Equipping adoptive families to thrive after adoption.
March 8, 2025
8am - 3:30pm
Hamilton, OH
Adult Registration is Closed; for
those who have registered, click here
to choose your sessions
WHEN?
Saturday, March 8th, 2025
8am - 3:30pm
WHERE?
The Benison
100 South Third Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
Email Address
ThriveAdoptionButlerCounty@gmail.com
Hamilton, OH
The Benison
Registration Now Open for 2025!
ThriveAdoptionButlerCounty@gmail.com
The Benison
100 South Third Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
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adoption events, news, and support.
Childcare Registration is
currently closed, as we are at
max capacity. Add your name
to the waitlist and we will let
you know if more space becomes
available.
This free conference equips adoptive &
foster families with the tools needed to do
more than just survive… but to thrive in the
years following adoption.
NEW in 2025 is an upgraded experience for
our children! Instead of just childcare, we
have a mini kid-conference running in
tandem with the adult conference. The kids
will get to craft, have sensory stations,
playtime, and even child-friendly sessions.
Plant a seed to do more than
Survive. Thrive after adoption.
EVENT SCHEDULE | Title | Description |
8:00 AM | Doors Open | Grab some doughnuts and coffee, get checked in, and explore the |
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | Welcome, Intro, and Keynote Session | Stephanie Ellison: Bridges to Healing |
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM | Breakout Session 1 | 6 different smaller sessions on a variety of different topics; sit in on |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Breakout Session 2 | 6 different smaller sessions on a variety of different topics; sit in on |
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | Lunch | Grab some tasty lunch provided by Chick-fil-A, meet with vendors. |
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM | Breakout Session 3 | 6 different smaller sessions on a variety of different topics; sit in on |
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM | Final Keynote & Basket Raffle | Jillana and Jennifer: Balancing Reality and Hope in Foster Care and |
Breakout Session Host | Session Title & Description |
Jen Powers | Facing the Past, Finding Hope for the Future - How to Find Balance in Parenting, Even Amidst Major Setbacks |
Jayne Schooler & Kristy Matheson | Growing Up Together: A Biological Child’s Perspective on Life in a Foster Family. Also hosting The Healing Power of Story: Navigating Honest Conversations with Fister and Adopted Children. |
Sara-Ruth RIggs & Shannon Teeters | Helping Your Child Thrive through Sensory Challenges. |
Heather Vandenbark | For Better or for Worse, Finding Victory in Your Marriage. |
Karen Chennells | Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: New Views on Challenging Behaviors |
Stephanie Ellison | Bridges to Healing |
Bill Morrison | Reserve your own personal 30 minute non-legal consultation about advice on understanding adoption subsidies. |
Adult Session Topics
Kids Conference Info
- Location: This year, the kids will located right down the street (in walking distance of
The Benison) at 23 S Front St, Hamilton, OH 45011. - Dropoff will be at 7:45am.
- Kids will be split into 3 groups, based on age. Each group will have a variety of fun, age-
appropriate activities, such as:- Crafting with the Schoolers
- Sensory Stations
- Playtime in the Gym
- Sessions with EmPowered
- Tea/Hot Chocolate Time with Jillana & Jennifer
- Lunch
- Movie & Popcorn
- Story Time with Stephanie Ellison
- Movement Activities
2024 Highlights
FUN FROM 2023