Journeys of Discovery 2025
An Adoption Network Cleveland Conference
March 20-23, 2025
At Baldwin Wallace University in Berea Ohio
Sandstone Conference Center, Strosacker Union, Lower Level, 125 Tressel Street, Berea, OH
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Welcome Event
Location: Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport Hotel, 7230 Engle Road, Middleburg Heights, Ohio: Main Ballroom
Join us Thursday evening at 6:30 PM in the Main Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland Airport Hotel for our Journeys of Discovery Welcome Event. Come share some light hors d’oeuvres and a drink or two as we kick off our national conference.
6:30 PM Registration table open
6:30-9:30 PM – Drinks and hors d’oeuvres
7:30 PM – Interactive Presentation, You Can’t Make This Stuff Up!
The evening will feature Steve Osborne, an NPE (Not Parent Expected or Non-Paternity Event) who passionately and humorously tells the true story of Steve, his fourteen siblings, and his convoluted family tree. But that is only the beginning. Through random chance and an Ancestry DNA® test, Steve learned more about this family and its past than he could imagine. It’s a rollercoaster ride of a story so bizarre it leaves almost anyone who hears it saying, “You can’t make that sh*t up!”
Flawed humans and flawless genealogical research collide in this story of human nature. It’s like a two-drink minimum Ted Talk about DNA surprises, misattributed parenthood, the path he traveled, and ultimately the true meaning of the word family. In the end it will leave you pondering the power of genetics, fate, love, acceptance, and what truly defines a family. You might laugh, you might cry, or you might just have a few drinks and a bacon-wrapped water chestnut. No matter what, it should be an enjoyable evening for all.
Friday, March 21, 2025
Location: Baldwin Wallace University, Strosacker Hall, 125 Tressel Street, Berea, Ohio
Sandstone Conference Center, lower level
8:15 AM - Registration opens
8:15 AM - Breakfast (provided)
8:45 AM-12:30 PM - Plenary Session – Sandstone 3
8:45 AM - Opening Remarks
9:00-10:30 AM – Plenary Keynote
Adopting Privilege: What is it? Who has it? And how is access to information and informed consent attempting to shift it? (*CEU Track - Ethics topic)
Privilege refers to an advantage or access assigned to certain individuals or groups and not to others. In adoption, that access includes the right to raise children, the right to records and information, the right to resources and societal acknowledgement. Who in the adoption constellation holds the power and is granted privilege, and how does that privilege affect others within the constellation? How are people within the constellation using their voices and legislation to gain access? What are the ethical considerations that have been left out of the modern adoption narrative, creating a privileged class? In her memoir, Adopting Privilege: A Memoir of Reinventing My Adoptee Narrative, Dr. Abby Hasberry discusses the notion of privilege in adoption. Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of access to open records in Ohio, this keynote is an extension of the discussion about privilege and adoption and will examine how the modern adoption industry has created its narrative around adoptive parent privilege and how centering the voices of adoptees and birth families has begun to challenge that narrative.
10:30-11:00 AM – Break
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Plenary Session Panel Presentation
Ethics in Child Welfare, Adoption, and DNA Discoveries (*CEU Track - Ethics topic)
Maureen Heffernan, MSSA, LISW-S, Moderator
Panelists:
Kara Rubinstein Deyerin, JD, LLM
The Data Behind the Right to Know: Why Knowing Genetic Identity is Critical for Health, Identity, and Well-Being examines the critical importance of genetic identity for personal health, psychological well-being, and family relationships. Through scientific data and case studies, Kara highlights the impact of knowing one’s genetic background on medical care, mental health, and identity formation. Participants will learn about the risks associated with genetic ignorance and the importance of early disclosure to support healthy identity integration.
Shajuana M. Gaston, BSW, Foster Care Alum
Promoting Youth and Young Adult Voice in Placement Crisis and Child Welfare as an Ethical Practice will discuss the idea that youth and young adults should be empowered and given the opportunity to use their voice and lived experience to shape outcomes in our child welfare system. Anecdotal and statistical data will be presented to support the idea that “nothing about us without us” is a mantra that could improve the livelihood of young adults exiting care, and impact those who are in care for long periods of time. Adultism shapes our systems and can negatively impact our outcomes. Youth Advisory Boards, youth involvement in their case plan, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) groups for congregate-care facilities and transitional living programs, can provide opportunities for authentic youth engagement in the child welfare system.
No Blurred Lines: Child Welfare Professionals as Adoptive Parents delves into the unique challenges faced by child welfare professionals who are also adoptive parents, especially when raising high-needs children. Participants will learn about the balance needed between professional ethics and personal responsibilities, focusing on maintaining clear boundaries between their roles.
Jean Widner, Author
The Adoption Paradox – When is adoption the answer, and when isn’t it? How do we prioritize the needs of the child? Where does adoption fit in the broader social safety net, and what are the ethical considerations involved?
12:30-1:30 PM – Lunch (provided)
1:30-3:00 PM – Workshops – Select One:
1a: Brainspotting Therapy for the Adoption Constellation (*CEU Track)
Brooke Randolph, LMHC, LPC, LPCC-S
Brainspotting is a cutting-edge treatment modality for children and adults, enabling deeper processing and more efficient therapy, including addressing implicit memories and preverbal trauma. Brainspotting is especially beneficial for the adoption constellation, offering healing and affirming therapeutic experiences. This presentation will include a lecture with slides, a demonstration, and a Q&A session.
1b: Redefining Family and Identity After a DNA Discovery (*CEU Track)
Kara Rubinstein Deyerin, JD, LLM, and panel Brad Ewell, Dan McKinnon, J. Steven Osborne
Redefining Family and Identity After a DNA Discovery explores the profound impact of unexpected DNA revelations and how they reshape both personal identity and the very definition of family. Moderated by Right to Know founder Kara Rubinstein Deyerin, this panel features three men with powerful stories: Brad Ewell, a late discovery adoptee who reconnected with his biological family at 48; Dan McKinnon, a late discovery donor-conceived person who uncovered hidden heritage and siblings during the pandemic; and J. Steven Osborne, who learned at 57 that the man who raised him was not his biological father. Each of these men has had to reconcile with unexpected truths about their genetic origins, reshaping their understanding of family, belonging, and self. This panel will discuss the challenges of integrating new family members, managing relationships with those who raised them, rebuilding a sense of identity, and redefining what family means after a life-altering discovery. Attendees will gain insights into the emotional, psychological, and social effects of DNA surprises, while exploring practical approaches to healing, advocacy, and community support.
1c. I Think I Want to Write My Story?
Monica Hall and Annie Hallsten Narayan
This presentation is designed for anyone in the adoption constellation who is considering writing their story but unsure where to begin. Whether you aspire to write a memoir, document your story for your family, or simply wish to write your story for the purpose of healing, this session will provide valuable insights. Monica, a self-published author, and Annie, a professional ghostwriter, will discuss the pros and cons of different writing approaches and share best practices for getting started. By the end of the presentation, attendees will have a clearer understanding of the best path for telling their story and the reasons behind their choice.
1d: Un-M-Othered: A Story of Adoption & Patriarchy – Personal Storytelling and Arts-Based Healing (part 1 of 2)
Un-M-Othered is an award-winning solo performance that speaks to the experience of adoption trauma and the search for self. Un-M-Othered seeks to disrupt dominant narratives, problematizing adoption and gender and making visible the invisible intersections of identity that contribute to a lifelong sense of un-belonging for adopted people. It aims to generate a more trauma-informed public discourse around the diverse identities and lived experiences of adopted people. Utilizing Un-M-Othered as the foundation, this interactive workshop will introduce adoptees to the ways that personal storytelling and the arts can be used as tools to process and heal embodied trauma. Participants will learn how reflective writing can help give voice to the internal experience of being adopted and be used to reshape public discourse. Using a trauma-informed approach participants will be guided through a series of writing/sharing exercises to begin to write a self-narrative that honors lived experience. By turning inward and writing from the body, adoptees may find ways to grapple with complexity, further define individual identity, and find healing by breaking silences. Grounded in principles of writing as a healing practice participants will leave with tools to begin to think about writing as a generative process that can be used to find clarity, understand the effects of trauma, and promote personal growth.
3:00-3:30 PM – Break
3:30-5:00 PM – Workshops – Select One:
2a: Let’s Talk About Reunion
Linda Reboulet and Louise Okuri
This interactive workshop will explore the dynamics of adoption reunions, focusing on challenges and best practices. Topics include common pitfalls, strategies for maintaining balance, handling power imbalances, and moving past problems and issues along the way. This session will be led by a reunited adoptee and birth mother with lived experience, offering real-life insights and advice.
2b: A Man with 1000 Kids: The Complexity of Genetic Sexual Attraction in Reunion Relationships (*CEU track)
Eileen Skahill, MA, and panel Molly Rhodes, MSW, Leslie Pate Mackinnon, LCSW, Linda Pevac
Adoptees, donor conceived people, and people with misattributed parentage are inadequately informed as to the degree of trauma that separation from their genetic kin has cost them. Therefore, they are frequently blindsided and knocked off course by the emotional impact of reunion. Recognizing oneself, encountering identity for the first time, and experiencing developmental processes such as attachment and bonding at “mach speed,” can increase the chances of genetic attraction and the possibility for termination of a reunion.
2c. Healing Through Performance: The Role of Drama Therapy in Adoption and Foster Care (*CEU Track)
This workshop will explore the use of Drama Therapy as a powerful tool for fostering emotional expression, healing, and self-identity in adoptees and youth in care. Working through performance, metaphor, and narrative, this approach offers a holistic means to engage with the emotional and physical impacts of trauma, grief, and loss, while nurturing hope through connection.
2d: Un-M-Othered: A Story of Adoption & Patriarchy – Personal Storytelling and Arts-Based Healing (part 2 of 2)
See description under Part 1 above.
5:00-5:30 PM – Break
5:30-7:30 PM – Dinner - option to eat in support groups hosted in Sandstone Conference Center, eat in the cafeteria upstairs, or go out
7:30-9:00 PM – Open Mic/Story Telling - Lauren LoGiudice, host, LOCATION TBD
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Location: Baldwin Wallace University, Strosacker Hall, 125 Tressel Street, Berea, Ohio
Sandstone Conference Center, lower level
8:15 AM – Registration opens
8:15 AM – Breakfast (provided)
8:45 AM – Opening Remarks
9:00-10:30 AM - Plenary Keynote – Sandstone 3
Healing Adoption Traumas Using the 3 Stage Complex PTSD Treatment Model (*CEU Track)
Marie Dolfi, LCSW
Adoption triad members frequently struggle in their healing journey because adoption traumas are not recognized as traumatic events that could cause Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). This workshop will begin with detailed information on how the brain and body change because of adoption traumas resulting in trauma diagnoses. The 3 Es of trauma will be reviewed to provide an understanding of why some adoption triad members have traumatic experiences and why others are impacted but were not traumatized. C-PTSD trauma symptom categories will be discussed with examples of symptoms that adoption triad members experience. The evidenced-based 3 stages of trauma treatment model will be presented to help trauma survivors understand the importance of each stage of trauma psychotherapy and how trauma-informed therapy is different from traditional talk therapy. The workshop will conclude with a discussion of stress management techniques trauma survivors can use to decrease their trauma symptoms.
10:30-11:00 AM – Break
11:00 AM-12:30 PM – Workshops - Select One:
3a. The Effects of Mother-Child Separation: Results of the Preliminary Exploration of Adoption Reunion (*CEU Track)
Dr. Lynn Roche Zubov and Jennifer Oakley, Registered Psychotherapist
The session will discuss the results of a study that 1) explored the long-term effects of the separation of (first) mother and child, including mental health issues, 2) attempted to identify common themes that might contribute to more satisfying adoption reunions, and 3) gathered information regarding the conditions under which the original adoption took place. Using the Preliminary Exploration into Adoption Reunions Survey (PEAR), the study found that adoption negatively affects individuals who are separated from their mothers. Preliminary data suggests that both adoptees and first mothers are significantly more likely to attempt suicide. Additionally, data collected on topics such as other mental health issues, why adoptees and first mothers search, reasons people felt they needed secrecy in adoptions and reunions, etc., will be discussed.
3b. From Silence to Support: Creating Space for LGBTQ+ Adoptees (*CEU Track)
Although adoptee voices and spaces have increased over the years, the voices and spaces for LGBTQ+ adoptees have remained limited, particularly for transgender adoptees. This has often left few opportunities for LGBTQ+ adoptees to safely discuss the impact of their gender identity and sexual orientation on their adoption and the impact of their adoption on their gender identity and sexual orientation. This workshop will feature experiences of LGBTQ+ adoptees, strategies, and solutions to make support and advocacy spaces safe and accessible to all adoptees.
3c: Nurtured by Nature: Adoptee Experiences and the Healing Power of Nature
Eileen Skahill, MS, Whitney Dawn Pyles and Reba Steig
Using Eileen Skahill’s short documentary, “Nurtured by Nature: Adoptee Experiences and the Healing Power of Nature” as a springboard for the workshop, we will explore themes that emerge through the stories of adoptees interviewed in the documentary such as nature as a place of inclusion and belongingness, nature as a container for both grief and joy, nature as a teacher of embodiment and to BE our authentic selves, nature as space of “blessed solitude” and a safe space to look inward and experience awe, nature as a connection to God/Goddess/higher power, and the natural world’s invitation to adventure. We will encourage individual/group reflection and sharing around these themes. We welcome all members of the adoption constellation in this journey of exploring the healing power of nature. Before closing, we’ll offer simple tools, accessible in daily life, to help us connect with the healing power of awe. The documentary can be viewed at https://youtu.be/VMAxrMpHboQ?feature=shared
3d. Funny Side Up: Bringing Laughter to the Tough Stuff (Part 1 of 2)
However your story unfolds, laughter is a key to connecting with others, both online and offline. In this workshop you will learn how to use your own personal brand of wit and charm to make your communication memorable and relatable. No experience necessary!
12:30-1:30 PM – Lunch (provided)
1:30-3:00 PM – Workshops – Select One:
4a. Managing Meltdowns, Staying Calm in Crisis, and Addressing Violence (*CEU Track)
Brooke Randolph, LMHC, LPC, LPCC-S and Dr. Victoria Sanders, LMFT
Even if we realize that traditional parenting strategies are not helping our children, we may feel lost about what to do, especially when emotions get big or even scary. Supported by the work of Dan Siegel, Bruce Perry, and Karyn Purvis, this simple strategy will help caregivers stay calm because they know what to do. We will also discuss planning for urgent/emergent safety concerns, so you can be prepared even for the worst possible situation while preventing escalation due to your own fears and concerns.
4b. The Healing Power of Adoptee Friendships
Cathy Leckie Koley, Christine Koubek, and Christine Murphy
Join three adoptee activists in this experiential workshop as they discuss both their individual paths of discovery and growth, and how friendship helped them heal as a collective. The 3Cs as they call themselves will share wisdom they have gained over time and from a variety of modalities, including yoga, writing, talk therapy, hypnotherapy, support groups, and movement. They will also share how connecting at a conference 10 years ago initiated a much-needed support system as each navigated reunion and life as an adoptee. Included will be a sampling of activities (like breathwork, movement, expressive arts, and meditations, to name a few) all specifically designed for those in the adoption constellation. Think of this as a mini-healing retreat for your mind, your body, and your soul – led lovingly and safely by three new friends!
4c. Managing Identity
Oliver and Melissa Leembruggen
“Who am I?” For adoptees, or anyone who is part of the constellation that question could be confusing, challenging, threatening, or even feel unanswerable. We want to share our perspective today on ways we’ve been challenged by that question, but also ways we’ve learned to answer that question.
4d. Funny Side Up: Bringing Laughter to the Tough Stuff (Part 2 of 2)
Lauren LoGiudice
See description under Part 1 above.
3:00-3:30 PM – BREAK
3:30-5:00 PM – Plenary Theatrical Performance and Talk Back Session
A Secret in Plain Sight, solo performance
Kevin Gladish
At the age of 43, Kevin Gladish discovered the truth behind a family secret that completely altered everything he knew, sending him back to Cleveland to uncover his roots. This one-hour storytelling performance traces his journey from missed clues in childhood, to his shocking discovery, and finally, through investigative research and DNA testing in his obsessive search for the truth. Based on his blog, A Story with No Beginning, Kevin takes the audience on a journey of discovery that continues to ask what is true, what is false, and how much any of us can ever know.
5:00-5:30 PM – Break
5:30-7:00 PM – Dinner - option to eat in support groups hosted in Sandstone Conference Center, eat in the cafeteria upstairs, or go out
7:30-9:00 PM
Special Entertainment Opportunity:
Misfit Variety Show: A Joyful Comedy Night, with our very own comedian Lauren LoGiudice and friends
Front Street Social, 107 Front Street, Berea, Ohio 44017
This donation-based event is not part of your conference registration. Space is limited. To reserve your spot, click here:
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Location: Baldwin Wallace University, Strosacker Hall, 125 Tressel Street, Berea, Ohio
Sandstone Conference Center, lower level
9:00 AM – Breakfast (provided)
10:00 AM – Plenary Theatrical Performance and Talk Back Session
The Stork Files, True Stories of Adoption, Abortion, and Having No Choice
Written and performed by Julie Coppens, with Ted Lavender as The Stork
Unswaddling secrets, terminating shame, bearing witness, fostering community.
In the summer of 1972, a suburban Cincinnati mom brought home a new wig… and an adopted baby. Five decades (and a few Supreme Court decisions) later, one journalist/theatremaker considers her unlikely “life” story, amidst the reproductive-rights tug-of-war—and invites others to share their truths—with this funny, poignant “play in gestation.” A two-time hit of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, The Stork Files has also been featured at the annual retreat of Concerned United Birthparents in California, and at Perseverance Theatre in Juneau, Alaska.
12:00 PM – Conference Concludes
