MOMS Connected Training MOMS Connected offers several training modules that can be use separately as a 1-2 hour training session or combined for up to a full day of training.  MOMS Connected can tailor each of these training courses to fit your needs.  This training is appropriate not only for adoptive and foster parents, but also for staff of agencies who provide care for African/African American and bi-racial children. In each of our courses, we strive to create an open, honest atmosphere where people can feel safe to ask questions and share opinions.  Because we are of different races and backgrounds, but are both adoptive mothers of minority children, we have the ability to look at issues from different points of view and explain those points of view to our audience.  We use humor and interactive exercises to draw all audience members into active participation. Please e-mail us at info@momsconnected.com to talk to us about your training needs and a list of the places where we have done training. Transracial Families 101 This course is for parents considering the pursuit of adopting an African, African American or bi-racial child.  In this course we cover the basics of transracial adoption including: A brief history of transracial adoption How transracial adoption is perceived by different communities How an adopted child will fit into their new family and community Hair and skin care for African/African American and bi-racial children Racism and its affects on the child and his/her family Positive ways to deal with racism Taking on the role of adoption ambassador Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone This course is for anyone parenting an African/African American or bi-racial child whether through foster care, adoption or kinship.  We believe that when a person makes a choice to parent a child of another race, they must also choose to step out of their own comfort zone and develop a new comfort zone that includes the comfort of their child.  In this course we: Define what makes up our comfort zones Look at how we profile people by skin color, dress, language, age, etc. Positive actions parents can take to introduce other cultures into their home Places families can go to gain exposure to other races Racism and its affects on the child and his/her family Helping children deal with racism Interracial Communication This course is appropriate for any Caucasian or African American person who lives with, works with or cares for people of another race other than their own. It has been pointed out that forty years after passage of the Civil Rights Act, Black and White Americans continue to live in a house divided. The ways in which we perceive one another are distored by generations of misunderstanding and mistrust. If we are ever to bridge the racial divide, we must learn to talk-and, equally important, to listen. In this course we: Look at differences in communication styles between the races Interact with role play exercises Discuss how misunderstanding communications styles can lead to misunderstanding intent or motives Learn about distinct cultural differences in food, worship and communication styles Explore ways to bridge the communications gap How media representations form cultural opinions What Others Say "You were both FANTASTIC! Thanks so much for this service!" "You talk about things no one else will talk about." "I've been a foster parent for 15 years and this is the best training I've ever attended." "You complement each other beautifully. The presentation was very professional, educational and delivered in a way that families could accept." "From the evaluations, the parents thought your portion of the training as one of the most valuable sessions." "We, white social workers, can tell them the same thing but it does not have the meaning it has when it comes from Tonya, as a Black woman, and Cheri who has gone through the experience." "You provided a safe and comfortable forum to discuss topics that can be difficult."