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Thursday, November 17, 2022 | 1:00PM – 2:30PM EST 

Extended Access Available Nov. 18 – Dec. 18, 2022

This workshop provides the opportunity for participants to examine how and why birth family is often critically important to children moving towards permanency and children who have been adopted, and how foster and adoptive parents’ attitudes toward birth family impact their children’s self-concept and identity. We also address age-appropriate communication about birth family, helping children/adolescents come to terms with difficult information, and what parents/professionals need to know about maintaining a relationship with the birth family.  Participants learn both the benefits and challenges involved in these unique relationships, as well as how to successfully navigate the common challenges to ensure permanency.

Presenter

Mari J. Itzkowitz, LCSW has over 20 years’ experience working in the areas of loss, healing, trauma and adoption. Ms. Itzkowitz graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and received her Masters of Social Work from The Catholic University of America. Ms. Itzkowitz is an Adoption Competent Therapist and Training Specialist at the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) in Annandale, VA. Ms. Itzkowitz provides clinical services to families who have adopted through foster care or internationally and also works closely with individual counties to provide pre-adoption services working with foster children and families as they move toward finalization.  In addition, Mari provides individual, family and group therapy to adopted children, families and adult adoptees.   Ms. Itzkowitz is a Certified TAC trainer and has provided “Train the Trainer” programs throughout the country. Ms. Itzkowitz has been providing Consultation Supervision both at C.A.S.E. and privately for the last 15 years.