The Ties That Bind Seminar Is Sponsored By The Following Organizations:

Keynote Speakers

KEYNOTE ADDRESS * SATURDAY, MAY 14, 20119:30 am during General Session

Debbie Riley is the Chief Executive Officer of The Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc. (C.A.S.E.), an independent pre and post-adoption organization in the Baltimore-Washington area and co-author of the book, Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens. Ms. Riley holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Maryland. Since 1993, she has focused exclusively on the field of adoption. A nationally recognized adoption expert and dynamic speaker, Ms. Riley has more than 30 years of professional experience designing and developing nationally acclaimed adoption—competent programs and providing specialized counseling services to adoptive families.
Debbie believes that everyone has a disguise, especially adopted children. Her keynote address will explain how adoptees struggle with an extra layer of challenges related to their identity, their future and their past. Normal tasks of growing up are intensified by adoption, particularly if children are being raised by parents of a different race or culture. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of childhood for adoptees and how it affects their personal development and impacts family relationships.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS * SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011 ,12:30 pm during Closing Luncheon

Ashley Rhodes—Courter is an adoptee and author of the New York Times Bestseller, Three Little Words. Ashley spent almost ten years in foster care, living in 14 placements before being adopted at the age of 12 by Phil and Gay Courter of Crystal River, Florida. Ashley graduated with honors from Eckerd College and was named one of GLAMOUR Magazine’s Top Ten College Women. Ashley has received national and prestigious awards from the North American Council on Adoptable Children, the Child Welfare League of America, and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Ashley also won a GOLDEN BRICK Award for outstanding advocacy by “Do Something” and donated her $25,000 winnings to a child welfare organization. She is currently earning her Master’s degree in Social Work and is a licensed foster parent and Guardian ad Litem
(or CASA) volunteer in her community.
Ashley has a passion to share hope with struggling youth, parents, and professionals. In her keynote address, she will allow the audience to see what it is like growing up in foster care, what practices and policies are the most effective, and how one person can change the life of a child. Ashley also talks about the need for permanency and community involvement to secure the best outcomes for at-risk youth.

Featured Presenters

* SATURDAY, MAY 14TH—during Sessions One, Two, and Three

Greg Keck,, Ph.D. is the founder and director of the Attachment and Bonding Center of Ohio. Dr. Keck specializes in working with adoptive families whose children experienced early trauma. He is certified as a Diplomate and Fellow by the American Board of Medical Psychotherapy and teaches at the University of Akron. He is also the co-author of Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow, Parenting Adopted Adolescents, and Adopting the Hurt Child: Hope for Families with Special Needs Kids. He is an adoptive father and is involved in training regarding attachment disorders, both nationally and internationally.

* SATURDAY, MAY 14TH—during Sessions One, Two, and Three

Sherrie Eldridgeis an adoptee and author of four books including Twenty Things Adoptive Parents Need To Succeed. When Sherrie speaks about her greatest passion—adoption—adopted children and their parents are drawn closer. Sherrie blends practical adoption truths with life-changing principles. She helps parents see adoption from their child’s viewpoint, equipping parents to be more confident starting discussions with their children about their past. Through insightful discussions Sherrie helps adoptive parents learn to value their child’s birth parents without feeling insecure, provide love in way their child can receive, help their children discover their unique mark of ownership on their lives, and create a sense of purpose in the adopted child’s life by fostering a true understanding of themselves.

* SUNDAY, MAY 15TH—during Sessions Four and Five

Kevin Hofmann is an adoptee and author of Growing Up Black in White , a moving and sometimes humorous look into the life of one man with a fascinating past. Born into the racially-charged Detroit of 1967 to a white mother and black father, Kevin was placed into foster care and then adopted by a white minister and his wife, the parents of three biological children. Hofmann’s story will reveal the difficulties of feeling neither black nor white, his family’s loving support, and his struggles to define and embrace his own identity. He will describe his life as a transracial adoptee as one of hope and promise. Through his life experiences, humor, and profound reflection he will answer the questions everyone wants to know about the impact of being raised in a transracial home from the unique perspective of a male adoptee in a way that makes tough and difficult issues easier to hear.

Friday Night Kick-Off

Please join us on Friday, May 13th at 7:00 pm in the Grand Ballroom for a special Ties That Bind Kick-Off event. International Award-Winning Magician, Comedian & Humorous Motivational Speaker Debbie Leifer will present YOU Are The Magic! This entertaining motivational program is sure to get us all energized, inspired, and laughing. Debbie’s unique brand of Magical Motivational combines lots of fun audience participation, clean relevant humor, mind-boggling magical tricks, and phenomenally entertaining mind reading… all designed to illustrate Debbie’s powerful motivational messages. In 2007, Debbie was voted “Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year” and in January 2011 she won the first-ever “Excellence in Professional Development” award from the Atlanta Society of Magicians. Come laugh, be amazed, get inspired, and meet the other families during this fun-filled motivational experience!

FAMILY NIGHT CELEBRATION— UNMASKING THE MAGIC OF ADOPTION!

After a stimulating day of learning and networking on Saturday, May 14th participants will want to attend the Family Night Celebration for all ages! This year our celebration theme will be Unmasking The Magic of Adoption, where we will reveal a night of enchantment to show all adoptive families just how magical they are. Join us for a Venetian style Masquerade Ball under mask and cloak where our noble families will enjoy an evening of fantasy and exciting entertainment by world renowned illusionist James Brandon. Among the most prestigious Medals bestowed upon James are the Seigfried and Roy Golden Lion Award he received in Las Vegas, the World Magic Olympics Medal he won in Japan, and the Golden Mandrake, presented in Paris for excellence in magical arts.
We encourage all family members, both young and not so young, to join us for a wonderful family dinner followed by James performing his amazing illusions with breathtaking feats that leave you wanting more! Next we will welcome the
very talented Gateway Performance Productions performing their Illusions Mask Theatre. In this interactive performance we will marvel at the artistry, humor and universality of a masked performer on stilts, a golden dragon and skating bear,
traditional clowns and musical bones. Afterwards, families can enjoy the rest of the evening participating together in a variety of family—friendly activities such as arts and crafts, clowns, family photos, inflatable games, family challenges, cooperative games, music and dancing, and much, much more! So unmask your inner spirit and join us for a fanciful evening of magical fun for everyone!