40 - Wednesday, October JUDY ARCHER is one of the North Shore adoption specialists who recently attended the Na- tional Adoption Conference in Vancouver. Archer recently received international recognition for her work with the Special Needs Adoption Demonstration Project (SNADP). By Rosemary Parrett-Keevil Contributing Writer This is a contract that) was uwarded to the North Shore Fami- Iy Services Society in F987 by the Province and is in its final year. Et is considered by many in the field of social work to be unique and successful — so successful that Archer, its coordinator, was in- vited to present a workshop at last 3, 1990 - North Shore News Adoption specialist attends conference month’s North American Traiaing Conference on Adoptable Children in) Washington, D.C. This is an annual about 1.000) adoptive families, children, birth parents and social warkers, Archer’s workshop wits on adopting children) with special needs. Ninety-nine children hase been referred to the SNADP for adoption related counselling and assessment. OF those, 34 now have permanent somes, nine are near- ing that stage, and another $3 re- cent referrals will likely be sue- cessfully placed. “The — children sange in age from several months to 13 years. They include sibling gathering of vroups, children who are part of a minority race. and thase who are physically and/or mentally handi- capped. The majority have a his- tory of abuse. neglect or multiple placements. Archer says adoption is gaining more visibility because of the shift from) othe placement: of healthy Caucasion intants, which are becoming less available, to the placement af childrens wich dit ferent needs. This change in the demographics of adoption was reflected by the number of mixed race families attending the con- ference and also by the diversity of the topics covered by the more than 100 workshops. Other workshops at the con- ference included: single parent adoption; building self-esteem in the adepted child; adoption and genetic information: responding to false child abuse allegations: the adoption of older children; crack and cocuine exposed infants: ser- ually abused children, Delma Hemming, the North Shore area inanager for family and child services for the Ministry ot Social Services and Housing. is pleased that Archer was asked to attend the Narth American Train- ing Conference on Adoptable Children: ‘It reflects well on B.C. that we hase a project (SNADP) of enough importance and SALE PRICES IN EFFECT UNTIL SAT., OCT. 6, 1990 OR WHERE SUNDAY OPENINGS APPLY, OCT. 7, 1990 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, WHILE There's a Sears store near you... $120 off Kenmore extra-capacity 10-program washer. White, Black backguard. 266 340 400 ser. Reg. 799.99 .. 679.99 Almond extra $130 off Kenmore extra-capacity 7-program dryer. White, Black backguard. 266 380 400 ser. Reg. 609.99 .. 479.99 Aimond extra, White backguard alsoavatable . Reg prices stated are Sears puces a ‘Based on independent national surveys current at time of advertising preriaranon eo of major appliances! SEARS a oa = QUANTITIES LAST your money's worth...and more NORTH VANCOUVER, Capilane Mali, open daily 9:30-5:30, Thurs. and Fri. till 9, Sun. noon to 5 p.m., phone 985-7722 Sears Canada Inc Satisfaction quaranteed ot (money relunded “Reg” shop today at: Burnaby 433-3211, Richmond 278-5542; 5 Shop Sunday from 12 noon to 500 pm Capilano Mall 985-7722. Shop Monday, Tuesday, We dhiesday and Saturday ‘and “Was” dee eee ae eee aO hay Wednesday, Thursday and Friday tll 9.00 68-0811; Monday, Tuesday and Saturday 9 30 am to 530 pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Wl pm Surrey 588- 9 % am had 5 30 pm Thursday and Friday tl! 900 pr Shop Sunday from 12 noon to 5.00 pm Team significance ... that Judy was in- vited to do a presentation at an international conference." What ts unique about the SNADP ts the amount of time spent with both the prospective child and family. ‘‘There is a suony correlation between the lack of preparanion of children (and of families) and disruption of the new family unit. explains Archer. Project workers try to fiderate the adults and children from past problems and prepare them tor a challenging future. The prospective parents go through an vivht week education program - For more information on the Spectal Needs Adoption Demonstration Project contact the North Shore Family Services Society at 988-5281. KENMORE... CANADA'S 1 SELLING BRAND