WACAP Weekend


WACAP Weekend is our required two-day orientation/training course for prospective adoptive parents. If you live in Washington or Oregon, you must attend a WACAP Weekend as the first step in your homestudy. Before you make an appointment to attend, your WACAP application must be already processed, and you must have paid both your application and homestudy fees.

If you live in Alaska, you may be required to attend other training.

For 2008, WACAP Weekends (Friday afternoon & Saturday) are scheduled as follows. Please call 206-575-4550 to reserve your spot.
Renton, Wash.
Meets at WACAP's main office, 315 S. Second St., Renton.
2008
March 7–8
April 4–5
May 2–3
June 6–7
July 11–12

August 1–2
September 5–6
October 3–4
November 7–8
December 5–6
For families adopting a child under age 3:
Friday, 1:30–5 p.m.
Choose a weekend listed above.
Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Choose a weekend listed above.
Meet with:
  • Social Services representative
  • Adoption coordinator
Meet with:
  • Panel of adoptive parents
Topics:
  • Homestudy documents and procedures
  • Handling issues of concern from your family’s past
  • How we match you with a child
  • How institutional living affects children
  • Traveling to meet your child
Topics:
  • Talking to your child about adoption
  • Parenting adopted children
  • Maintaining your child’s cultural heritage
  • Promoting attachment
  • Q & A
For families adopting a child age 3 or older:
Part 1: Friday, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Choose a Friday listed above.
Part 2: Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
You must attend one of the following sessions of WACAP's "Adopting Toddlers to Teens" (AT&T) class:
  • March 15
  • May 10
  • July 19
  • Sept. 20
  • Nov. 15
You’ll receive specialized training tailored especially to help you succeed with an older child. Please sign up for one of these two day sessions at our office when you attend your Friday WACAP Weekend sessions.

If you change your mind and decide to adopt a younger child before attending this class, you can complete your training at any WACAP Weekend. If you change your mind after attending this class, your training is considered complete.
Meet with:
  • Panel of parents who adopted older children
Topics:
  • Roundtable discussion/Q&A
    Complimentary lunch served
Friday, 1:30–5 p.m.
Meet with:
  • Social Services representative
  • Adoption coordinator
Topics:
  • Homestudy documents and procedures
  • Handling issues of concern from your family’s past
  • How we match you with a child
  • How institutional living affects children
  • Traveling to meet your child
Portland, Oregon
WACAP Weekends
Portland-area WACAP Weekends meet as needed, depending on enrollment. For information or to pre-register, please call WACAP at 206-575-4550.
Adoption Orientation & Training
This free and comprehensive training, provided by the Special Needs Adoption Coalition, is required of all WACAP families in Oregon adopting children age 3 and up. (WACAP families in Oregon may also attend WACAP's "Adopting Toddlers to Teens" (AT&T) classes, held in Seattle).
Pre-Adoption Orientations
March 11, 2008, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
April 8, 2008, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
May 13, 2008, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
 
Pre-Adoption Training Classes
Each class is a three-day series that can help prospective parents develop further insight into their capacity for adopting children with special needs.
 
March 2008
Fri., March 7, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Sat., March 8, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sun., March 9, 1–4:30 p.m.
 
 
May 2008
Fri., May 2, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Sat., May 3, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sun., May 4, 1–4:30 p.m.
 
All orientations and training classes are held at the Boys & Girls Aid office, located at 18 SW Boundary Ct., Portland, OR 97201. Adults only please. Please call 503-542-2392 for more information, and to pre-register for the orientation or class of your choice.