WELCOME

Welcome to the web site of the Metropolitan Adoption Council of Greater Kansas City, a group whose members are licensed agencies, professional adoption practitioners and those with a special interest in adoption concerns.

We hope that this web site will help you to understand current adoption options and practices and aid in guiding you to helpful resources. We have linked with resources that may lead you to information regarding how to adopt, issues regarding raising adopted children, support groups for those touched by adoption, and other adoption topics.

Adoptive Family

We have tried to be selective in choosing links for this web site, however, we do not endorse or mean to promote agencies, businesses, etc. that this site links you to. We are not offering screening or evaluation of the services. Please research the information further and always ask for references.


ABOUT

MISSION STATEMENT

The Metropolitan Adoption Council of greater Kansas City is a group consisting of licensed adoption agencies, professional adoption practitioners and those with a special interest in adoption concerns who are organized for the following purposes:

To encourage cooperation and networking among adoption practitioners and community resources to facilitate placement of children awaiting adoption

To provide training, education and support for Metro members and the community regarding adoption

To serve as a resource in the community to promote awareness of adoption issues and practices

To advocate at the local and state level for quality adoption practices and adoption concerns

Adoptive Children

STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES

MEMBERSHIP: There are two levels of membership:

(1) full members are licensed child placing agencies and public agencies and (2) associate members are those who have shown an interest and involvement in adoption practices and concerns. Annual dues are assessed.

OFFICERS: The following officers lead the Council:

President, Vice President-Membership, Vice President-Meetings and Programs and Vice President-Finances.

HISTORY

The Metropolitan Adoption Council of greater Kansas City was formed in 1970 as a cooperative effort of public and private child placing agencies in Missouri and Kansas to share information and resources concerning adoption. Metro became incorporated as a not for profit corporation in 2002. The main goal of Metro was to serve the needs of children awaiting adoption by networking among agencies to find that “just right” home. Believing that each child needs and deserves a permanent home, this goal remains unchanged.

Adoptive Newborn

Metro is concerned with the needs of all adopted children, including emotionally or physically challenged children, children of various racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, children from outside the United States, both older children and infants.

In the years since its formation, Metro’s activities have expanded to include: (1) education of adoption professionals and those whose lives have been touched by adoption, (2) impacting legislative issues, and (3) addressing local adoption concerns.

Adoption is a life changing and lifelong experience requiring ongoing education and support. The Metropolitan Adoption Council remains dedicated to addressing the ever-changing issues of adoption.


MEMBER ATTORNEYS


Kevin W. Kenney, Attorney At Law
Kevin W. Kenney, P.A.
7301 Mission Rd., Ste. 243
Prairie Village, KS 66208
(913) 671-8008

Martin, Pringle, Oliver, Wallace & Bauer, LLP
Overland Park
Sam Heaney
9401 Indian Creek Parkway
Building 40, Suite 1150
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 491-5500

Karen S. Rosenberg, Krigel and Krigel, P.C.
4520 Main, Suite 700
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 756-5800

Waits, Brownlee, Berger, Hoop & Johnston
James A. Waits
401 W. 89th St.
Kansas City, MO 64114
(816) 363-5466

Sarah H. Ginther
P.O. Box 242
Liberty, MO 64069
(816) 363-5466
sarah@gintherlawkc.com

Megan L. Rose
15050 W. 138th Street
Olathe, KS 66062
913-535-8325
Rose.attorney@outlook.com

Jill Bremyer, Adoption Law LLC
120 W. Kansas
PO Box 443
McPherson, KS 67460
(620) 241-1611

Martin, Pringle, Oliver, Wallace & Bauer, LLP
Overland Park
Sam Heaney
9401 Indian Creek Parkway
Building 40, Suite 1150
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 491-5500

Wichita
Martin W. Bauer & Megan S. Monsour
100 N. Broadway, Ste. 500
Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 265-9311

Kevin W. Kenney, Attorney At Law
Kevin W. Kenney, P.A.
7301 Mission Rd., Ste. 243
Prairie Village, KS 66208
(913) 671-8008

Karen S. Rosenberg, Krigel and Krigel, P.C.
4520 Main, Suite 700
Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 756-5800

Sarah H. Ginther
P.O. Box 242
Liberty, MO 64069
(816) 363-5466
sarah@gintherlawkc.com

Megan L. Rose
15050 W. 138th Street
Olathe, KS 66062
913-535-8325
Rose.attorney@outlook.com

MEMBER AGENCIES


Adoption & Beyond, Inc.
16236 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, KS 66085
(913) 381-6919

Adoption Option, Inc.
8655 College Blvd.
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 642-7900

American Adoptions, Inc.
9101 W. 110th St., Ste. 100
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 383-9804

Catholic Charities of K.C.-St. Joseph, Inc.
850 Main St.
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 221-4377

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas
9720 W. 87th Street
Overland Park, KS 66212
(913) 433-2063

Christian Family Services of the Midwest, Inc.
8249 W. 95th St. Ste. 107
Overland Park, KS 66212
(913) 383-3337

Holt International Children’s Services
Missouri
606 SE Fox Run court
Blue Springs, MO 64014
(816) 878-7864

Kansas
5330 College
Overland Park, KS 66211
(816) 878-7864

Kansas Children’s Service League From Heart to Home Infant Adoption
3545 SW 5th St.
Topeka, KS 66606
(785) 274-3100

Infant Adoption (From Heart to Home)
1365 N. Custer
Wichita, KS 67203
(316) 942-4261

The LIGHT House, Inc.
400 W. Meyer Blvd.
PO Box 22553
Kansas City, MO 64113
(816) 361-2233

Midwest Foster Care & Adoption Association (Foster Adopt Connect)
18600 E. 37th Terrace South, Box 11
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 350-0215

Zoe’s House Adoption Association
4350 W. 107th St.
Overland Park, KS 66207
(913) 233-4996


KANSAS

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND REHABILITATION SERVICES
Kansas State Dept. for Children & Families
Division of Prevention and Protection Services (PPS)


Overland Park
8915 Lenexa Dr.
Overland Park, KS 66214
(913) 826-7480

Kansas City
402 State Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 279-7506

Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Child Care Licensing & Administration
1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 200
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 368-7125

KS ICPC Unit
915 SW Harrison
Rm. 530 East
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-0918

KS ICAMA
915 SW Harrison
Rm. 530 East
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-0918

Kansas City Region
Dept. for Children & Families
Independent Living & Adoption Support
Division of Protection & Prevention Services

8915 Lenexa Drive
Overland Park, KS 66214
(913) 826-7409

MISSOURI

MISSOURI CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Clay County Office
7000 Liberty Dr.
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 407-5899

Jackson County Office-Downtown
615 E. 13th St.
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 889-2377

ICPC Unit, Children’s Services
Children and Family Services

P.O. Box 88
Jefferson City, MO 65103
(573) 751-2981

NON-AGENCY MEMBERS


Kris Probasco, LSCSW, LSW. LLC
Adoption & Fertility Resources
30 Westwoods
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 781-8550 (Liberty Office)

Kansas City Adoption Home Studies, LLC
P.O. Box 4601
Olathe, KS 66063
913-815-8607

MidAmerica Family Treatment Center & Adoption Services
P.O. Box 25172
Overland Park, KS 66225
913-626-1018

Shawnee Mission Medical Center
Social Services Department -Obstetrics
913-632-1032

Creating Connection, LCC
Olathe, KS 66061
913-397-6666

Jennifer Dawdy
Kansas City, KS 66117
913-544-5877

Jennifer Decker, Network 127
Foster Adoption Ministry
Westside Family Church
Lenexa, KS 66227
913-890-4110

Kelly Ellison
Your Adoption Finance Coach
Kansas City, MO 64113
816-682-5500

Sarah Owen, MA, LCPC, LPC
Creative Solutions for Kids
Prairie Village, KS 66208
816-529-3966

Lebeka Shin, LCSW
Attachment and Trauma Therapy
Missouri and Kansas Locations
816-607-1775

Susan VanSyckle
Overland Park, KS
888-833-1114


LOCAL RESOURCES


Families Blessed with the World’s Children (international families)

Friends of Adoption (domestic adoption group)

Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Association
Lori Ross
816-350-0215

International Adoption Clinic – Children’s Mercy Hospital
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
(816) 234-1699

Modern Family Alliance, Inc. (LGBT family support group)
P.O. Box 7344
Overland Park, Kansas 66207-0344

Multiracial Family Circle/Mixed Roots (multiracial families through birth or adoption)
Find them on Facebook

Adoption Concerns Triangle
Marilyn Waugh
411 SW Greenwood
Topeka, Ks. 66606-1231
(785) 235-6122

Adoption Triad Support NetworkKC
Jennifer 913-441-0372
Carolyn 816-505-0328
e-mail at Gapmother@aol.com

Holt Support Group
Kyla Schweitzer– coordinator
816-878-7864

Birth Parent Support Group
Hillary Merryfield
Adoption Option
913-642-7900

Applied Learning Processes (processing disorders & learning issues)
816-942-6808

Autism Asperger Resource Center
913 588-5741

Poss-Abilities Children’s Therapy Group (OT, PT, etc., evaluations & treatment)
6223 Slater Street
Merriam, KS 66202
913-620-1007

CMSU Communications Disorders Department
Central Auditory Processing Disorder testing and treatment
660-543-4993

Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center
9120 W. 75th St.
Shawnee Missioni, Ks. 66204
913-676-2253

LifeWorks Family Treatment Group of Kansas City (attachment issues, etc.)
816-836-2920

Missouri First Steps
(special services for young children available through each country)
1-888-583-2392

Kansas Infant Toddler Services
(special services for young children available through each county)
785-296-1500

Horizon Academy – private school with services for learning disabilities

Adoption support group at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Liberty, MO

Adoption support group at Woods Chapel United Methodist Church, Lee’s Summit, MO

Adoption support group at Westside Family Church, Lenexa, KS


BIBLIOGRAPHY


Chapman, Gary & Ross Campbell.  The 5 Love Languages of Children

Dorner, Patricia Martinez. Talking to Your Child About Adoption. Palo Alto, CA: Schaefer Publishing Co., 1991.

Dorner, Patricia Martinez. How to Open an Adoption: A Guide for Parents and Birthparents of Minors. Royal Oak, MI: R-Squared Press, 1998.

Duxbury, Micky. Making Room in Our Hearts – Keeping Family Ties through Open Adoption. NY: Routledge, 2007.

Eshleman, Lark.  Becoming a Family: Promoting healthy Attachments with your Adopted Child. NY:  Taylor Trade Publishing, 2003.

Eldridge, Sherrie. Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew. NY: Dell, 1999.

Gottman, John, PhD   Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child: The Heart of Parenting. NY:  Simon & Schuster, 1997.

Gottman, John PhD & Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD.  And Baby Makes Three – the 6 step plan for preserving marital intimacy and rekindling romance after baby arrives.  NY:  Crown Publishers, 2007.

Gray, Deborah. Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today’s Parents. Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press, 2002.

Gray, Deborah. Nurturing Adoptions:  Creating Resilience after Neglect and Trauma. Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press, 2007.

Gritter, James L. The Spirit of Open Adoption. Washington, D.C.: Child Welfare League Press, 1997.

Gritter, James L. Lifegivers- Framing the Birthparent Experience in Open Adoption. Washington, D.C.: Child Welfare League Press, 2000.

Holden, Lori with Crystal Hass. The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption: Helping your Child Grow Up Whole. NY: Roman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. 2013.

Hopkins-Best, Mary. Toddler Adoption: The Weaver’s Craft. Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press, 1997.

Jewett, Claudia L. Adopting the Older Child. Boston, MA: Harvard Common Press, 1978.

Jewett, Claudia L. Helping Children Cope with Separation and Loss. Boston, MA: Harvard Common Press, 1982.

Johnston, Patricia Irwin. Adopting After Infertility. Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press, 1992.

Johnston, Patricia Irwin. Adoption is a Family Affair! What Relatives and Friends Must Know. Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press, 2001.

Johnston, Patricia Irwin. Launching a Baby’s Adoption: Practical Strategies for Parents and Professionals. Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press, 1997.

Kabat-Zinn, PhD , John & Myla.   Everyday Blessings- the inner work of mindful parenting

Karp, M.D., Harvey.  The Happiest Baby on the Block

Karp, M.D., Harvey.  The Happiest Toddler on the Block

Kasl, Ph.D., Charlotte.    If the Buddha Got Stuck – a handbook for change on a spiritual path

Kasl, Ph.D., Charlotte.     If the Buddha Had Kids:  Raising Children to Create a More Peaceful World

Katzer, Katie Prigel. Adoptive Parenting From the Ground Up: Parenting the Infant or Child Who Waited. KS: Katie Prigel Katzer, 2001.

Keck, Gregory, PhD. and Regina Kupecky, LSW.  Adopting the Hurt Child-Hope for families with special-needs kids-A guide for parents and professionals. Colorado Springs, CO:  Pinon Press, 1995.

Keefer, Betsy and Jayne Schooler. Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child: Making Sense of the Past. Westport, CN: Bergin & Garvey: 2000.

Klatzin, Amy (ed.) A Passage to the Heart. St. Paul, MN: Yeong & Yeong Book Company, 1999.

Mason, Mary Martin. Designing Rituals of Adoption: for the Religious and Secular Community. Minneapolis, MN: Resources for Adoptive Parents, 2002.

McCreight, Brenda. Parenting Your Adopted Older Child. CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc. 2002.

Melina, Lois and Sharon Kaplan Roszia. The Open Adoption Experience: A Complete Guide for Adoptive and Birth Families – From Making the Decision Through the Child’s Growing Years. NY: Harper Collins, 1993.

Melina, Lois. Making Sense of Adoption. NY: Harper & Row, 1989.

Melina, Lois. Raising Adopted Children: A Manual for Adoptive Parents. NY: Harper & Row, 1998.

Miller, Margi & Nancy Ward. With Eyes Wide Open: A Workbook for Parents Adopting International Children Over Age One. (Children’s Home Society of Minnesota) Minneapolis, MN: LN Press, Inc., 1996.

O’Toole, Elisabeth. In on It: What adoptive parents would like you to know about adoption – A Guide for Relatives and Friends. St. Paul, MN: Fig Press, 2011.

Pavao, Joyce. The Family of Adoption. Boston: Beacon Press, 1998.

Purvis, Karyn, PhD, David Cross, PhD & Wendy Lyons Sunshine.  The Connected Child – Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family.  NY:  McGraw Hill, 2007.

Register, Cheri. “Are Those Kids Yours?” – American Families with Children Adopted from other Countries. NY: The Free Press, 1991.

Register, Cheri. Beyond Good Intentions – A Mother Reflects on Raising Internationally Adopted Children. St. Paul, MN: Yeong & Yeong Book, Co., 2005.

Sears, William & Martha Sears. The Attachment Parenting Book – A comprehensive guide to understanding and nurturing your baby. Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 2001.

Sears, William & Martha Sears. The Discipline Book. Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1995.

Siegel, M.D., Daniel.  The Developing Mind (2nd edition)

Siegel, M.D., Daniel & Tina Payne Bryson, PhD.  No Drama Discipline: The Whole Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind.  NY: Bantam, 2014.

Siegel, M.D., Daniel  & Mary Hartzell.   Parenting from the Inside Out – How a deeper self-understanding can help you raise children who thrive.  NY:  Penguin, 2003.

Siegel, M.D., Daniel & Tina Payne Bryson, PhD.  The Whole-Brain Child – 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture your Child’s Developing Mind.  NY:  Delacorte, 2011.

Siegel, M.D., Daniel.   Brainstorm – The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain, an inside-out guide to the emerging adolescent mind, ages 12 to 24.  NY:  Penguin, 2014.

Silber, Kathleen and Patricia Martinez Dorner. Children of Open Adoption. San Antonio, TX: Corona Publishing, 1990.

Silber, Kathleen and Phyllis Speedlin. Dear Birthmother. San Antonio, TX: Corona Publishing, 1982, 1991.

Steinberg, Gail and Beth Hall. Inside Transracial Adoption. Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press, 2000.

Trenka, Jane Jeong and others. Outsiders within – Writing on Transracial Adoption. Cambridge, MA: South End Press, 2006.

Trinder, Liz and others. The Adoption Reunion Handbook. England: John Wiley & Sons, 2004.

Van Gulden, Holly and Lisa M. Bartels-Rabb. Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child. NY: Crossroad Publishing Co., 1993.

Wadia-Ells, Susan. The Adoption Reader – Birth Mothers, Adoptive Mothers and Adopted Daughters Tell Their Stories. Seattle, WA: Seal Press, 1995.

Watkins, Mary and Susan M. Fisher. Talking with Young Children About Adoption. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1993.

Willard, Ph.D, Christopher.   Child’s Mind – mindfulness practices to help our children be more focused, calm and relaxed

Wolff, Jana. Secret Thoughts of an Adoptive Mother. Honululu: Vista Communications. 1997.


LINKS


GOVERNMENT

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

U.S. Dept. of State – Consular Affairs

Internal Revenue Service

Social Security


PARENTING RESOURCES

Dr. William Sears, pediatrician

Parenting with Love & Logic

Families by Design – Nancy Thomas

Dr. Daniel Hughes, psychologist

Heather Forbes, LCSW

Greg Keck, PhD

Empowered to Connect @ TCU www.empoweredtoconnect.org and www.child.tcu.edu

Daniel Siegel, M.D.

Heart of the Matter Seminars – online adoption/parenting education

ATTACh.org

Child Trauma Academy/Bruce Perry, M.D.

Attach-China

Adoption Parenting/Doris Landry

Rainbow Kids

Adoption Learning Partners – online adoption/parenting education

American Academy of Pediatrics


NATIONAL RESOURCES

Our Chinese Daughters Foundation

Families with Children from China

Families with Children from Viet Nam

Latin American Adoptive Families

Association of Multiethnic Americans

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder

Colorado Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families

International Adoption Alliance

Family Helper – post adoption

Families with Cambodian Children

Heart of the Matter Seminars

PACT: An Adoption Alliance

Rainbow Kids.com

Single Mothers by Choice

Nancy Thomas Families by Design

Joint Council on International Children’s Services

Child Welfare League of America

American Adoption Congress

North American Council on Adoptable Children

Donaldson Adoption Institute

Ethica: A Voice for Ethical Adoption

Council on Accreditation for Child and Family Services

Institute for Adoption Information

National Adoption Center

New York State Citizens Coalition for Children

American Assoc. of Open Adoption Agencies

American Academy of Adoption Attorneys

Spaulding for Children (special needs)

International Soundex Reunion Registry

Center for Family Connections


INFERTILITY

Resolve

KC Infertility Awareness foundation

American Society of Reproductive Medicine

Donor Conception Network

Donor Sibling Registry

Embryo Adoption Awareness Center

Infertility Network

Shawnee Mission Medical Center Pregnancy Loss


ADOPTION MAGAZINES & PUBLISHERS

Rainbow Kids

Adoptive Families Magazine

Adoption Today Magazine

Fostering Families Magazine