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Birth Parents Only: Our Journey to Heal

This Facebook group was formed for birth parents. It is a place to confidently and confidentially share thoughts and feelings with others that can understand, no matter what stage the person is. It is a group free of judgement that aims for people to come together and learn from each other.

Parents of Boys Adopted From China

This is a closed Facebook group that is for adoptive parents of boys adopted from China. It is a place of support and connection for parents, as well as for those who are processing and waiting to adopt their own son from China. It is also open to college aged/older males adopted from China.

Creating a Family: “Adopting or Fostering a Child Who Identifies as LGBTQ”

This is a $20 course for adoptive or foster parents on providing a healthy environment to discuss emotional topics with LGBTQ+ youth. It is hosted by the Clinical Director of the Modern Family Center at Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children. It covers topics such as cultural sensitivity, mental health and some issues for the LGBTQ+ community that parents need to be aware of.

Movement Advancement Project (MAP): “Child Welfare Nondiscrimination Laws”

This is a map of child welfare nondiscrimination laws in the United States. You can click on it by state and it will provide quick facts as well as laws and policies. These policies concern foster care, adoption, second and stepparents, and LGBTQ youth in child welfare. This can be used for anyone in the United States who are looking to foster or adopt and is curious to know about the laws of certain states.

PFLAG NYC: API Parents & Caregivers Group

This group meets twice a month for a lunchtime discussion for API parents and caregivers whose children are part of the LGBTQ+ community. They are based in New York City but have virtual meetings on zoom. They also have an events calendar for anyone who can or wants to attend. This is a parent resource for API parents who have LGBTQ+ children.

Creating a Family: “Tips for Raising an LGBTQ Foster or Adopted Child”

This website provides ten tips on raising LGBTQ foster or adopted kids, such as using your child’s preferred pronouns, using gender-neutral language, and letting them know you are willing to listen and talk about anything. This is a great resource for adoptive or foster parents of LGBTQ children.

Free Mom Hugs

Free Mom Hugs is a source that can apply to and benefit the LGBTQ+ community. It is an organization that encourages education, visability, and conversation. On the webpage you can learn more about their education opportunities for everyone through speaking engagements, webinars, interactive discussions, and other programs. You can also search by state to find a chapter in your area.

The Real Mama Bears

Mama Bears is a source that can apply to and benefit the LGBTQ community. The organization supports, educates, and empowers families with LGBTQ members through its programing. It offers private online communities, resources, opportunities to advocate, regional Mama Bear groups, and numerous other methods of support.

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

PA Parent an Family Alliance

The PA Parent and Family Alliance LGBTQ+ Tip Sheet is a great resource that can most apply to and benefit parents who have a LGBTQ+ child. The guide goes over tips on what to do immediately following your child coming out, how to use terminology, and some reputable resources to continue your research.

healthychildren.org: “Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens”

From Healthy Children. Org, this article will most apply to and benefit parents who have LGBTQ+ teens. The article gives explanations and tips to common questions. It also gives recommendations on what parents and families can do, along with more resources that are linked.

Planned Parenthood: “What should I teach my high school-aged teen about identity?”

From Planned Parenthood, this source will most apply to and benefit the parents who want to teach their teenage children about identity. The source gives detailed explanations surrounding questions based on sexuality, safety, relationships, and more. Tips and additional resources are also included.

Rise Magazine: “Resources for LGBTQ Parents and Parents of LGBTQ Children and Youth”

From Rise Magazine, this article will most apply to and benefit the parents who are either LGBTQ+ or have LGBTQ+ children. The article explains the importance of acceptance and provides a list of resources

Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Tips for Parents of LGBTQ Youth”

From John Hopkins, this article will most apply to and benefit the parents who have LGBTQ+ children. In the article, Johns Hopkins pediatrics and adolescent medicine specialists share tips on how to provide support to LGBTQ+ children. The article also provides additional resources.

The Trevor Project: “Behaviors of Supportive Parents and Caregivers for LGBTQ Youth”

From the Trevor Project, this article will most apply to and benefit the parents who have LGBTQ+ children. In the article it explores the behaviors of supportive parents and caregivers for LGBTQ youth and explains that supportive behaviors are associated with lower suicide risk among LGBTQ kids.

Medical News Today: “8 of the best online therapy programs for kids”

From Medical News Today, this article can most apply to and benefit parents who are interested in learning about therapy for their children. This article covers some different types of child therapy and child therapy techniques, how to know if a child needs therapy, how to explain therapy to a child, how to find a child therapist, child therapy costs and options, and more.

Nemours Children’s Health: “Taking Your Child to a Therapist”

From KidsHealth, this article can most apply to and benefit parents who are interested in learning about therapy for their children. In this article you can learn what therapy is, what problems they help with, how it works, and can answer other popular questions related to therapy for children.

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP): Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder

From the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, this therapist locator can most apply to and benefit parents who are interested in searching for a therapist for their child. After agreeing to the website’s terms, you can search by location. On the brief profile, you can find possible candiate’s names, location, and contact information.

William James College: “Guide for Parents of Asian/Asian American Adolescents”

From William James College Center of Excellence for Multicultural and Global Mental Health (CMGMH), this guide will most apply to and benefit parents of Asian/Asian American Adolescents. The guide and accompanying video is available in six languages. The guide covers the history of Asian-American Discrimination in the U.S, history of Asians fighting discrimination, why it’s important to talk about it, how to talk about it, and further resources.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NACAC: Find a Parent Group

The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) offers a search directory that allows people to filter by many different categories in order to find support groups in both the US and Canada. There are around 26 categories that include but are not limited to single parent, birth parent, pre-adoption, and post-adoption. The directory can also be searched alphabetically.

Adoption Network: “How to Find Support Groups for Adoptive Parents”

This article explains the benefits of parent support groups for parents of adoptees. It includes a section on single parents as well as on couples, and provides a few starting links for those looking.

Capital Adoptive Families Alliance (CAFA): Support Groups

Capital Adoptive Family Alliance (CAFA) provides a page on the importance of support groups and links to their own support group. The CAFA Support Group offers general support to parents and caregivers raising their adoptive (or soon to be adoptive) children. The support group meetings are free, parent-led, and meet every 4th Thursday.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Adoption Support Alliance

The Adoption Support Alliance offers an Adoption 101 course designed for anyone considering growing their family through adoption. The class discusses different aspects surrounding adoption, including the logistics of both domestic and international adoption, how to deal with grief and trauma, birth family relationships, and more. The ASA also offers classes on ‘Race, Culture & Adoption’ and ‘Adoption Training for Church Communities.’

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.

Child Welfare Information Gateway: “Preadoption Training”

“Different types of adoption training are available to help prospective and adoptive parents learn more about the different aspects of adoption. The Child Welfare Information Gateway has compiled a list of different trainings that may be required and are useful for parents looking to understand more about their child and their development. “

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.

Holt International: “Parenting Adoptees”

Holt International is a Christian organization that offers programs including Post-Adoption Coaching & Education (PACE) and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). Both programs help parents to work with their children. Holt also provides resources on racial and adoptee identity, birth parents, and privilege and international adoption. All of these sections have links and videos designed to help parents understand their child.

America World Adoption: “Adoption Training”

America World Adoption is a Christian adoption agency offering ‘Anchored in Hope: Strengthening Adoptive Families’ which is designed to help families prepare for the placement of a child and to equip them to meet the unique needs of their child in a 10 hour curriculum. They also offer courses for preparing for after adoption with shorter training around 1 ½ hours. AWAA’s other resources include webinars and individual appointments.

Adoption Training Online

From the Children’s Aid Society of Alabama, several paid trainings are offered. There are Hague approved bundles. Trainings are various- spanning from domestic adoption, medical courses, and mental health

Gladney Center for Adoption: “Why Are Foster Care and Adoption Training Required?”

This article explains why foster care and adoption training is required. It discusses pre-service training, foster parent in-service training, post-adoption training, kinship-specific training, and more. The author also provides general advice about learning through parenting experience and how it is a journey.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Therapy Chat: “195: The Trauma of Adoption”

This episode considers how attachment trauma can affect adopted children and adoptive parents. The hosts also discuss how adoption can change relationships within a family and between the family and their community.

The Honestly Adoption Podcast: “What Are Post-Adoption Services And Why Do Parents Need Them?”

A 30 minute podcast where two adoptive parents host an interview and discuss the different post-adoption services that adoptive parents may need and how they can benefit by utilizing these services.

White Sugar Brown Sugar

A blog by a Christian mom about her adopted children. Although she doesn’t disclose names or faces out of respect, she describes her adoptions as domestic, transracial, and open

The Seattle Times: “Adoption across races: ‘I know my parents love me, but they don’t love my people’”

“Adoptee Angela Tucker discusses how she felt like a racial impostor growing up. She explains that she may have looked Black, but didn’t feel that way.”

NCFA: “Talking to Adopted Children About Birth Parents and Families of Origin: How to Answer the ‘Hard Questions'”

Things adoptive parents should know relating to discussion about an adoptees birth family. The author argues adoptive parents must be open to discussing these things.

NCFA: “The Impact of Adoption on Teen Identity Formation”

This article explores the ways in which adoption can affect adolescents’ formation of identity.

NCFA Intercountry Adoption Journey

“Held through the National Council for Adoption, this 10-hour course fulfills the training requirements of countries that are party to the Hague Adoption Convention and provides a solid foundation for all prospective parents pursuing intercountry adoption.”

Twisted Sisterhood

“A podcast for birth moms, by birth moms. Ashley Mitchell and Kelsey Vander Vliet Ranyard have a decade between their adoption placements. They address raw and real emotions and experiences, and have other birth mom guests on the show to join in on the conversation.”

NCFA: “Positive Practices in Transracial Adoption Parenting”

“In the article, an adoptee suggests parents bring up the topic of adoption first and work with their children to understand their feelings.”

Adoption Network: “Understand Your Adopted Child”

“This article explains how adoptees have felt loss and experienced trauma. Every adoptee experiences things differently, and this author brings their own perspective.”

NCFA: “Being a Birth Mom Changed the Way I Parent”

A birth mom reflects on giving up her first daughter to adoption, and giving birth to two children after.

NCFA: “What You Should Know About Choosing Adoption”

“This article has short drop down answers to FAQs relating to questions birth parents and parents looking to adopt may have about adoption.”

Adoption: The Long View Podcast

“The host Lori Holden is an adoptive mom herself and her children are in contact with their both parents. Lori explores and examines all different aspects of being a mom and an adoptive mom. While not everything she mentions may be agreed with by all parents, her lived experience may resonate more with parents than a clinical standpoint.”

Creating a Family: “Helping Your Adopted Child Handle Adoption Microaggressions”

“Short article that identifies different variations of microaggressions that are particular to adoption. It also teaches strategies to instill confidence and coping strategies for children when handling microaggressions.”

NCFA: “Is Anyone Out There?: Finding Support as a Birth Mother”

“A first person perspective from a birth mother on adoption, loss, and finding support after birth. She explains the loss felt after placing her child for adoption, and how she found support by speaking with another mom experiencing the same feelings.”

The World I Live In: “I am a mother, grandmother and a birth mother”

A birth mother speaks on her decision to give up one of her children.

NCFA: “Educational Webinars for the Adoption Community”

These webinars by the National Community for Adoption cover a wide range of topics: post adoption, school based support for adoptees, Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), LGBTQ competency for adoption professionals, as well as financing adoption. They have a library of on-demand webinars designed to meet the needs of today’s adoption professionals and offer supportive education to adoptive families.

Adoptive Families Association of BC: Adoption Education Program Online

“The AEP-Online program is designed to provide prospective adoptive parents with a strong foundation of knowledge for caring for their adopted child. This program fulfills the legal requirements for adoption education in British Columbia. The AEP-Online Foundations takes place over 15 weeks and covers the legal, social, and emotional aspects of adoption. Because the program is online, lessons are taught through a variety of media and assignments can be completed at your convenience.”

Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew

The book’s description is written by an adoptee herself. She discusses 20 things that adopted children may fear and want to discuss with their parents.

Creating a Family: “A Dialog Between an Adoptive Parent and an Adult Adoptee”

“The article is an adoptive parent sharing concerns and how reading adoptee voices scares her. In this blog, an adult adoptee responds section by section and addresses these fears while still asking that adoptee voices be listened to. While short and only one viewpoint, still a good starting point for scared adoptive parents to read.”

Angela Tucker: The Adopted Life

A workshop led by Angela Tucker, a transracial adoptee. Her website describes the workshop as the following: Adoptees of color who are parented by white people have different needs than their non-adoptive counterparts and are well-served by thoughtful attention to the intersectionality of race, culture and identity by all in their life – not just their parents. This workshop is fully customized and invites all of the people in that child’s life to come together for a 2-hour virtual workshop, facilitated by Angela. Families leave with a deeper understanding of how transracial adoptees grow through the development stages of racial awareness to racial identity, and practical skills for how to handle insensitive or racist remarks.

Adoption Associates: “Openness in Adoption”

“A short article offering suggestions mainly to prospective adoptive parents, but also current adoptive parents. It includes topics such as birth families, the search and reunion process, and maintaining openness.”

Children’s Bureau: “Parenting in Racially and Culturally Diverse Adoptive Families”

A PDF created by the Children’s Bureau and Child Welfare Information Gateway that explains relevant things adoptive parents should know, especially concerning transracial or culturally diverse adoptions.

Child Welfare Information Gateway: “Adoption by Family Type: Racially and Culturally Diverse Families”

“Landing page by Child Welfare Information Gateway with links to resources for adoptive parents looking for information on racially and culturally diverse adoptions. “

National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) for Foster and Adoptive Parents

“””The National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) is a new curriculum that is based on research and input from experts, families who have experience with fostering or adopting children, and former foster and adoptive youth. It provides potential foster or adoptive parents with the information and tools needed to parent a child who has experienced trauma, separation, or loss. It is a state-of-the-art classroom and online program that helps to prepare prospective foster and adoptive parents to be successful parents. In addition, the NTDC gives parents access to information and resources needed to continue building skills once they have a child in their home. While not yet available, “The curriculum will be free and readily accessible to all states, counties, territories, child welfare agencies, tribal nations and adoption service providers in 2022.”

American Adoptions NEWS: “25 Helpful Resources for Transracial Adoptive Families”

A resource page with links to transracial adoption blogs and websites, books, FB groups, and more.

NPR: “White Kid, Black Family: Transracial Adoption”

“A Black father speaks about his and his family’s experience raising a white girl and transracial adoption.”

Rudd Adoption Research Program UMASS Amherst: “Promoting Adoptees’ Well-Being in Transracial Adoptive Families”

“An article with parenting suggestions designed to support and uplift transracially adopted children. It also contains a useful bibliography which features even more resources.”

NCFA: “The Adoptive Parent’s Responsibility when Parenting a Child of a Different Race”

“An article by the National Council for Adoption on the different ways adoptive parents can and need to support their children. This specifically discusses the issues, privileges, and challenges of adopting a child of a different race. “

Adoptive Families: “How to Be an Anti-Racist Adoptive Parent”

An article on how to actively challenge racism and discuss privilege, especially in the context of a multiracial family.

NBC News: “All-American, with one foot in China”

A short article perspective on the need for adoptive parents to educate their Chinese adopted daughters about racism, identity, and the reality of life in America.

AdoptUSKids: “Florida post-adoption support”

“A landing page for post-adoption support services available to families who live in Florida.”

“Raising Our Multiracial Family”

“A Black woman shares her story of raising her family of 4 children including one white, adopted son. Insta- @raisingculturesfamily , tiktok- @raisingcultures”

NPR: “A Mother Reflects On Privilege, Adoption And Parenting ‘Without Perfection'”

“NPR 37 minute listen as a white mom reflects on her life raising two adopted Black children and two biological white children, and how she became aware of her own white privilege. She also has a blog called Rage Against the Minivan.”

NACAC: “Transracial Adoption: Love is Just the Beginning”

“A first person perspective by Deb Reisner (North American Council on Adoptable Children member), mother to a family with a blend of African American, Native American, Latino, and European American races and cultures. She details the importance of listening to her children about their experiences with racism and family methods of externalizing racism.”

HuffPost: “10 Things Adoptees Want You to Know”

“An article written by an adoptee on the 10 things adoptees want you to know. While 10 things does not cover everything, the author touches on many relevant aspects and experiences that adoptees have. “

American Adoptions: “4 Unique Challenges Faced By Transracial Adoptees”

“An article on American Adoptions that examines 4 challenges that many adoptees will have to face (also included in race education).”

The Honestly Adoption Company

“The Honestly Adoption Company is fiercely committed to helping parents gain insight into their child, change their parenting approach, and in turn, transform their family. Their podcast helps adoptive parents with children of all ages to better understand adoptees; however it is primarily focused towards those with adoptees under 16. “

NPR: “The Parenting Dilemmas Of Transracial Adoption”

“This article touches on color blind parenting and how parents must acknowledge we don’t live in a colorblind society. It is a 37 minute listen on NPR and a short summary is provided. “

The New York Times: “IDENTITY: When Parents Adopt a Child and a Whole Other Culture”

A New York Times article on how adoptee identity is a complex issue that is unique for each adoptee. It discusses how parents are not only adopting a child, but also their child’s culture.