Building Strong Foundations:
Training with an Adoption Expert
Pathways
At Gladney Center for Adoption, we know that children from “hard places” — those with histories of loss, trauma, or neglect — require more than traditional parenting. That’s why all families adopting internationally must complete pre-adoptive trainings and the courses listed below, as well as participate in our three-day Pathways trainingat the Fort Worth campus. Our trauma-informed, research-based trainings equip parents with the insight, skills, and understanding needed to provide a safe, loving, and supportive home.
Training with a Gladney Expert
The staff at Gladney are excited to join you on your international adoption journey! We feel that the best gift we can give you is training. We are never too old to learn and the dynamics of adoption are unique. It is our hope to provide opportunities for you as a parent to grow as you take on the role of parenting your child. We are here to support you! The following trainings are available (some required – see descriptions) to all home study and placement adoptive families. You may register here or by clicking the respective links below. If there is an issue with registering, please contact Misty Lucas at Misty.Lucas@Gladney.org. (Registration for eac h training closes 24 hours prior to the training.) Once you have registered, a Zoom link will be sent to you to participate in the training. Participants will receive a certificate of participation.
required trainings
- Families in ALL of our international programs are required to take the following courses: My Child’s Journey to Adoption, How Your Attachment Style Affects Your Parenting, The Impact of Sexual Abuse in Childhood, and Once We Are Home: What To Expect (see below)
- In addition to the above all families in our Latin American programs are required to to take the Latin American Cultural Awareness (see below)
Gladney Fees for Out of State Families
FREE for Gladney Center for Adoption clients that have already paid for Gladney’s Hague Training (CAF)
- $150 for Gladney clients (per family) that have NOT paid for Gladney’s Hague Training (CAF).
- $30 per session for clients (per family) from other agencies.
- Single applicants are welcome to bring a support person.
All participants must register online at least a week in advance. You may register here or by clicking the respective links below. All fees for the non-Gladney families will be invoiced for the training and fees must be received two days before the training. If fees are not received two days prior to the training, then participants will not be issued a certificate for the training. If there are any questions please contact Misty Lucas at 817-922-5954 or Misty.Lucas@Gladney.org.
If a Prospective Parent requests an individual training session, the fee is double.
How Your Attachment Style Affects Your Parenting
As we all know, attachment is essential in all relationships. However, in adoption, the way we respond to our children’s needs is crucial due to their past experiences. Since we all bring our prior attachment experiences every time we interact and respond to our children’s needs, understanding how your attachment style influences the way you parent a child that comes from difficult circumstances will allow you to adapt your parenting approach to their unique needs. This self-awareness is essential for creating a safe and supporting environment for your child’s healing and growth.
REQUIRED FOR ALL FAMILIES IN ALL ADOPTION PROGRAMS.
next Available Dates:
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 3:00pm to 5:00pm EST
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 10:00am | 12:00pm EST
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 5:00pm to 7:00pm EST
the impact of sexual abuse in childhood
One of the reasons for a child entering care is sexual abuse and, sadly, it has become more common. This type of complex trauma will have an impact on the lives of the children and the way they perceive others. Becoming a parent of a child who was a victim of sexual abuse needs specific preparation to continue to help them heal and build safe, protective, and unconditional relationships they need to thrive.
REQUIRED FOR ALL FAMILIES IN ALL ADOPTION PROGRAMS.
next Available Dates:
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 5:00pm to 7:00pm EST
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 5:00pm to 7:00pm EST
latin american culture awareness
This training will help families understand a bit of the Latin American culture with some hints about the specific country they are adopting from, so families can learn about common behaviors and cultural differences. Though the training cannot cover the cultural variety, it will provide helpful information about some cultural cues of your child’s country of origin while in-country, as well as keeping it present as part of your child’s and family identity.
REQUIRED FOR FAMILIES ADOPTING FROM COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, OR ECUADOR.
next Available Dates:
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 2:00pm to 4:00pm EST
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 5:00pm to 7:00pm EST
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 2:00pm to 4:00pm EST
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 2:00pm to 4:00pm EST
*All families adopting from Colombia must take the Birth Parent Search training.
my child’s journey to adoption
This training provides a comprehensive viewpoint of your child’s emotional journey to be part of your family, while understanding the foster care system and its impact on the brain and the attachment cycle.
REQUIRED FOR ALL FAMILIES IN ALL ADOPTION PROGRAMS.
next Available Dates:
once we are home: what to expect
Coming home with your child is a joy, but it also brings many changes and challenges. This training intends to help families be aware of those feelings and behaviors that may appear during this time. Adjustment takes longer than expected and having additional tools may help navigate those feelings and situations while helping your child cope with being in a new culture.
REQUIRED FOR ALL FAMILIES IN ALL ADOPTION PROGRAMS.
next Available Dates:
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | 5:00pm to 7:00pm EST
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 10:00am to 12:00pm EST