8 AM - Registration and Adoption Resource Gallery Open; Continental breakfast (included)

9 AM - Opening Session with George Clerie, Adoptive Dad and Pastor

10:45 AM - Educational Tracks

1. Panel Discussion: HIS Stories - Facilitated by Sarah Jensen, Adoption Center of San Diego
   This panel discussion will offer great insight for people interested in adoption or to those who have adopted.
   Jeff Detrow, adoptive dad and co-host of Jeff and Jer Showgram on KyXy
   Nancy Staycer, adoptee, adoptive mom, and therapist
   Mike Reed, adoptive dad and Pastor of Calvary Chapel Oceanside
   Tiffany Mitchel Benninger, Birthmother
2. What Does Being Adopted Say About Me? Pre-Teen and Teen Workshop - Facilitated by Kathryn deBruin, MFT, Private Practice
   This breakout session will focus on giving your adopted pre-teen and teenager the benefit of a supportive environment with peers and a therapist to talk about adoption. Children ages 8-12 and ages 13-18 will be divided into different groups. Groups will participate in an art therapy project that will focus on how adoption has influenced their lives and how it contributes to who they are today. This is a time to celebrate their adoption and to integrate this into their identity in a healthy way as they are starting to figure out who they are and what's important to them.  

12 PM - Lunch (included)

1 PM - Educational Tracks

1. Open Your Heart to a Foster Child - Presented by Vanessa Vasquez, Olive Crest Foster and Adoption Services, National Director for Orphan Sunday
   Our “experts” are our foster families so Olive Crest has invited a family to share their story of adopting from the foster care system. Along with professional input, you’ll hear how children have been rescued and restored through Christ’s faithful love.
2. Independent Adoption - Presented by Sarah Jensen, Adoption Center of San Diego
   Are there healthy babies available? Does it take years to adopt? What’s Open Adoption? We’ll discuss the myths and misunderstandings and hopefully, dispel some of your fears about adoption as we help to guide you through “road map” of adoption: the process, the legalities, and costs.
3. Intercountry Adoption - Presented by Eleanor Young, MA, Bethany Christian Services
   If you want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of international adoption, this session is for you! You will gain an understanding of the process and path to international adoption including where to start, paperwork, legalities, children available for adoption, wait time and issues that families and adoptees face through international adoption.
4. Forever Family: Journeying through Adoption - Facilitated by Kathryn deBruin, MFT, Private Practice
   This breakout session for adoptive parents and adoptees ages 8 - 18. The session will open with a 15 minute discussion on how adoption affects us at different ages. Then families will work together in a small group and guided through activities and discussion to encourage conversation and reflection on how adoption has touched their lives and influenced who they are as a family today. Adoptive parents who do not have their children with them will meet in a group with other parents and will spend the time in a supportive environment reflecting on their own journey with adoption.
5. Conversations about the Trials and Triumphs of Parenting - Facilitated by Devon Banks, MSW, Olive Crest Foster and Adoption Services
   Join us for casual conversations about your experiences as foster parents. Share lessons you’ve learned or just listen and see what wisdom comes from the stories you hear. Whether you are a foster parent or fost/adopt parent, you are invited!

2 PM - Closing Session with Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher
State Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher will share his experiences as an adoption advocate and a father of two adopted sons, Zach and Caleb. He will also discuss his efforts at the State level to expand options available to adoptive families and ease the financial burden on those seeking to adopt.

“As a parent of two adopted sons, this issue is very close to my heart. We must be working continuously toward promoting the adoption of children into permanent, safe, and loving homes. I commend the commitment of the Adoption Center of San Diego and His Children for increasing the options for San Diego’s children in need.”  –Nathan Fletcher