Please join us for a comprehensive workshop designed to provide invaluable insights and tools for families embarking on the transformative path of adoption. This workshop places a strong emphasis on adoption competence, including considerations of race, ethnicity, and culture, to ensure that families are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of adoption and foster care.

OBJECTIVES

Cultivate Adoption Competence:
Develop a deep understanding of adoption competence, with a specific focus on race, ethnicity, and culture. Explore the importance of cultural sensitivity in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for both adoptive parents and children.

Navigate the Legal Landscape:
Equip families and professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the legal aspects of kinship and foster care adoption. Gain insights into the adoption process, legal requirements, and best practices to ensure a smooth and informed journey through the adoption system.

Foster Healthy Attachments:
Explore strategies for building and nurturing strong, healthy attachments within adoptive families. Understand the unique dynamics and challenges that may arise during the transition period, and learn effective communication and bonding techniques to foster positive relationships.

Promote Resilience and Support:
Provide tools and resources to help families build resilience throughout the adoption journey. Address common challenges and offer strategies for seeking and providing support, both within the family unit and through external networks. Foster a sense of community among workshop participants to share experiences and insights.

By the end of this workshop, participants will not only be well-versed in the legal and practical aspects of kinship and foster care adoption but will also possess the knowledge and skills to navigate the emotional and cultural dimensions, fostering a strong foundation for their adoptive families.

Kenisha Coon is an individual with a profound lived experience of trauma and resilience within the child welfare system.
Possessing both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Psychology, Kenisha also holds a Post-Masters teaching certificate in Psychology, along with a certifications in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and Equitable and Inclusive leadership. She has 13 years of child welfare experience ranging from prevention to post adoption with a specialty along the way of Adoption in all aspects. This experience includes, international adoption, domestic infant adoption, foster care adoption, adoption assistance, policy, and Legislation.

Kenisha is currently the Permanency Strategic Initiatives and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead with Child Welfare Information Gateway. Her responsibilities include National Adoption Month Initiative lead and permanency endeavors including DEI and Race Equity Work. Before Gateway she was as the DEI Manager at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Service Administration. She continues to stay connected to the child welfare work in the state of Michigan, as a member of the Jackson County Antiracist Transformation Team, facilitating Identity caucusing with a nonprofit that exits to eliminate structural racism and create networks of equitable antiracism institutions and communities. Kenisha leads The Multi Racial Experience which focuses on how to grow one’s identity journey and support biracial/multiracial people.

Kenisha is a graduate of the Minority Professional Leadership Development Program and has collaborated with organizations such as the Children’s Bureau, AdoptUSKids, National Adoption Association, and Families Rising. Her collaborative efforts have focused on fostering racial awareness and equitable training within the child welfare sector. She is an Ujima leader for Black Families with the National Adoption Association. She is currently a Board Member on the National Adoption Association Board of Directors, and a Mentor for a fellow, as well as an ambassador for the Minority Professional Leadership Development program alongside Spaulding and AdoptUsKids.

Kenisha also owns a small business specializing in working with community agencies and small businesses on identifying and building their DEI goals. This has included training and capacity building, strategic planning, identity development and self assessments, and workshops/speaking engagements.