There came a time (two seperate times, actually), during my years of infertility and miscarriages, that my husband and I were seriously considering adoption. We began collecting information, talking with agencies, even with a birth mother. After all the frustration with our own fertilty issues, it was a relief to be speaking with professionals and other parents who could help us understand the seemingly overwhelming maze of adoption. We found it wasn't so much of a maze, you just needed the right resources to help navigate.

The following information is directly from RESOLVE:

"Southwest Region of RESOLVE presents

20th Annual Adoption Conference: Embracing Adoption

Saturday May 16, 2009

8:30AM-4:30PM

The Point in the Pyramid

California State University Long Beach

Long Beach, California

Whether you are ready to pick an agency or just want to find out more about adoption, this annual event is for you. You will meet a birth mother, and an adult adoptee. You will be given the chance to learn from and talk with leading adoption professionals and network with other potenital adoptive parents.

Registration

Due to the often high costs associated with famiily building we try to keep the price of attending as reasonable as possible. We also like to reward our members with special pricing. RESOLVE Members price is $20 per person and non-members are $40 per person. Please note that if one household member is a RESOLVE member both partners or all family living at that address are members. Because we like to encourage family and friends to be supportive we have special pricing available to allow your parents, sisters, brothers, and friends to attend at a reduced fee, these special fees must be arranged by May 11, 2009.  Please contact Kristi Smemoe at kristi.smemoe@hotmail.com or call 949.419.6084 for more information. Please note that there are also scholarships available for folks that have been hard hit by the current economic times and fertility treatment costs. We encourage you to consider becoming an event volunteer for the conference but if for some reason you are not able to volunteer and would like to be considered for a scholarship please contact Kristi for information. Click here for the form.

Refund Policy

A 50% refund will be issued when registration is canceled in writing. Refund requests must be postmarked by May 23, 2009, and must include a copy of the original registration confirmation message. Please include the address the refund should be issued to and note the method of payment. Refund requests can be sent to: RESOLVE, PO Box 6077, Lancaster, CA 93539. No refunds will be issued for Geographically Undesirable requests.

Geographically Undesirable

This conference happens once a year and we believe that it is well worth planning a weekend get away to allow attendance but the committee recognizes that sometimes it is geographically difficult to plan such a trip. So the committee has made allowances to send you what available material is presented. Eligible requestors must live greater than 120 miles (making the conference geographically undesirable for you) from Long Beach, California. Requests must be made in writing, must include a $15 check made out to Jennifer Munro to cover postage, and must be postmarked by May 11, 2009. The committee can not confirm nor predict what materials will be sent. However past experience allows us to believe this is worth while for interested requestors that can not attend the conference. Requests can be sent to: RESOLVE, PO Box 6077, Lancaster, CA 93539

Schedule of Activities

Please note that our schedule is always likely to change times and speakers are all tentative. However we try to do our best to keep you informed of any changes. Please visit this website regularly for updates and information.(Please check here on Monday evenings for updates)8:30AM-9:00AMOpen Registration - Visit with Exhibitors - Morning Break9:00AMOpening Remarks - Embracing Adoption - Domestic Adoption Story10:00AMBreak - Visit with Exhibitors - Meet SpeakersIndependent Adoption Center - AdoptHelp - A is 4 Adoption - Academy of California Adoption Lawyers - Children's Home Society & Family Services - Heartsent Adoption Inc - Southern California Foster Family & Adoption Agency - It's All About You.... - Nightlight Christian Adoptions10:30AMThe Home Study - Domestic Adoption Panel12:00 noonLunch - Topic Tables - Visit with Exhibitors1:15PMInternational Adoption Panel - International Adoption Story - Exhibitor Break2:30PMAdult Adoptee Story - Birth Mother Story3:30PMAdoption Tax Credit - Paying for Adoption - Closing Remarks - Door Prizes(this schedule was posted on March 2nd and is tentative)