Expanded Adoption Training Curriculum

In early 2021, America World launched our Anchored in Hope training for prospective adoptive families. This 10-hour curriculum meets the Hague requirements for training and introduces families to the international adoption process and some of the challenges they might face.

Since then, we have recognized a need to further prepare families for life after adoption, especially as the face of international adoption evolves. The number of children with special needs, older children, and sibling groups we place continues to grow, and we want to equip families for the unique challenges they face.

We are very excited to announce we have rolled out an additional 20 hours of training for our current families, some live and some recorded, giving families 30 total hours of core curriculum. Families will complete the first 17 ½ hours prior to their home study. This initial curriculum consists of the original Anchored in Hope training plus additional topics, including adoption expectations; sexual development; managing school, family, and friends; and post-adoption depression. These courses will help families go into their adoption with an understanding of what could lie ahead in their journeys.

Then, families will take 12.5 more hours of courses between their home study approval and referral. Topics will include self-care, mental health, trauma, and TBRI. The courses will teach about many of the considerations that families have once they bring their children home, and they will prepare families using the latest evidence-based approach methods.

In addition to these required courses, we now offer more specific training to families who need it. Courses prepare families for adopting an older child, adopting multiple children, and adopting when children are already in the home.

ACT Training Director Jennifer Knight says, “As an agency, we want to better equip families for adoption, and expanding our curriculum is an important step in this direction.”

Currently, the new curriculum is only available to America World families, but we plan to widen its availability over time. It is only required for families initiating a new home study. However, the courses are available for all families to access for ongoing training needs. If you have any questions about this or any of our other training and coaching services, email ACT@awaa.org.