steps that occur in the match is the phone call between the two families that begins their relationship.

In the June 2000 issue of ADOPTIVE FAMILIES, an article appears in "The Waiting Game" section of the magazine entitled: Right From The Start: What to ask - and what not to ask - a potential birth mother in your first encounter". It has wonderful examples of ways to begin that important first conversation, and some boundaries to keep in mind, as well.

A subscription to this magazine, or another one like it, would be a wonderful way to provide yourself with ongoing education in the coming year and, if you are a Parent-in-Waiting, make a meaningful use of this period of time. Again, I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year, and look forward to working with you in 2001. Warm Regards,
Denise Garibay
Director of Social Services, ASA

Contact Denise at: dgaribay@adoptionservicesassociates.org