- Mental Health
The Association of Black Psychologists, Inc.
This is an association that specializes in supporting Black psychologists and patients.
- Medical Needs
Cerebral Palsy Guide
Cerebral Palsy Guide is a resource dedicated to providing educational materials, financial resources, and support options for families affected by cerebral palsy and other birth injuries. This page specifically discusses therapies, medications, surgeries, and more, that are relevant to cerebral palsy and birth injuries.
- Medical Needs
Mesothelioma Hope
Mesothelioma Hope has long provided free mesothelioma resources about treatments, specialists, financial assistance, and more. This page particularly focuses on helping families discuss cancer diagnoses and treatments with their children. They have information about support groups, online forums, and examples of how to talk about mesothelioma with children.
- Birth Family Search
23andMe
23&Me is a popular genetic testing service. The website states, “Your genetic data is analyzed, and we generate your personalized reports based on well-established scientific and medical research.” The company also makes an effort to protect your information. This source can apply to and most benefit adoptees who are interested in exploring their DNA.
- Birth Family Search
Ancestry DNA
Ancestry DNA is a popular genealogy company. According to the website “AncestryDNA® gives you much more than just the places you’re from. With clear-cut historical insights and rich geographic details, we connect you to the places in the world where your story started – and you might even discover living relatives.” The company also makes a effort to protect your information. This source can apply to and most benefit adoptees who are interested in exploring their DNA.
- Birth Family Search
FamilyTreeDNA
FamilyTree DNA is a well known genetic testing company and is a division of Gene by Gene. According to the website “Founded in 2000, FamilyTreeDNA pioneered the field of genetic genealogy—the use of DNA testing to establish relationships between individuals and determine ancestry. As leaders in the industry, we provide advanced technology for users to gain further insight into their family history—all with a simple swab of DNA.” The company also makes an effort to protect your information. This source can apply to and most benefit adoptees who are interested in exploring their DNA.
- Birth Family Search
MyHeritage
MyHeritage is another genealogy platform. According to the website “ We search for people whose DNA matches yours: your relatives. Our DNA Matching technology reveals the percentage of DNA you share with your matches, showing you how closely related you are. You can connect with your newly found relatives to learn more about your family and discover shared ancestors.” The company also makes an effort to protect your information. This source can apply to and most benefit adoptees who are interested in exploring their DNA.
- Birth Family Search
WeGene
WeGene is a Chinese DNA company. According to the website “The WeGene Personal Genome Service test includes genetic health risk reports. The test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks.” The company doesn’t disclose its privacy policy. This source can apply to and most benefit Chinese adoptees who are interested in exploring their DNA.
- Birth Family Search
Journey Across Forever – China Birth Parent Search Group
Journey Across Forever is a closed group for adoptive parents with children from China who are searching for birth parents, foster parents, finders, etc. There are networking resources, steps to take when searching, and other resources that provide information on the process.
- Birth Family Search
China DNA
China DNA is a group that does DNA analysis to help adoptees connect to their Chinese ancestry, genealogy, and heritage.
- LGBTQ+
Talkspace: “The History of the LGBTQ Community and Mental Health Treatment”
From TalkSpace.com, this source will most apply to and benefit those who are seeking information about the history of the LGBTQ community and mental health treatment. The article goes over an abbreviated history, how the LGBTQ identity came to be designated as a mental illness, conversion therapy history, ongoing conversations about gender, and current issues.
- LGBTQ+
LGBT National Help Center: LGBT National Youth Talkline
The LGBT National Youth Talkline will most apply to and benefit LGBT youth (age 25 and younger) who need free and confidential peer-support. On the webpage you can find the talklines hours and information on what to expect on a call.
- LGBTQ+
HRC: “How HIV Impacts LGBTQ People”
From the Human Rights Campaign, this source will most apply to and benefit those who seek to understand how HIV impacts LGBTQ People. The article gives an overview of what HIV is, how discrimination against LGBTQ ties in to HIV, how it is funded, and the work HRC is doing to move forward with current issues.
- LGBTQ+
National Coalition for LGBTQ Health
The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health’s services can most apply to and benefit everyone in the LGBTQ Community. The coalition is “committed to improving the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals through federal and local advocacy, education, and research”. On the website you can explore their work regarding LGBTQ health and their resource page.
Gay Asian Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY)
This organization was founded in 1990 and is an all-volunteer community organization with the mission to empower queer and trans Asian Pacific Islanders to craete positive change. They provide a range of programs and work in coalition with other organizations to educate and promote dialogue about race, sexuality, gender, and health. This source applies to the API and LGBTQ community.
QMUNITY
This organization offers ten counseling sessions at a reduced cost. Free sessions are also an option for people who cannot afford the fee. They have appointments 10am-6pm Monday through Friday. The counselors have competency training in LGBTQ2SAI+ and gender-diverse related issues, however there is a waitlist. This source is great for people who are in need of therapy and with diverse counselors.
- LGBTQ+
Massachusetts Asian + Pacific Islanders for Health (MAP)
This organization aims to provide a safe space where API LGBTQ+ youth (ages 16-25) can come together to find support and make friends. They have drop-in centers, peer events, resources and animal-assisted therapy. They work with the Chinatown neighborhood and the greater Boston area; programs and organizations with similar objectives; school and university resource centers; as well as health centers and local businesses. This is a great resource for API LGBTQ+ individuals in the Boston area.
- LGBTQ+
American Civil Liberties Union
ACLU (American Civil Liberites Union) can apply to and most benefit those who are part of the queer community and allies. The organization advocates for equality and has a long history of defending the LGBTQ+ community. On the website you can explore recent news, court cases, press releases, podcasts, reports, and more.
- LGBTQ+
Stand with Trans
Stand With Trans is a source that can apply to and most benefit families and youth who are transitioning. The organization serves the trans community by empowering trans youth through LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, events/workshops, and support groups. On the webpage you can find many resources that will educate, inform, and support
- LGBTQ+
John Hopkins Medicine: Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity
From Johns Hopkins, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity serves patients and families who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. The webpage offers resources for patients, families, students, staff, and faculty. The website is available in 31 languages through the language assistance program.
- LGBTQ+
University of Michigan Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities: “All About Gender”
From Henry Ford, this guide can apply to and most benefit parents who have transgender, questioning, gender expansive, gender nonconforming, or non-binary kids. The guide explains terms, answers common questions, addresses transitioning, and gives additional resources
- LGBTQ+
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): “Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents”
From the American Academy of Pediatrics, this source will most apply to and benefit pediatric providers or those who are interested in how pediatric providers are changing their approach to their LGBTQ+ patients. This academic article reviews “relevant concepts and challenges and provide suggestions for pediatric providers that are focused on promoting the health and positive development of youth that identify as TGD while eliminating discrimination and stigma.”
- Mental Health
NYU Langone Health: NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health
The NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH) is based in NYU Langone’s Section for Health Equity. Its services can most apply to and benefit anyone interested in the research and evaluation of Asian American health and health disparities. The webpage explains the sections on the background of the organization, its approach + guiding principles, research tracks, career development, and community engagement + dissemination resources.
- Mental Health
Asian & Pacific Island American Health Forum (APIAHF)
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum’s services can most apply to and benefit the health of the AAPI community. Though influencing policy, mobilizing communities, and strengthening programs + organizations, the APIAHF supports the health of the AAPI community. It is the oldest and largest health advocacy org providing policy and political analysis, research, and communication strategies.
- Mental Health
National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse (NAPAFASA)
NAPAFASA* (National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuse)’s serves and works with AAPI communities on intiatives and projects addressing behavioral health in within the community. NAPAFASA is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to mental health advocacy through research, efforts at public health and policy reform, and community empowerment. The organization has AAPI community roots but also works with people from all backgrounds. They advocate for direct participation and aim to connect people with knowledge.
- Mental Health
AA & NH/PI Health Central Directory
The AA & NH/PI Health Central Directory members of the AAPI community who want more information on health. You can search by Region AANHPI subgroup, and focus. On the short profiles you can read the summary and be linked to the organization’s website.
- Mental Health
Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)
ACRS promotes social justice and the well-being and empowerment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities – including immigrants, refugees, and American-born – by developing, providing and advocating for innovative, effective and efficient community-based multilingual and multicultural services. ACRS services are available by appointment only.
Korean American Wellness Association (KAWA)
The Korean American Wellness Association (KAWA)’s services can apply to and especially benefit Korean Americans. The website is in Korean, you can search in directories for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists. In each directory, you can search by keywords and numerous categories. In each profile, you can find info regarding specialties served, language, financial information, and contact information.
- Mental Health
HealthRIGHT 360
HealRight360’s services can apply to and benefit most in the California area. The organization offers primary medical care, mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, social support & re-entry, and dental services. They also offer numerous other programs. There is an Asian American specific program called the Asian American Recovery Services (AARS) around the Bay Area.
- Mental Health
Asian Health Services
Asian Health Service (AHS)’s mission is to “ serve and advocate for the medically underserved, including the immigrant and refugee Asian community and to ensure equal acess to healthcare services regardless of income, insurance status, language, or culture.” Services can apply to and benefit most in the Oakland, CA area. AHS is a healthcare provider that offer a complete range of medical, dental, and mental health services for all ages.
- Mental Health
Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers (APCTC)
Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers ( APCTC)’s services can apply to and benefit API of all ages in the Southern California area. APCTC services are offered throughout Southern California within its seven locations. Call and talk about your needs with the cell phone numbers provided online. The website also contains a resource page.
- Mental Health
Unmute
Umute has an emphasis on serving/benefiting traditionally muted or marginalized communities with an aim on de-stigmatizing mental health. In its search directory you can search by state and insurance provider. In a therapist profile you can learn about their focus areas, treatment modalities, finance information, and more in their bio.
- Literature
The Primal Wound
This book is a “seminal work which revolutionizes the way we think about adoption. It describes and clarifies the effects of separating babies from their birth mothers as a primal loss which affects the relationships of the adopted person throughout life”. This book also discusses pre-and perinatal psychology, attachment, bonding, and loss and gives adoptees, whose pain has long been unacknowledged or misunderstood, validation for their feelings, as well as explanations for their behavior. Additionally, it lists “the coping mechanisms which adoptees use to be able to attach and live in a family to whom they are not related and with whom they have no genetic cues”. The hope is that this book will “contribute to the healing of all members of the adoption triad and will bring understanding and encouragement to anyone who has ever felt abandoned”.
- Literature
Palimpsest: Documents From a Korean Adoption
Sjöblom was adopted from Korea at two years old into a Swedish home. Throughout her childhood, she struggled to fit in and was constantly told to suppress her feelings of wanting to know more about her origins. Thus, she learned to bury the feelings of abandonment, like many other adoptees. In this illustrated memoir, “Sjöblom’s unaddressed feelings about her adoption come to a head when she is pregnant with her first child [and] she discovers a document containing the names of her biological parents”. She realizes “her own history may not match up with the story she’s been told her whole life: that she was an orphan without a background”. She ends up digging more into her background by traveling to Korea and the orphanage and finds out that the truth is “more complicated than the story she was told and struggled to believe”.
- Literature
Adoption Literature for Children and Young Adults: An Annotated Bibliography (Bibliographies and Indexes in Sociology)
This is an annotated bibliography that covers literature published from 1990 to 1991 suitable for children and young adults “dealing in some fashion with adoption”. There are 503 titles in this volume and are divided into fiction and nonfiction by reading level. “Most of the books included feature adoption as a main theme, others use adoption as a secondary theme, while others have characters who just happen to be adopted”. The bibliography encompasses topics such as “the age of arrival, sibling adoption, single-parent adoption, foster parent adoption, step-parent and relative adoption, transracial and intercountry adoption, Amerasian children, racial identity, minority families, special needs, large families, birthparents, search and reunion, surrogacy and open adoption, and some of the less pleasant aspects of adoption”. It is compiled by a reference librarian who is also an adoptive parent. There is also a featured selective resource list and directory of adoption-related organizations.
- Literature
Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today’s Parents
This is a comprehensive guide for prospective and current adoptive parents on ways to understand and care for the adopted child and promote healthy attachment. It provides “practical parenting strategies designed to enhance children’s happiness and emotional health” and explains “what attachment is, how grief and trauma can affect children’s emotional development, and how to improve attachment, respect, cooperation and trust”. The listed parenting techniques are “matched to children’s emotional needs and stages, and checklists are included to help parents assess how their child is doing at each developmental stage”. This book covers a wide range of issues including international adoption, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and learning disabilities. It is also geared as an important resource for adopted professionals.
Wayfinder Family Services
Post adoption resource webpage by Wayfinder Family Services. Lilliput offers support groups, classes, and social events for families in 19 counties throughout Northern California. Lists out post-adoption service locations and lists out some thoughts in how post-adoption services can help
- Scholarships
Family Resource Center on Disabilities: “Scholarships”
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities offers this list of scholarships that are available for “people with disabilities and come from foundations, organizations, or a broad range of other committed providers. The scholarships are open to all college students with disabilities, including students with learning disabilities.”
College Consensus: “35 Scholarships for Students with Disabilities”
College Consensus offers a list of 35 scholarships for students with disabilities. An applicant will generally need proof of a disability before they can find scholarships, financial aid for students with disabilities, or anything offering free tuition. The nature of disability plays a strong role in what kind of aid will be available.
- Scholarships
Scholarships360: “Top 75 Scholarships for Disabled Students in September 2023”
Scholarships360 lists 79 scholarships for disabled students in 2023, and a majority are college related. The descriptions include the title, amount, deadline, and application link.
- Scholarships
Scholarships.com: Disability Scholarships
This article gives a brief history of the Americans with Disabilities, details about scholarships, and a list of possible scholarships. Scholarships listed have a name, deadline, amount, and summary.
- Medical Needs
NCFA: “A Guide to Adoption Subsidies and Assistance for Adoptive Parents”
This article discusses subsidies that provide additional support for adoptees and their families. It explains what they are, who provides the, who is eligible, the process, and tips for the process.
- Medical Needs
Child Welfare Information Gateway: “Adoption and Guardianship Assistance by State”
This article answers the questions “Does your State provide additional finances or services for medical or therapeutic needs not covered under your State medical plan to children receiving adoption assistance?” It proceeds with a state by state breakdown of whether or not each state does.
- Medical Needs
The Special Needs Parent Handbook – 2nd Edition
The book provides practical and useful advice for parents of children with special needs or other disabilities. It includes sections on: Hiring babysitters and free respite help, Finding the best and kindest doctors, Keeping the family together, taking care of your health and more.
- Medical Needs
Wrightslaw Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities
Yellow Pages for Kids is a directory for resources for kids with disabilities across the United States. It lists consultants, psychologists, tutors, therapists, coaches, and other professionals who serve children with disabilities. Their search tool allows the user to narrow by state, and control+f for a nearby zip code.
- Medical Needs
Child Welfare Information Gateway: “Parenting Your Child With Developmental Delays and Disabilities”
A basic overview on identifying a disability in children, the first steps parents can take to address their child’s needs, and strategies for parenting.
- Medical Needs
Family Resource Center on Disabilities
The Family Resource Center is dedicated to “Providing Parents of Children with Disabilities with Information, Training, and Assistance.” Their resource page contains 20 categories on varying subjects for parents of children with disabilities and is available in Spanish.
- Medical Needs
Supportiv: “Mental Health Resources For Disabled People”
This is an ever-growing menu of free resources and ideas for maintaining health with a disability. It discusses insurance, therapy, government programs, and nature programs.
- Community Connection
Gladney Center for Adoption: Adoption Forums
Adoption Forum is an online community forum containing many different threads relating to various aspects of adoptions. Larger categories include adoptive parents, foster care, special needs, adult adoptees, and more. Each category contains multiple subcategories where people can interact with each other and ask/answer questions.
- Medical Needs
Gladney Center for Adoption: “Adopting a Child With Special Needs and Disabilities”
This article discusses considerations potential parents must evaluate prior to adopting a child with special needs and/or disabilities. Subsections include understanding children with special needs and disabilities, what must be done before adopting a child with special needs, choosing an adoption agency, and more.
- Medical Needs
Love Without Boundaries: “Adopting a Child With Special Needs”
Love Without Boundaries’s website contains reference information about common special needs including craniofacial conditions, digestive system conditions, infectious diseases, and more. On the website there is also a family stories page, a resource page (extra packed with info with more information on medical resources and post adoption resources), and a page for the adoption process.
- Medical Needs
No Hands But Ours
No Hands But Ours focuses on the children currently being abandoned in China with special medical needs. The organization contains resources for those in the process of adopting a child from China, already home with their adopted child, or just researching special needs. It was founded and is maintained by adoptive parents that specifically focus on special needs adoption from China. The website comprises information regarding specific special needs, family stories, resources (such as before travel and the first year at home) and also opportunities to connect locally and virtually.
- Medical Needs
Utah’s Adoption Connection: Children with Special Needs
This is digital Lending Library allows prospective adoptive families, foster parents, and adoptive parents to rent books for free. Users can check out up to three items at a time for up to six weeks. Within the Children with Special Needs category there are further categories focused on specific special needs, as well as other categories on general adoption, children’s titles, for parenting, for professionals, and LBGTQ focus.
- Medical Needs
Gladney Center for Adoption: “How We Decided Which Special Needs Boxes to Check on Our Preference Checklist”
This article by an adoptive mother talks about considerations that go into the preference checklist adoptive parents complete. She gives advice on how to not feel overwhelmed while approaching this initial list in sections.
- Medical Needs
RainbowKids: “Special Needs in Children”
Rainbow Kids Adoption & Child Welfare Advocacy section on special needs is a resource for families considering special needs adoption. With thirteen main categories, each has subcategories that explains different information and considerations for adoptive parents. The site itself also houses a list of children waiting to be adopted that prospective parents may visit after creating an account.
- Medical Needs
Medical Home Portal: “Adoption of Children with Special Needs”
An article covering general preparation advice for parents adopting a child with special needs. It covers adoption of children with special needs, getting ready for adoption, choosing an adoption agency, the outline of the adoption process, and a resource section.
- Medical Needs
Gladney Center for Adoption: “Special Needs Adoption Guide: What you need to know when considering special needs adoption”
An article on what parents need to know when it comes to special needs adoption. Different sections explain what special needs adoption is, the medical conditions checklist, having a file reviewed, setting up your support system, facing reality upon arriving home, navigating the medical system, and more.
- Medical Needs
U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs: “Health Considerations”
An article by the U.S Department of State-Bureau of consular affairs. It establishes the difference between convention adoption requirements which normally have an Article 16 requirement, and non-convention requirements. It also establishes reasonable expectations for accredited adoption service providers and visa requirements for a medical examination.
- Medical Needs
CDC: “International Adoption”
A CDC article on vaccinations and disease for parents seeking to adopt internationally. It gives recommendations and information for before overseas travel, the overseas medical examination process, vaccinations, finding a medical provider in the U.S, Class A Conditions, and the Waiver Process.
- Medical Needs
lowcosthealthinsurance.com: “Will my health insurance cover an adopted child?”
This article explains how health insurance works with adopted children. It states most insurance plans covering biological children must cover adopted children; however, it cautions some exceptions exist. It also discusses these exceptions and what parents can do to ensure their child is covered with either Medicaid or through other ways.
- Medical Needs
U.S. Department of Labor: “Protections for Newborns, Adopted Children, and New Parents…The Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996”
An article by the US Department of Labor on protections for newborns, adopted children, and new parents in the context of a health protection act passed in 1996. It explains how the healthcare operates in relation to adoption and the different technicalities involved in securing health surance when adopting.
