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Parenting Through Adoption 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Wheaton College-Wheaton, IL*


PROFESSIONAL PRESENTERS


CAFFA’s 20th Parenting Through Adoption Conference showcases speakers from a wide variety of organizations and backgrounds - many local, and others from across state lines - all with impressive credentials.  We are pleased to introduce them to you:


Ballard, Shelley, Adoption attorney and adoptive mother of 2, with 20+ years experience in all types of adoptions, is a partner in Ballard, Desai & Miller, a law firm practicing exclusively in the area of adoption and reproductive technology law. 
Title: Attorney at Law
Organization: Ballard Desai & Miller
Address: 221 N. La Salle Street, Suite 1136, Chicago, IL  60601
Phone: 312-673-5312
Email: sballard@familybuildinglaw.com
Website: www.familybuildinglaw.com
 
Das, Cherie Jones, LCSW, is the International Adoption Coordinator for Lutheran Child & Family Services and has worked in adoption since 1986.  She has developed training curricula for the Lutheran Adoption and Foster Care Alliance and HATW Culture Camps, and is the adoptive mother of two children.
Title: International Adoption Coordinator
Organization: Lutheran Child and Family Services of IL
Address: 333 West Lake Street, Addison, IL  60101
Phone: 630-628-6448 x223
Email: Cheryl_jones_das@lcfs.org
Website: www.lcfs.org
 
Dischler, Patricia, author of "Because I Loved You: A Birthmother's View of Open Adoption", and national speaker at adoption trainings and conferences, was the recipient of the 2007 Wisconsin Governor’s Award for excellence in the field of child care.
Organization: KIDBIZ Resources
Phone: 608-544-2733
Email: pdischler@wildblue.net
Website: www.patriciadischler.com
 
Dressner, Jill M., Attorney, works with the Special Ed Advocacy Center. She is an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, teaching Special Education Law.
Title: Attorney
Organization: Special Ed Advocacy Center NFP
Address: 1935 South Plum Grove Road, PMB 274, Palatine, IL  60067
Phone: 847-736-8286
Email: seac@specialedadvocacycenter.org
Website: www.specialedadvocacycenter.org
 
Golden, Nancy, LCSW, is the Co-Director, as well as the Clinical Director of Midwest Adoption Center.  Working as a psychotherapist within the adoption community for 20+ years, Nancy has extensive clinical experience with young adoptees & their families.  She provides training & consultation to families and professionals in the Chicagoland area.
Title: LCSW
Organization: Co-Director of Midwest Adoption Center
Address: 2720 River Road, Suite 50, Des Plaines, IL  60018
Phone: 847-298-9096
Email: ngolden@macadopt.org
Website: www.macadopt.org
 
Gott, Kelvin, MA ED Ad. Over 32 years of classroom teaching & fifteen years of parental/teacher consulting, make Mr. Gott one of the most sought after presenters in the Midwest.  The father of four presents humorous stories & poignant examples to highlight his message about responsibility, development of self concept & parenting for the future of your child.
Title: Consultant/Educator
Phone: 815-404-1344
Email: camp.togg@gmail.com
 
Herrera, Kathryn, LCSW, is the Adoption Program Supervisor for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, where she has worked for 16+ years. Kathryn’s adoption related experience includes coordinating international adoption programs, counseling birthparents, and providing home studies & post placement services for adoptive parents & families. 
Title: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Organization: Catholic Charities, the Arch. of Chicago
Address: 651 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL  60661
Phone: 312-655-7087
Email: kherrera@catholiccharities.net
Website:  www.catholiccharities.net
 
Hoffman, Kevin, author of Growing Up Black In White, is a public speaker who has a passion for adoption—especially transracial adoption.  He is an adoption advocate and enjoys sharing his experiences as a biracial transracial adoptee to help other adoptive families.  Hofmann lives with his wife and two sons in Toledo, Ohio.
Title: Consultant In Adoption
Phone: 419-450-5779
Email: Kevin8967@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.kevinhofmann.com
 
Hughes, Michelle, Attorney, focusing on adoption & assisted reproductive technology, is also the co-founder of Bridge Communications, Inc., which specializes in diversity training.  She has been quoted regularly in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times concerning issues of transracial adoption & multiracial identity.
Title: Attorney at Law / Diversity Consultant
Organization: Bridge Communications, Inc.
Address: 221 N. LaSalle Suite 2200, Chicago, IL  60601
Phone: (312) 857-7287
Email: m.hughes@adoptionattorneys.org
Alternate Email:  hughesbridge@mindspring.com
Website:  www.bridgecommunications.org
 
Katch, Jane is a kindergarten teacher. Her third book is Far Away from the Tigers: A Year in the Classroom With Internationally Adopted Children.  Her articles have appeared in The Harvard Educational Review and Educational Leadership. Her classroom was featured in the PBS documentary, Raising Cain.
Title: Teacher and Author
Organization: Touchstone Community School
Phone: 401-725-3214
Email: jkatch@gmail.com
Website: www.janekatch.com
 
Maloney, Sheila A., has been practicing adoption law for 25+ years. She has handled thousands of adoptions, sits on numerous adoption committees, and has helped draft several pieces of legislation affecting Illinois adoptions.
Title: Attorney At Law
Address: 633 Rogers Street, Suite 102, Downers Grove, IL  60515
Phone: 630-570-5050
Email: stmesq@msn.com
Website: www.iladoptionlawyer.com
 
Maniacci, Michael P., PsyD, is a clinical psychologist in practice, with offices in Naperville & Chicago.  He is a published author, consultant, and instructor, as well as a frequent and sought-after presenter. 
Title:  Clinical Psychologist
Organization:  Private Practice
Address: 1555 Naperville/Wheaton Road, Suite 108C, Naperville, IL  60563
Phone:  312-658-1315
 
Mattes, Michelle is an adoptee and enjoys sharing her story with others. She has spoken at several adoption conferences and has facilitated an adoption support group. Mrs. Mattes is currently working on publishing her first children’s book to assist adoptive parents in talking about adoption with their young adoptees.
Phone: 847-515-3921
Email: mmjsmatt@comcast.net
 
McCoy, Krista, MSW, LCSW, is a biracial, transracial adoptee. Krista has been a conference presenter/trainer on issues of foster care/adoption for over 17 years.   She served two terms on the Illinois Adoption Advisory Council and also has extensive experience in the field of mental health, substance abuse, and therapy.
Title: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Phone: 708-889-9440
Alternate Phone:  708-769-6876
Email: krista.mccoy@att.net
 
Morrison, Kathleen Hogan, is a Chicago attorney, concentrating in adoption. She is the Past President of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, was recently selected as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Illinois, and was designated an Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.
Title: Adoption Attorney
Organization: Kathleen Hogan Morrison, P.C.
Address: 70 W. Madison Street, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL  60602
Phone: (312) 977-4477
Email: k.morrison@adoptionattorneys.org
Website: www.chicagoadoptionattorney.com
 
Ochs, Todd J., MD, is a general pediatrician, who has been working with adoptive families, adopted children, and foster children, for the last fourteen years, and is a founding member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Adoption and Foster Care.  He is the adoptive father of four special needs daughters from China.  
Title:  Pediatrician
Organization:  Adoption Pediatrics
Address: 4713 N. Winchester Avenue, Chicago, IL  60640
Phone:  773-907-8864 
Alternate Phone:  773-401-4335
Email:   t-ochs@northwestern.edu
 
Orban, Susan D. has worked in the adoption field for 20+ years and currently works as an Outreach & Education Coordinator for Children's Home Society & Family Services, and has traveled internationally to help families with their adoptions.  Sue is the proud parent of four children, three adopted internationally & one biological.
Title:  Outreach and Education Coordinator
Organization:  Children's Home Society & Family Services 
Address:  8555 16th Street, Suite 600, Silver Spring, MD  20910 
Phone:  301.562.6525 
Email: sorban@chsfs.org
Website: www.chsfs.org  
 
Patton, Denise J., is an adoptive parent and an adoption attorney who devotes her practice to adoption & infertility law.  She is a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and is a member and past chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Adoption Law Committee.  She has successfully completed hundreds of adoptions.
Title: Attorney
Organization: Law Office of Denise J. Patton
Address: 4760 Fairfax Avenue, Palatine, IL  60067
Phone: 847-925-9072
Email: attypatton@aol.com
Website: www.ILAdoptionAttorney.com
 
Radcliff-Koniak, Susan A. MSW, LSW, has worked in the Adoption field for 11 years specializing in international & domestic adoption and working with the foster care system. She and her husband are the parents of three children through international adoption, and have parented foster children and children with special needs.
Title: MSW, LSW, Adoption Social Worker
Organization: Lutheran Child & Family Services
Address: 317 West Main, Belleville, IL  62220
Phone: 618-234-8904
Email: Susan_Koniak@lcfs.org
Website:  www.lcfs.org
 
Sakaeda, April R. is a writer and educator who focuses on anti-racism and social justice.  She speaks and facilitates workshops about racism, Asian American issues and transracial adoption.
Email: multiculturalcompetence@gmail.com
 
Stigger, Judy, LCSW, counsels adopted teens & families. She creates content for www.AdoptionLearningPartner.org an interactive adoption training site, and is an author, national speaker & Angel in Adoption recipient. She has served families for 35+ years, and is a mother to her now-grown special needs & transracially placed children.
Title: Adoption Counselor
Organization: The Cradle & Adoption Learning Partners
Address: 2049 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL  60201
Phone: 847-293-3956
Email: jstigger@cradle.org
Website: adoptionlearningpartners.org; Cradle.org
 
 
Twomney, Vicki, is birthmom to Kevin, 16, placed at birth in an open adoption. She is a case manager at On Your Feet Foundation & an Expectant Mother Counselor, helping pregnant women make adoption plans.  Vicki regularly speaks at adoption related events, in order to help the world better understand a birthmom's selfless act.
Title: Case Manager
Organization: On Your Feet Foundation
Address: 655 Deerfield Road, Ste 100, #264, Deerfield, IL  60015
Phone: 847-433-7820
Alternate Phone: 224-578-1850
Email: oyff7820@aol.com
Alternate Email: twomeyv@beakstar.com
Website: www.oyff.org
 
Wildman, Sally, JD, has focused on adoption law practice for 15+ years.  A member of both American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and Chicago Bar Association Adoption Committee, Ms. Wildman participates in efforts to improve applicable laws based on her clients' experiences.
Title: J.D.
Organization: Law Offices Of Sally Wildman
Address: 200 North LaSalle, Suite 2750, Chicago, IL  60601
Phone: 312-726-9214
Email: loswildman@aol.com
Website: www.SWildmanLaw.com

 
  *This conference is not a function of Wheaton College - all inquiries regarding this event should be directed to CAFFA only-thank you.
 

Chicago Area Families For Adoption
P.O. Box 5995
Naperville, IL 60567-5995
708-79-ADOPT
info@caffa.org