Adoption in the Digital Age By Steve/Jessica Moon, Tyler Whitaker, & Alison Lowe Families Supporting Adoption National Conference August 1st, 2009
Why Use the Internet? Where do I start? Tons of Available Information Get the Word Out for your own Adoption Support Groups Starting your own Adoption Blog Communicate with Birth Parents Advocate for Adoption Q&A
FamiliesSupportingAdoption.org Part of LDS/Provident Living Website Public Facing Not Much Content Yet Landing Page Link here Will Improve Over Time
FSA Members Login http://ldsfsfsa.bluestep.net Good Official Content from LDSFS, FSA, and the National Board Don’t link here (password required) Go here for FSA information Please sign up for an Account
FSA National Board Blog http://familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com News / Events Public Facing Link Here Please Comment / Share Buttons / Badges Subscribe to the RSS Feed
Adoption.com Where to start? All you ever wanted to know. Loads of Info Has an LDS section Comment / Share on the Forum Linked with Parent Profiles
Get the word out ~ ItsAboutLove.org ~ ParentProfiles.com ~ Facebook ~ My Space ~ Twitter ~ Other blogs (adoption, friends etc)
Why Support Groups? Misery Loves Company Baby Hungry Wing Nuts Need Counseling Sharing / Helping / Giving / Healing We all need help and the Internet is everywhere Only you can share the hope you find Your story is unique and worth hearing We are all normal
Online Support Groups Yahoo Groups Facebook group adoptionvoices.com groups.yahoo.com Chapter groups Facebook group Search for Families Supporting Adoption adoptionvoices.com Social Network for only Adoption
Starting your own Adoption Blog “… may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration. Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true.” Elder M. Russell Ballard December 15, 2007
How can I start my own blog? The More Good Foundation http://www.moregoodfoundation.org/how_to_blog Blogger.com Easy, Free, Simple Wordpress.com / Wordpress.org Full Featured Blogging Platform, Flexibility Others: LiveJournal.com, Typepad.com Start Adding Text, Pictures, Video…
Blogging Do’s & Don’ts Link to ItsAboutLove.org & FamiliesSupportingAdoption.org Always remember your purpose is to positively promote adoption. Encourage birthmothers to work with LDS Family Services. Do share your own adoption success story. Don’t be controversial or negative. Do your homework. Make sure you’ve covered your bases and know what you’re discussing. Show some class. Maintain your dignity and respect by remaining calm and under control. Be creative and have fun. Graphics, photos, and videos can do a lot to spread a message. Don’t write a book about adoption. Share your thoughts and perspectives.
http://tylerandmandy.blogspot.com Good example of a beginning blog http://tylerandmandy.blogspot.com Good example of a beginning blog Simple Creative Just about us Easy to update Doesn’t require web skills
Blog Examples Adoption blog: http://abcsofourfamily.blogspot.com Family blog: (Private) http://steve-jess-kids.blogspot.com Kids blog : (Private) http://lettersfrommommy.blogspot.com Photo sharing: http://stevenandjessica.zenfolio.com
Communicate with Birth Parents Communicate through E-mail Instant Messaging Face book/ My space Blogs (comments) Twitter Texting Pass photos onto birth parents: Walmart, Sams, You can also E-mail photos.
Advocate for Adoption The Internet is Perfect for: The overall goal: Legislative Issues General Adoption Promotion Sharing the Lord’s views on Adoption The overall goal: Direct Birth Parents to LDSFS Raise the topic of Adoption to common, talked about social event
Questions & Answers FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) What is the Internet? (Go Google Al Gore) Can I really trust Wikipedia? I use Internet Explorer 6, should I upgrade? Can I Haz Cheezburgerz? 4ny l33t FS4 p30pl3 kn0w th3 w1r3l3ss ss1d?