Creating Connections: Child-Centered Adoption Strategies

Join the Heart Galleries of Texas for our first learning series of 2026, Adoption Conversations Across Childhood!

Join the Heart Galleries of Texas for our first learning series of 2026, Adoption Conversations Across Childhood! The Heart Gallery Learning Series is designed to build statewide consistency, create shared language, and strengthen practice skills across the child welfare community.

This 1-hour training aims to provide knowledge and skills in child-centered adoption practices for working with children and families in foster care, adoption, and guardianship. This training is open to professionals supporting youth and families in foster care and adoption. This may include DFPS/SSCC staff, child placing agencies, post-permanency professionals, CASA volunteers, mental health providers, and community partners. CEUswillbeprovided.

Objectives:

1. Distinguish between child-centered and adult-centered practices.
2. Increase knowledge and understand purpose of child-centered adoption practices.
3. Explore specific strategies and tools that promote centering the child’s perspective during the adoption process.

Presenter:

Samantha B. MacCallon, LPC-S, Curriculum and Training Specialist, Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing: Samantha is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor. Samantha has multiple years of working directly with children, families, and communities in child welfare, school mental health, and private practice settings. She has experience providing therapy services to children and adults who have experienced trauma, facilitating protective parenting groups, and trainings on developmental trauma.