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TN Adoption Support and Preservation's monthly e-newsletter |
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Adoption Support and Preservation (ASAP) provides support for Tennessee's adoptive families. To make a referral, call toll-free 1-888-848-2727, or visit www.tnasap.org.
ASAP Regional Coordinator Contact Information
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Knowing is Half the Battle!
For those of us who grew up in the 80's and were G.I. Joe fans, the phrase, "Knowing is half the battle!" is familiar. But, little did I know while growing up how true this phrase really is. ASAP is trying to help adoptive families win their battles before they begin, through its pre-adopt adoption preparation groups. From ASAP's beginning in 2004, providing post-adoption support, it was clear that having services in place as early as possible in a family's adoption journey would provide the greatest benefit to adoptive children and their new parents and siblings. In 2007, the ASAP staff worked to develop a specialized curriculum, utilizing our therapists' collective knowledge and a comprehensive body of research and data on what works in successful adoptions.
When it comes to preventing problems and making older-child adoptions smoother transitions for everyone involved, knowing really is half the battle. In our pre-adopt groups, parents are asked to explore their motives for fostering and adopting, how they were parented, their feelings about their birth families, and their expectations of the children they will adopt, among other things. Through this self-examination and the educational experience of the group, parents come to know more about themselves and the kids they hope to adopt. These families are winning the battle, by preventing battles they will never have to experience.
The parents who recently attended a 4-week pre-adopt class in Memphis were at all different stages in the adoption process. Some had fostered and adopted for years; others were just beginning. But they all had things in common. They all had a heart for adoption, and they all believed that our class helped them a lot. At the end of the class, participants were asked if they felt better prepared for adoption. Here are a couple of their responses:
"Yes I do, because I learned a lot in the class about the dos and don'ts of adoption."
"It helped us understand the importance of communication..."
If you are thinking about adopting, or even if you've already adopted, consider attending one of ASAP's pre-adopt groups in your area. For more information, call 888-848-2727.
Michael McDonald, LCSW
TN ASAP West Regional Coordinator
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Finding Our Children Unconditional Support (FOCUS)
Each month, ASAP's e-newsletter features a child who is in full guardianship of the state of Tennessee. There are hundreds of unclaimed children in Tennessee who currently have no prospect of a forever family. Our calling is to find families willing to open their hearts and homes to these children. To view this month's featured child, click here. (3.5 minutes in length).
What makes adopting in Tennessee unique? Our Adoption Support & Preservation program - ASAP - is a gift of comprehensive counseling and support services. We will walk with you through the challenges and joys adoption can bring. Will you be the promise of family for one of these children? Please visit www.parentachild.org to learn more about other waiting children in Tennessee.
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Ryan Duprey, MMFT is an ASAP Family Therapist working with Catholic Charities in the Middle Tennessee region. Ryan graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and he received his Master's degree in Marriage Counseling and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University. Ryan began working with children as a Child Care Supervisor at a local day-care center and then moved on to do child testing for UT-Chattanooga's Psychology department. He has worked as a Family, Child, and Adolescents case manager at Mental Health Cooperative in Davidson County, and as a family therapist with a private practice in Lavergne, TN. Ryan has a love of music, and he considers himself to be the only guitar player he knows who doesn't know any songs!
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"There is no right or wrong way to make a Lifebook. Just as each child and her history is unique, so will each Lifebook be one of a kind."
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from NACAC Adoptalk
Summer, 2009
"It can be done. Through consistency, realistic expectations, adequate services and supports, and mutual respect, adoptive parents and their teens can cross the bridge to adulthood with both their relationships and a hopeful future intact!"
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For more information about ASAP Adoptive Family Support Groups in your area, contact:
East Region: Heather Butcher, ASAP Family Advocate -
(865) 356-4848
Mid Region: Brenda McElyea, ASAP Family Advocate -
(615) 352-3087
West Region: Anna Dempsey, ASAP Family Advocate -
(901) 634-8199
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What is ASAP?
ASAP is designed to create and maintain a seamless state-wide system of pre- and post-adoption services in Tennessee. ASAP is an innovative program that supports children and families as they create and maintain connections and access services that support permanency. ASAP is working to develop the capacity of communities across Tennessee to better nurture their adoptive families.
ASAP seeks to increase the availability and accessibility of adoption support services in Tennessee, and to decrease the incidence of disrupted or dissolved adoptions. Motivated by the needs of families and children in all stages of the adoptive process, ASAP offers a comprehensive and coordinated continuum of services.
ASAP is a collaborative project of Harmony Adoptions of East Tennessee, Catholic Charities of Middle Tennessee, and AGAPE Child and Family Services of West Tennessee. ASAP is partnered with DCS for the cooperative implementation and further development of our program.
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