New legislation, Adoptee Remembrance Day, Research, and Opportunities
Published 6 months ago • 22 min read
It's hard to believe it is almost October. The beginning of the month sent me to Midland, Texas, to train the counselors at High Sky Children's Ranch. Of course I appreciate any organization willing to invest in real adoption competency for their therapists and case workers, but I am also impressed by their Executive Director Kelsee Jones and Director of Therapeutic Services Amanda Lopez, LPC-S. Good leadership makes a huge difference in an organization. I think everyone learned quite a bit and I am glad to know that they exist. Two significant bills introduced in the 119th U.S. Congress have particular relevance for our work. H.R. 4732, known as the Orphanage Trafficking Prevention and Protection Act, aims to expand the legal definition of “severe forms of trafficking in persons” to explicitly include recruitment, harboring, transport, transfer, or receipt of children in orphanages or institutions when those actions are done for exploitative or trafficking purposes. This bill would strengthen U.S. mechanisms for oversight, reporting, and prevention of the misuse of orphanage systems globally—thereby potentially reducing abuses in the intercountry adoption ecosystem.
H.R. 5492 is a bipartisan bill that would grant U.S. citizenship to intercountry adoptees who were previously denied it by a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. I am hopeful that framing the legislation as the Protect Adoptees and American Families Act, while retaining the title Adoptee Citizenship Act, will improve its reception compared to earlier proposals in recent years. More info is below about how you can contact your representatives and share this with others.
One thing I don’t talk about often is that I appeared on The Biggest Loser as a “family member” during season 5. I was just a “family member”, but it did lead me to the position of being the mental health expert contributor for DietsInReview.com back in the heyday of blogging, so I stayed tuned into the show for years. I remember when Jillian Michaels said she was going to adopt and feeling uncomfortable with her reason, but she fell out of the limelight and I haven’t been tracking her as yet another celebrity transracial adoptive parent to a Black child. Jillian’s recent comments on CNN seemed like such interesting timing with the documentary coming out on Netflix. As I watched the documentary, I looked forward to the commentary from adult adoptees who remember how she motivated people and how that may translate to her parenting style. I was also struck how she dug her heels in despite the recommendations of medical professionals. Here is one commentary from a transracial adoptee that is very much worth the read.
Adoptee Remembrance Day – October 30th serves as a beacon of awareness, remembrance, and solidarity. It is a day that brings to light the often-overlooked crimes committed against adoptees by their adoptive parents—atrocities that are seldom recognized by the media. This day offers us a sacred space to mourn and honor the lives of our brothers and sisters who have tragically been lost, ensuring they are never forgotten. Through this collective act of remembrance, we confront the harsh reality of adoptee suicide, shedding light on a topic that is difficult yet essential to address. In doing so, we express profound love and respect for the adoptee community, reminding the world that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends, and lovers.
Adoptee Remembrance Day also provides a platform for our allies to stand with us, to memorialize those who have died too soon, and to acknowledge the profound loss all adoptees experience, even before they are adopted. It is a day that underscores the need to recognize and address the lifelong impact of adoption-related trauma.
Tragically, the number of adoptees murdered by their adoptive parents is on the rise globally. Adoptee Remembrance Day is a time to honor their legacy by dedicating a day to their memory. While those who have passed are no longer able to share their stories, many adoptees today are courageously stepping forward to speak for the voiceless. We are the voice of the voiceless, carrying forward their stories and struggles.
We also stand in solidarity with international adoptees who live without citizenship and those who have been deported due to the failures of adoptive parents, adoption agencies, attorneys, and the broader U.S. adoption system. Many of these adoptees have endured abuse and neglect, including issues related to their citizenship, at the hands of their adoptive parents. We honor those who did not survive or are struggling to survive their deportations to countries they left as children—countries where they have no support network and limited access to essential services like mental health care, food, clothing, and shelter. The lack of citizenship is a tragic and often overlooked issue within the adoptee community, and we encourage you to visit Adoptees for Justice to learn more.
We also recognize the survivors of the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) within our community. These adoptees, who were subjected to abusive environments under the guise of treatment, have endured unimaginable pain. Adoptee Remembrance Day shines a light on their stories, acknowledging the additional layers of trauma they have faced. By including the voices of TTI survivors, we emphasize the importance of bringing every aspect of the adoptee experience into the light, ensuring no one is left behind.
This day also recognizes the countless adoptees who have been incarcerated, those left in mental health facilities, and the many who struggle with substance abuse. These issues are deeply intertwined with the trauma of adoption and are often hidden from view. Incarcerated adoptees face a justice system that frequently fails to understand the complexities of their experiences. Adoptees left in mental health facilities often suffer in silence, their struggles dismissed or misunderstood. The battle with substance abuse is a reality for many adoptees who turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the unresolved pain of their past. Adoptee Remembrance Day calls attention to these critical issues, advocating for better understanding, support, and treatment for adoptees facing these challenges.
We aim to spark conversations about the adoptees who did not make it—those whose memories are lost, never to be found. What about the adoptees who have not yet found a community of their own? What about those who have not made it to the other side of healing, or those for whom healing may never be possible? What if you lost an adoptee? Does grieving last forever?
While our primary goal is to uplift the legacy of those who are no longer with us, we also seek to share the truth of how adoption has impacted each of us. October 30th is our day of truth, transparency, and remembrance—a day for adoptees around the world to come together and be seen. It is also a day to remember the heartbreaking loss that all adoptees experience, a loss that deserves acknowledgment. We must recognize that all adoptions begin with profound, multi-layered loss.
This day is also for the families and friends who have lost a loved one to adoption. Perhaps you are searching for them but cannot find them, or maybe you had an open adoption that was suddenly closed. Perhaps you are a birth parent who lost a child to adoption. We see you. This day is for you, too.
Whether you are an adoptee, an adoptive parent, a biological parent, a friend, or a sibling of an adoptee, you are invited to participate in Adoptee Remembrance Day. Together, we are creating a day—October 30th—that highlights these critical issues and sparks much-needed conversations about the adoptee experience as told by those who have lived it.
🚨BREAKING: Congress introduces the Protect Adoptees and American Families (PAAF) Act!
This bill would repair existing legislation so that all adoptees who were legally adopted by American parents are ensured U.S. citizenship.
Due to systemic flaws (like lack of oversight and a date loophole in legislation), not all adoptees were granted citizenship. As a result, they live in fear and under threat of separation from their families and the only home they know. Despite the fact that adoptees were brought to the United States to form American families these flaws mean that some adoptees have been subject to detention and deportation.
PAAF would repair this oversight and ensure that adoptees are equal members of their families, and have the same rights and opportunities as any American parents’ biological children would.
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:
CONTACT YOUR MEMBER(S) OF CONGRESS: Contacting your personal Members of Congress is an impactful way to urge them to take action. As a constituent, your Member of Congress is duty-bound to represent you and to listen to your concerns and interests. Call and email your Members and urge them to support the PAAF Act that includes ALL adoptees. (We provide the scripts!)
DONATE: Help sustain our work by making a financial donation to Adoptees For Justice. Your donation can go towards our general operating costs, to support mutual aid efforts for adoptees without citizenship, and/or to provide legal support for directly-impacted adoptees. Click here to donate today.
As we work on leveling up our knowledge and skill with working with the adoption constellation, I believe some of the best learning comes through case presentation, discussion, and consultation.
Participants get to lead the content for this group. Bring any case you would like help with or just to listen and share. And, yes, we will talk about the various iterations for the Constellation Set-ups for Brainspotting with the Adoption Constellation as they fit for each case as well as a variety of other resources.
This is one of my absolute favorite groups, and I hope you can join us. This is an online group, although the scheduler that we use says it is in-person. I will be sending a meeting link and calendar invite to all participants. The scheduler allows me to get a consultation group agreement signed, and lets you securely enter your credit/debit card information. (Don't forget that this should be tax deductible and professional growth, but check with your local CPA to be sure). Just $60
Your kids are now adults with their own thoughts and feelings about adoption; unfortunately love is not enough for you to engage in tough conversations about adoption with your adult adoptees. Be a part of a community that is learning to think deeply and critically about adoption and practice talking about the tough stuff. Click here to learn more.
Your Quotes for a Blog
If you are a member of the adoption constellation, would you add a word or a few to this google form to help me write a blog for Adoption Knowledge Affiliates about why community and connection are so important for the adoption constellation?
In Evangelical homes across the United States, sex outside of marriage is a sin against God. So, when Abbi becomes pregnant at 16, her devout parents hide her away at the Liberty Godparent Home, a little-known facility for pregnant teens on the campus of Liberty University. The Home says it helps girls decide what comes next – whether that’s parenting their babies or placing them for adoption. But inside the facility, the girls hear a different message: God wants their babies to go to more “deserving” Christian couples. Some girls will find the strength to fight back. Others will have no choice but to give in. And some, like Abbi, will turn their grief into resistance – and take a stand against the system before more mothers lose their children to adoptions they never wanted.
Astrid Castro, founder and CEO of Adoption Mosaic—an adoptee-led, BIPOC woman-founded nonprofit—has dedicated over three decades to serving the adoption constellation through innovative, adoptee-centered programs, events, courses, and consultations. Adopted from Colombia at the age of four (along with her older sister), Astrid’s life's work and interest in adoption shifted dramatically after reuniting with her birth/first mother in 2011, when she discovered she had been kidnapped and sold through the black market of adoption. Everything changed from that moment, reshaping not only her personal journey but also her professional commitment. Prior to creating Adoption Mosaic, Astrid worked in both the private and public sectors of adoption, including at the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC), Holt International, and the Rocky Mountain Adoption Exchange. Her work continues to highlight the adoptee experience and expand access to essential post-adoption services for individuals and families.
Thank you, Cherish, for offering to be the firs therapist for AKA's new quarterly Ask a Therapist event for the adoption constellation! Anyone else interested in volunteering, please let me know.
I want to highlight a book with each newsletter, so we can all continue to grow and learn. AD
The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be by biracial transracial adoptee Shannon Gibney is part memoir, part speculative fiction about the life she could have had, and part speculative fiction to explore her ghost kingdom*. Regardless of the factual truth of the words, it is an excellent dive into the deep thoughts and feelings of someone growing up adopted and someone growing up racially different than their raising family.
The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be says it is for ages 14-17; it earned a Michael L. Printz Honor. It would be completely appropriate for a teen, but it did not present as YA literature to me. It has depth and twists that make it richer than may typical novels. I very much recommend it to anyone working with adoptive families and/or adoptees, regardless of age. *A Ghost Kingdom is a concept, coined by psychologist Betty Jean Lifton, referring to the internal, imagined world of "what-if" scenarios about a person's biological family that an adoptee creates to process the trauma and loss of adoption
For more recommendations, check out my (affiliate) Amazon Storefront
Dr. Abby Hasberry and I would like to share with you the upcoming Intro (because you never fully arrive) to Adoption Competency training that we are doing which is open to all therapists and students.
✨ The adoption constellation deserves access to more therapists with more knowledge and understanding. We believe all therapists are working with the adoption constellation, and we all have more to learn.
💲 Discounts are available for provisionally licensed professionals, students, as well as an access & inclusion rate, which is accessible to all adoptees and birth parents. We want everyone who wants to be there to be able to be!
✅ 14 CE hours are included through Practice Excellence, NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7601 or through academic sponsorship by the University of Georgia School of Social Work as required by Rule 135-B under the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists.
This training will include:
adoption competency information,
working with all members of the adoption constellation & those impacted by foster care,
working with children, adults, & families,
special populations within the adoption population,
racism in adoption & foster care,
conceptualization, diagnosis, goals, and modalities for adoption therapy
Open to adopted people age 21+, in the U.S.Mondays at 6:30p EST (5:30p CST), cost is $65 per session. Please let me know which ones you would like to sign up for. You don't have to plan all the way thru 2026, just listing them here to keep all in one place. If the majority can't make a date we can discuss in group whether you'd like to reschedule or cancel together. If you're interested in referring clients please let them know that they will be asked to meet with Katy virtually for up to 30 min to assess goodness of fit before their first meeting.
2025 9/8, 9/22, 10/6, 11/10, 11/24, 12/1, 12/8 2026 1/26, 2/9, 2/23, 3/9, 3/23, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11 Related dates: 10/20 (virtual meetup for folks attending the retreat)10/25, adoptee retreat day in Dallas TX area. Registration will be available soon.
Immigration Resources
Since not all sources agree on some points, it is a good idea to read several. Below are just a few related to adoptees specifically.
Adoptees United’sCitizenship Clinic assists intercountry adopted people with US citizenship or immigration issues. The clinic’s services include legal screenings, consultation and advice about legal options, and legal representation to secure a Certificate of Citizenship or, if needed, a Certificate of Naturalization.
AFFCNY has put together two really thorough lists of resources. The Immigration Resources pictured below includes a listing of several legal resources and other information. The Citizenship Resource for Intercountry Adoptees resources is also full of very helpful links. They have also invited Greg Luce to be a Keynote for their May conference.
NAKASEC also has a 24/7 hotline, where you can call and receive live confidential assistance in English or Korean. If you or someone you love is confronted by police/ICE/CBP or has been detained, you can call 1 844 500 3222 for immediate support. For non-emergency calls, such as requesting help determining your immigration status, please contact legal@adoptees4justice.org.
On Your Feet Foundation is seeking licensed therapists (LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCs, and licensed mental health professionals) who specialize in adoption-competent therapy and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD) to join our groundbreaking group practice as independent contractors.
About On Your Feet Foundation
On Your Feet Foundation is the only secular, independent non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to improving outcomes in adoption through direct service to birthparents. Founded in 2001, we have recognized for over two decades that adoption is both a human rights and reproductive rights issue, and we are committed to providing the comprehensive support, services, and community that birthparents deserve.
As the pioneer in adoption-competent care, On Your Feet Foundation provides case management, access to adoption-competent therapy, therapeutic retreats, education and counseling grants, adoption education and community-building, and advocacy through Activism in Adoption. In 2023, we served 582 birthparents across 46 states and Canada. Since 2015, we have served over 1,000 birthparents, awarded 183 grants totaling over $72,000, and conducted therapeutic retreats since 2005.
We are now expanding our clinical services through a revolutionary group practice model that addresses a critical gap in care: Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) in birthparents.
What We Look for at On Your Feet Foundation
Clinical expertise in adoption-competent therapy and a deep understanding of the unique psychological needs of birthparents
Specialized training or experience in treating PMAD, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and trauma in the context of adoption placement
Understanding of disenfranchised grief and complex loss processes unique to birthparents
Proficiency in psychotherapy models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Attachment Theory, and Grief and Loss therapy
Deep understanding of adoption dynamics, including open and closed adoption relationships, birthparent rights, and the lifelong nature of the adoption experience
Knowledge of the intersection of adoption trauma, reproductive justice, and perinatal mental health
Empathetic and non-judgmental approach with strong verbal and written communication skills
Comfort with virtual platforms, electronic health records, and digital communication tools
Excited to join a pioneering program dedicated to serving a historically underserved and marginalized population
Commitment to ongoing education about adoption issues, birthparent experiences, and PMAD treatment
Program Benefits for Contractors
Contractors choose preferred hours and days to see clients and will be added to our NPI 2 group practice. On Your Feet Foundation handles all credentialing with major commercial plans and Medicaid. Therapists are compensated commensurate with experience.
Contracted providers use our secure, HIPAA-compliant EHR system and receive:
Ongoing training in adoption-competent care and PMAD treatment
Connection to our broader network of adoption professionals
Regular consultation on complex adoption and PMAD cases
Access to specialized resources and assessment tools
Are you an Asian man or masculine-identifying Asian living in the US?
Are you between the ages of 18-45?
Your insights will help us better understand the needs, interests, experiences, and perspectives of men + masc folx in our community. By taking a few minutes to fill out this survey, you’ll help guide our work, shape our programs and services, and ensure your voice is heard.
AND as our way of saying thank you, you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $50 gift card.
Anica Falcone-Juengert, a transracial, Chinese adoptee and student at Whittier College, is currently recruiting Chinese American adoptees to share their thoughts and opinions about family. Questions: afalcone@poets.whittier.edu
Hillman, S., Lajmi, N., Nezi, K., Steele, M., Hodges, J., Simmonds, J., & Kaniuk, J. (2025). Intergenerational transmission of attachment: A qualitative study on eight adopted children. Adoption & Fostering, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/03085759251372632
ABSTRACT
This study reports on the attachment representations of eight late-adopted adolescent individuals, as well as the similarities and differences in their narratives based on whether they were placed with adoptive parents, who were characterised as securely or insecurely attached according to the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). A thematic analysis drew upon data from two different measures (Story Stem Assessment Profile and Friends and Family Interview) at early childhood and early adolescence, and subsequently classified findings into two categories: positive representations/attachments and negative representations/attachments. Within the first category, the young individuals demonstrated themes of seeking, offering and receiving help, as well as viewing significant others as emotionally supportive. Within the second category, themes illustrated adults as vulnerable, neglectful and hostile, and young individuals as violent and with a relatively negative view of the self. For young people adopted by ‘secure’ parents, positive representations showed a progressive increase from childhood to adolescence and negative representations a marked decrease in adolescence. Such findings contribute to attachment research, exploring the intergenerational transmission of attachment beyond childhood, as well as in adoptive families where the identified attachment model of both parents is assessed. They also have important implications for adoption services and the support made available for adoptive families.
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Berman, A., Ruderman, M. A., Ordaz, A. C., Waterman, J., & Langley, A. (2025). Belonging and Reclaiming Identity: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Youth Adopted From Foster Care in Transracial Families. Adoption Quarterly, 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926755.2025.2557211 (full text)
ABSTRACT
It is not uncommon for adoptive parents to adopt children of a different race/ethnicity than themselves, with approximately 28% being transracial adoptions. Yet, the unique experiences of these youth remain underexplored. This mixed-methods study examined how they navigate complex identities. Thirty-five youth adopted from foster care completed surveys about their adoption experiences, and nine transracially adopted youth participated in key informant interviews. Quantitative analyses indicated broad adjustment outcomes with no significant differences between transracial and same-race adoptees. Qualitative findings revealed challenges in belonging, trust, and caregiver connection. Findings highlight the importance of racial-ethnic socialization and culturally responsive adoption practices.
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Park, S. (2025, July 1). Impact of heritage tourism on ethnic and linguistic identity : The narrative of an elder Korean adoptee in the USA. Earticle. https://www.earticle.net/Article/A470730
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to examine the perception of ethnic and linguistic identity in an elder Korean adoptee, Susan, who was adopted to the United States after the Korean War and now resides there. The study focuses on changes in her identity before and after her heritage tour to Korea. It also investigates how her repeated visits to Korea influenced her motivation to learn the Korean language, particularly as her sense of belonging developed over time. Through her narrative, the study shows that identity is reshaped through lived experience. Susan adjusted to her white adoptive family and community during her childhood and adolescence, and regarded herself not as an adopted Korean but as a member of a white American family. However, after her first visit to Korea in middle age, she began to view herself as “an outsider within” (McKee, 2016) due to her limited language skills and cultural distance. This study highlights how ethnic and linguistic identities are interconnected. Susan’s repeated heritage tours to Korea strengthened her emotional bond with her birth country. These experiences also motivated her to learn the Korean language and helped her better understand her evolving identity.
Therapists, If you are near Indianapolis and curious...
Brainspotting is one of the modalities that fits what I think is needed for competent Adoption Therapy
On-Demand Webinar Replay
Events to Note
For Educators & Therapists February 16-17 Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools online conference by ATN (proposals accepted through July 15)
