NavRAD is a plan-building, connection-making, guided experience for those raising kids with reactive attachment disorder (RAD). We, the nonprofit RAD Advocates, collaborate with other professionals we've vetted and trust (as parents ourselves) to help you chart a plan forward as you navigate the highly misunderstood symptoms of reactive attachment disorder and the complicated and broken systems that go with it.
Along the way, connections happen over bacon and chocolate (a RAD Advocates must-have tradition). You'll trade stories with other parents. You'll laugh...and probably cry. You'll have "aha moments" as you listen to seasoned professionals who've raised or worked closely with kids with reactive attachment disorder for decades. After the three days, you'll leave NavRAD with resources, education, new friends, confidence, and a guide to make decisions that are right for your family.
Along the way, connections happen over bacon and chocolate (a RAD Advocates must-have tradition). You'll trade stories with other parents. You'll laugh...and probably cry. You'll have "aha moments" as you listen to seasoned professionals who've raised or worked closely with kids with reactive attachment disorder for decades. After the three days, you'll leave NavRAD with resources, education, new friends, confidence, and a guide to make decisions that are right for your family.
Location
The Diamond Conference Center
1875 Diamond Parkway
North Kansas City, Missouri 64116
1875 Diamond Parkway
North Kansas City, Missouri 64116
Date & Time
October 13, 2023, 8:30 AM - October 15, 2023 - 3:30 PM
Don't miss the third NavRAD. There's nothing else like it for those raising kids with reactive attachment disorder.
Carrie O'Toole has spoken at a lot of events related to trauma. And she can attest that there's nothing like NavRAD for those raising kids with reactive attachment disorder.
There's something for everyone along the journey. Something for you. Find your people. Leave with a roadmap designed just for your family. Seats and hotel rooms are limited this year. Book both as soon as possible (information below).
There's something for everyone along the journey. Something for you. Find your people. Leave with a roadmap designed just for your family. Seats and hotel rooms are limited this year. Book both as soon as possible (information below).
"I loved being able to meet and talk with other RAD parents, getting support from others the lack of judgment in the room. I felt I could have walked up to anyone in that room and they would not have asked me about my daughter in a way that would have invalidated my experience. It felt safe to talk about our experience for the first time in my life."
-NavRAD22 attendee
"Connecting with other families who “get it” was a great feeling. We felt validated and not alone in all we are experiencing and dealing with.
Being given the chance to think about a plan, and gaining different ideas and resources to implement the plan upon our return home was amazing!"
-NavRAD22 attendee
"It was one of the most validating experiences I've had thus far. Foster and adoptive care is hard enough, but RAD is its own ball game. It was nice just being able to sit in the presence of others, knowing they carry similar burdens and pain that I do. I didn't need to explain myself or feel judged or shamed, I was just understood. It gave me more peace and confidence in which direction to go. Knowing whatever decisions we make, regardless of how it seems to others, our decision will be what is best for our kid and the rest of our family. It validated that I do love this kid, but feeling like a crazy confused psycho is normal because of the constant rejection and feelings of failure."
-NavRAD22 attendee
Why attend RAD?
At Navigating RAD 2023, you'll get the support and guidance you need from RAD Advocates and other seasoned professionals to create a realistic plan to move your family forward with confidence, including:
- A copy of Your Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) Parenting Roadmap: A Thoughtful Workbook To Help Your Family Survive and Thrive Through the Challenges of RAD to follow along and complete throughout the conference so you can leave with a customized action plan for your family
- A parent-reported inventory to gauge the severity of your child's reactive attachment disorder, along with a group explanation from trauma expert Forrest Lien, LCSW, founder of Lifespan Trauma Consulting
- Customized workbook time with your guides, RAD Advocates, to help you decipher a path forward specific to your situation, wherever you are along the RAD parenting journey
Your NavRAD Guides
Everything we do at RAD Advocates is in the best interest of families of children with reactive attachment disorder Because we do not accept sponsorships at our conference, our only obligation is to you. We provide the resources and guests we wish we would've encountered at the beginning of our own RAD parenting journeys.
Heather & Amy
RAD Advocates
RAD Advocates Executive Director Amy VanTine and Chief Executive Officer Heather Houze, experienced in RAD parenting themselves, are experts in helping families navigate the messy and complex systems that go with raising a child with the disorder. They guide parents through the NavRAD experience from start to finish.
Forrest Lien, LCSW
Lifespan trauma consulting
As a pioneer in the trauma field, Forrest is a rare clinician in his understanding and treatment of how RAD impacts families. Through a successful treatment model, private practice, therapeutic assessments and other services, he has helped thousands of children, adults, and their families heal.
Carrie O'Toole
carrie o'toole ministries
After parenting a child with reactive attachment disorder and making the heart-wrenching decision to relinquish their son to another family, Carrie now helps parents through their own grief and trauma resulting from parenting traumatized children.
Tracey Poffenroth-Prato
RAD Talk with Tracey
Tracey started coaching because of her passion and skill to help people in crisis and draws from her own RAD parenting journey. She also has a podcast to raise awareness about RAD and create a community for RAD families.
Keri Williams
raising devon
After raising a child with RAD, Keri educates the world about the reality of the disorder through her work as an award-winning author. She advocates through words, both in writing and in person, to empower and support parents.
Monica Badgley
RAD Sibs
After several years of focusing on her children with RAD, Monica’s eyes were opened to the traumatic impact it was having on her child without RAD. Monica is now on a mission to create a community of support for siblings of those with RAD.
Scott Smith
Best choice admissions
Scott understands the benefits and struggles with alternative placements for kids with RAD. He visits schools across the nation and helps parents to find the right program the first time and within their budget.
Dr. Allison Quadhamer
chiropractic neurologist
Allison has experienced the heavy emotions, grief and stress that come along the RAD parenting journey herself. She lends her professional expertise to help parents feel calm and peace through the power of breathing.
Hotels
Here are the hotels we have blocked with a discounted rate that are within walking distance to NavRAD23. Please be aware that, due to numerous events in the area, hotel rooms may be limited or more expensive on certain days. The earlier you book, the better your opportunities to secure convenient and cost-effective lodging.
NavRAD blocked rooms
*These blocked rooms are limited but more will be released as needed and available. If no rooms are left, contact Sierra Saenz of the Marriott properties directly at (816) 541-5706 to request that more rooms are released.
Element North Kansas City for $149 USD per night
Book your group rate for RAD Advocates here
Blocked Dates: Thursday, October 12-Sunday October 15, 2023
Last Day to Book: September 12, 2023
NavRAD blocked rooms
*These blocked rooms are limited but more will be released as needed and available. If no rooms are left, contact Sierra Saenz of the Marriott properties directly at (816) 541-5706 to request that more rooms are released.
- Aloft North Kansas City for $139 USD - $149 USD per night
Element North Kansas City for $149 USD per night
Book your group rate for RAD Advocates here
Blocked Dates: Thursday, October 12-Sunday October 15, 2023
Last Day to Book: September 12, 2023
NavRAD23 Schedule (Subject to change)
Friday, October 13
Locate Your Starting Point & Pick Your Navigation Tools (pages 5-13 in the workbook)
8:30-9:00 am — Check-in
9:00–9:45 — Welcome, Explanation of workbook (pgs. 5-8) and icebreaking activities, RAD Advocates
9:45–10:00 — Break
10:00-12:30 — Keynote: "'Why Am I Feeling Crazy?': The Life of RAD Parenting," Forrest Lien of Lifespan Trauma Consulting
12:30-2:00 — Lunch break
2:00-3:30 — Workbook time (pgs. 9-13), RAD Advocates
3:30-3:45 — Break
3:45-4:45 — "Determining What You Have Left as a Family and Ideas to Move Forward," Carrie O'Toole
4:45-5:00 — Grounding exercise, Carrie O'Toole
5:00–5:15 — Wrap-up & connection opportunity
7:00–9:00 — Gathering opportunity (optional)
8:30-9:00 am — Check-in
9:00–9:45 — Welcome, Explanation of workbook (pgs. 5-8) and icebreaking activities, RAD Advocates
9:45–10:00 — Break
10:00-12:30 — Keynote: "'Why Am I Feeling Crazy?': The Life of RAD Parenting," Forrest Lien of Lifespan Trauma Consulting
12:30-2:00 — Lunch break
2:00-3:30 — Workbook time (pgs. 9-13), RAD Advocates
3:30-3:45 — Break
3:45-4:45 — "Determining What You Have Left as a Family and Ideas to Move Forward," Carrie O'Toole
4:45-5:00 — Grounding exercise, Carrie O'Toole
5:00–5:15 — Wrap-up & connection opportunity
7:00–9:00 — Gathering opportunity (optional)
Saturday, October 14
Determine a Realistic Destination (pages 14-19 in the workbook)
8:00-8:30 am — Coffee, connection & check-In
8:30-8:45 — Welcome back and icebreaking activities, RAD Advocates
8:45-9:45 — Workbook time (pgs. 14-16), RAD Advocates
9:45-10:00 — Break
10:00-11:00 — "Glass Children: The Impact of RAD on Siblings," Monica Badgley of RAD Sibs with a panel of young people who have a sibling with RAD
11:00-11:30 — Workbook time (pg. 17), RAD Advocates
11:45-1:15 — Lunch break
1:15-2:15 — "Looking Back: A Chat about the Reality and Strategies Through the Hard Work of RAD," an interview with a thriving young adult with RAD and Tracey Poffenroth-Prato
2:15-3:15 — "Redefining Success as You Raise a Child with RAD," Keri Williams
3:15-3:20 — Grounding exercise, Carrie O'Toole
3:20-3:30 — Break
3:30-4:00 — Workbook time (pgs.18-19), RAD Advocates
4:00-4:45 — "Seeking Alternative Placement When Home Isn't Working," Scott Smith of Best Choice Admissions
4:45-5:15 — Workbook time (start on pg. 20) and recap the day, RAD Advocates
5:00–5:15 — Wrap-up & connection opportunity, RAD Advocates and Dr. Allison Quadhammer
8:00–9:30 — Elemental Rhythm Breakthrough Experience (ERBE), a guided breathwork opportunity offered via Zoom from the comfort and privacy of your own room, Dr. Allison Quadhamer
8:00-8:30 am — Coffee, connection & check-In
8:30-8:45 — Welcome back and icebreaking activities, RAD Advocates
8:45-9:45 — Workbook time (pgs. 14-16), RAD Advocates
9:45-10:00 — Break
10:00-11:00 — "Glass Children: The Impact of RAD on Siblings," Monica Badgley of RAD Sibs with a panel of young people who have a sibling with RAD
11:00-11:30 — Workbook time (pg. 17), RAD Advocates
11:45-1:15 — Lunch break
1:15-2:15 — "Looking Back: A Chat about the Reality and Strategies Through the Hard Work of RAD," an interview with a thriving young adult with RAD and Tracey Poffenroth-Prato
2:15-3:15 — "Redefining Success as You Raise a Child with RAD," Keri Williams
3:15-3:20 — Grounding exercise, Carrie O'Toole
3:20-3:30 — Break
3:30-4:00 — Workbook time (pgs.18-19), RAD Advocates
4:00-4:45 — "Seeking Alternative Placement When Home Isn't Working," Scott Smith of Best Choice Admissions
4:45-5:15 — Workbook time (start on pg. 20) and recap the day, RAD Advocates
5:00–5:15 — Wrap-up & connection opportunity, RAD Advocates and Dr. Allison Quadhammer
8:00–9:30 — Elemental Rhythm Breakthrough Experience (ERBE), a guided breathwork opportunity offered via Zoom from the comfort and privacy of your own room, Dr. Allison Quadhamer
Sunday, October 15
Chart a Personal Route Just for Your Family (pages 20-23 in the workbook)
This is the day when we culminate all that we’ve learned into a guide unique to your family. Please do not plan to leave until closing in order to get the full NavRAD experience.
8:00-9:00 — Coffee, connection & check-in
9:00-10:15 — Small group guidance, RAD Advocates
10:15-10:45 — Break
10:45-12:00 — Small group guidance, RAD Advocates
12:00-1:15 — Lunch break
1:15-2:15 — Workbook time (pgs. 20-21), RAD Advocates
2:15-2:30 — Break
2:30-3:15 — Workbook time (pg. 22), RAD Advocates
3:15-3:30 — Closing, RAD Advocates
This is the day when we culminate all that we’ve learned into a guide unique to your family. Please do not plan to leave until closing in order to get the full NavRAD experience.
8:00-9:00 — Coffee, connection & check-in
9:00-10:15 — Small group guidance, RAD Advocates
10:15-10:45 — Break
10:45-12:00 — Small group guidance, RAD Advocates
12:00-1:15 — Lunch break
1:15-2:15 — Workbook time (pgs. 20-21), RAD Advocates
2:15-2:30 — Break
2:30-3:15 — Workbook time (pg. 22), RAD Advocates
3:15-3:30 — Closing, RAD Advocates
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NavRAD offered virtually?
We do not have any virtual events at this time. NavRAD is not a conference, it is:
-An opportunity to connect with other parents and professionals who understand you
-A time to feel a personal sense of safety (which, for many, requires a location away from the child with RAD) and relax in a space where, if triggered, we can be there to support you
-A guided experience to create a personalized plan forward for your family
Due to the unique nature of the disorder and event, we don't feel as though we can sufficiently provide the above well or responsibly in a virtual space.
All that said, RAD Advocates invites parents who can't attend to follow #NavRAD23 pics, quotes, and short video clips on Instagram that weekend. Also, we encourage parents in need of support to consider our support memberships that are available year-round from any location. No travel required! With support memberships, you'd get a downloadable workbook (the same as the one at the conference) and access to an advocate (depending on the membership you chose). Here is that link if you'd like to learn more.
Will childcare be available?
We do not offer childcare at NavRAD for the same reason we do not offer NavRAD online. This is a guided experience intended to give you a chance to feel connected, safe, and present. To do so wholly and safely, we insist that your children not travel with you to NavRAD.
We certainly understand the extreme difficulty in finding care for a child with reactive attachment disorder for a whole weekend. As we tell every parent, however, you must find a way to take care of yourself and your relationships whenever and however possible. It's not easy and takes creativity. Whether you ask a neighbor, someone from your church, or a family member, keep asking.
If it's any consolation as you seek childcare while you're away, remember that your child with reactive attachment disorder will probably be on their best behavior in another home. It is the nature of the disorder.
Are scholarships available?
While our scholarships are very limited, we do our best to keep NavRAD affordable for families and, at the same time, cover our expenses.
RAD Advocates provides NavRAD as a service to families only. The event does not typically generate revenue for the organization and we've opted not to ask for NavRAD sponsorships to protect the integrity of the event.
We do not have any virtual events at this time. NavRAD is not a conference, it is:
-An opportunity to connect with other parents and professionals who understand you
-A time to feel a personal sense of safety (which, for many, requires a location away from the child with RAD) and relax in a space where, if triggered, we can be there to support you
-A guided experience to create a personalized plan forward for your family
Due to the unique nature of the disorder and event, we don't feel as though we can sufficiently provide the above well or responsibly in a virtual space.
All that said, RAD Advocates invites parents who can't attend to follow #NavRAD23 pics, quotes, and short video clips on Instagram that weekend. Also, we encourage parents in need of support to consider our support memberships that are available year-round from any location. No travel required! With support memberships, you'd get a downloadable workbook (the same as the one at the conference) and access to an advocate (depending on the membership you chose). Here is that link if you'd like to learn more.
Will childcare be available?
We do not offer childcare at NavRAD for the same reason we do not offer NavRAD online. This is a guided experience intended to give you a chance to feel connected, safe, and present. To do so wholly and safely, we insist that your children not travel with you to NavRAD.
We certainly understand the extreme difficulty in finding care for a child with reactive attachment disorder for a whole weekend. As we tell every parent, however, you must find a way to take care of yourself and your relationships whenever and however possible. It's not easy and takes creativity. Whether you ask a neighbor, someone from your church, or a family member, keep asking.
If it's any consolation as you seek childcare while you're away, remember that your child with reactive attachment disorder will probably be on their best behavior in another home. It is the nature of the disorder.
Are scholarships available?
While our scholarships are very limited, we do our best to keep NavRAD affordable for families and, at the same time, cover our expenses.
RAD Advocates provides NavRAD as a service to families only. The event does not typically generate revenue for the organization and we've opted not to ask for NavRAD sponsorships to protect the integrity of the event.
Registration and Pricing
To ensure that NavRAD is a hands-on, connection-making, plan-building intimate experience, we've opted to limit seating (even more so this year). Please plan accordingly. We apologize that we can't accommodate everyone but do take the mission of NavRAD seriously. Each group of tickets is limited. Due to our limited seating capacity, please note that we cannot provide refunds if you're unable to attend any portion of NavRAD23.
RAD Advocates members
Early bird member registration: Saturday, June 3 - Friday, June 9 at noon MST (unless tickets sell our prior)
Seats: $295/each
*Members, please check your email for your password.
RAD Advocates email subscribers
Early bird email subscriber registration: Friday, June 9 at noon MST - Monday, June 12 at noon MST (unless tickets sell our prior)
Seats: $325/each
*Email subscribers, please check your email for your password as registration approaches.
Not an email subscriber? Sign-up for RAD Advocates email now before June 12 to get early dibs on seats and lower pricing!
Early bird registration for everyone
Early bird for all registration: Closes Friday, July 7 at noon MST (unless tickets sell out prior)
Seats: $345/each
*No password required
General Registration
General registration: Closes Friday, September 8 at noon MST (unless all tickets sell our prior)
Seats: $375/each
*No password required
Late Registration
Late registration: Closes Sunday, October 15. We apologize that we cannot give prorating for missing days of attendance.
Seats: $399/each
*No password required
Early bird member registration: Saturday, June 3 - Friday, June 9 at noon MST (unless tickets sell our prior)
Seats: $295/each
*Members, please check your email for your password.
RAD Advocates email subscribers
Early bird email subscriber registration: Friday, June 9 at noon MST - Monday, June 12 at noon MST (unless tickets sell our prior)
Seats: $325/each
*Email subscribers, please check your email for your password as registration approaches.
Not an email subscriber? Sign-up for RAD Advocates email now before June 12 to get early dibs on seats and lower pricing!
Early bird registration for everyone
Early bird for all registration: Closes Friday, July 7 at noon MST (unless tickets sell out prior)
Seats: $345/each
*No password required
General Registration
General registration: Closes Friday, September 8 at noon MST (unless all tickets sell our prior)
Seats: $375/each
*No password required
Late Registration
Late registration: Closes Sunday, October 15. We apologize that we cannot give prorating for missing days of attendance.
Seats: $399/each
*No password required
