Family Reunification Month has been renamed Family Unification Month. The language shift reflects what advocates in this space have been saying for decades: family separation is rarely due to the failure of a family. It is most often the result of inadequate support, systematic pressures, and policy failures. It tells me that it isn't just my algorithm, but that more and more people are working for family preservation. What connection looks like after separation is rarely a simple return to what was. This Family Unification Month let's honor the resilience of those who fight to stay together, those who fight to rebuild, and everyone fighting for family support and preservation.
It's been several years since I posted this on Father's Day, but it is on my mind every June, not just the intention but just how hard the day was for my kid.
I finally got around to watching the shorts from the adoptee film festival and they were SO GOOD! This is well worth your time and also a great way to introduce some deeper adoptee feelings and themes to others. You only have a few months, so grab your ticket now!
Korean Mothers Demand Truth on Forced Overseas Adoptions
Seoul Economic Daily
The Negotiated Surrender: Why the Adoptee Citizenship Act Requires a Stronger Path Forward
Joy Alessi
When search doesn’t lead to reunion: A Bulgarian adoptee’s reality
InterCountry Adoptee Voices
The Algorithmic School-to-Prison Pipeline
Inquest
I want to highlight a book with each newsletter, so we can all continue to grow and learn. AD
Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Allies was written by Sara Easterly, Kelsey Vander Vilet Ranyard, and Lori Holden along with dozens of interviews. This is a book that I hope all of you read as it is a great intro to adoption competency and understanding all members of the adoption constellation.
Review
“Easterly, Vander Vliet Ranyard, and Holden model beautifully in Adoption Unfiltered the complexities of the Both/And of adoption. As someone who has worked in the adoption industry since 1990 I know firsthand the dedication it takes to sit in community with other members of the adoption constellation (in this case an adoptee, a birth/first parent, and an adoptive parent) with the common goal of creating a body of work that is respectful and empathetic, while also critical and innovative. In Adoption Unfiltered, Easterly, Vander Vliet Ranyard, and Holden show us how it's done!” ―Astrid Castro, adoptee and CEO/Founder of Adoption Mosaic
For more recommendations, check out my (affiliate) Amazon Storefront
Mommie Dearest (1981) – Adoption on the Big Screen
Adoption Pop!
For adoptees, Mother’s Day can carry complexity and tough emotions. So we decided to lean all the way into the discomfort with a film legendary critic Roger Ebert called “unremittingly depressing,” writing that he could not “imagine who would want to subject themselves to this movie.” Roger Ebert obviously never met podcast journalist Haley Radke, filmmaker Kristal Parke, and cultural critic Sullivan Summer, all of whom subjected themselves to a film that is two hours and nine minutes of pure activation for adopted people: Mommie Dearest.
[Healing Series] Narcissism in Adoptive Parents with Katy Perkins, LICSW-S
Adoptees On
This is a special episode in our healing series where I interview therapists who are also adoptees themselves, so they know from personal experience what it feels like to be an adoptee. Today we are joined by Katy Perkins to talk about a hot topic in our community, narcissism in adoptive parents. We talk about what it would have looked like to grow up in a family with a narcissistic parent or one with narcissistic tendencies, the impact it could have had on us as kids and now into adulthood. I was fascinated by everything Katy had to share in this conversation and I hope it’s helpful for you!
Diego Vitelli, LMFT
Adoptees On
Today I’m joined by Diego Vitelli, a Colombian adoptee and adoptee-focused therapist. Diego shares his own adoption story with us, including what it has looked like for him to have been assigned an artificial date of birth. We also talk about the accuracy of using terms like “reunion” and “adoption trauma”.
Looking for comprehensive, clinical adoption training? Early bird registration is officially open (through July)! Our Adoption Therapy: An Introduction to Competency Working with the Adoption Constellation workshop is built to completely reframe how clinicians approach adoption-informed care.
Here is what past attendee Kiani Simms, LPC, shared about her experience:
"My favorite part was being able to hear others experiences with being a part of the adoption constellation, in all areas and realizing there is many different ways to work within the constellation."
Did you know that only 8.14% of adoptees rate their therapist as adoption-competent? Dr. Abby Hasberry and I built this training specifically to move that number and equip clinicians with the deep, nuanced insights needed to truly support the adoption constellation.
✅ 14 CEs (including ethics hours!)
📆 January 20-21, 2027Learn more and secure your early bird spot here:https://brooke-randolph.com/consultation-training/adoption-competency-training/
Beth Jaffe - Choiceless: A Silenced Birthmother
NAAP Happy Hour
David B Bohl - Experience, Strength, and Hope
NAAP Happy Hour
Why adoptees need a new kind of village | Cam Lee Small
TEDxMinneapolis
Seeking Research Participants
To participate, you must be 18 years or older, be adopted, and have underwent residential treatment in the Troubled Teen Industry as a teenager.
For adopted women who relinquished children
Abdullah, T. (2026). Perceived Inequality Between Biological and Adopted Siblings and Behavioral Problems Among Adopted Children: The Mediating Role of Emotional Insecurity. Adoption Quarterly, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926755.2026.2669469
ABSTRACT
This study examined the relationships of perceived parental differential treatment (PPDT) with emotional insecurity (EI), aggressive tendencies (AT), and oppositional behaviors (OB) among 712 adopted children aged 10–17 years living with adoptive families in Lahore, Pakistan. Using self-report scales, data were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM). Results indicated that PPDT had significant direct associations with EI, AT, and OB, and EI mediated the relationships between PPDT and both externalizing behaviors. Findings highlight the critical role of emotional security in shaping behavioral outcomes and underscore the importance of equitable and supportive parenting in promoting psychosocial adjustment of adopted children.
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Lee, D. S., Hembree, S., Shepard, M., & Shashoua, M. Y. (2026). Transracial Korean Adoptee, Korean American, and South Korean Adolescent Conceptions of Family and Coming of Age in the Family Context. Adoption Quarterly, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926755.2026.2669470
ABSTRACT
This study examined the unfolding of family and adulthood across differing Korean family contexts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 27 Korean adolescents: 8 Korean Americans (KAs), 9 Transracially Adopted Korean Americans (KADs), and 10 South Koreans (SKs). KADs emphasized the importance of their family’s shared journey in shaping their cultural identities. Alternatively, KAs and SKs more likely reported parental demandingness and paternal emotional/physical distance, with SKs often culturally equipped to interpret their fathers’ communications. SKs and KAs demonstrated culturally infused adulthood perceptions based on traditional gender roles and collectivistic values, while recognizing their parents’ timeless view of them as children.
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de Vries, Shila Khuki, Sarah Janaki Peshala de Vos, Kristen E. Cheney. 2025. ‘If We Do Not Speak Out, No One Else Will’: Adoptee Activism and Its Impact on Intercountry Adoption in The Netherlands. Genealogy 9: 133. https://doi.org/10.3390/ genealogy9040133 (full article)
ABSTRACT
This article highlights the role of adoptee activism in raising awareness and changing policy regarding Intercountry Adoption (ICA) in The Netherlands. Through interviews with a selection of adoptees engaged in activism, this study shows that (i) adoptees became engaged in activism as a result of growing adoptee consciousness in combination with encountering irreconciliation; (ii) they employed many types of activism, sometimes with different goals and strategies; (iii) they cooperated in different constellations and with many allies such as journalists, lawyers and scholars; and (iii) their activism had significant impact on general awareness and government policy. Despite visible progress, reforms have fallen short of their needs, and implementation of government plans remains insecure. Many adoptees therefore feel compelled to continue their activism.
Neuroaffirming Brainspotting Training for Adoption-Competent Therapists
Elevate your clinical toolkit with a brain-based modality beautifully suited for the nuanced layers of adoption work. Our upcoming Phase 1 Brainspotting Training is fully online, explicitly neuroaffirming, and features a flexible schedule tailored for working parents and professionals. Because Brainspotting bypasses the limitations of traditional talk therapy, it allows clients to safely access and process deep-seated developmental trauma and attachment wounds. Expand your specialized practice and meet your professional goals this August. https://brooke-randolph.com/consultation-training/brainspotting-training/brainspotting-phase-1-training/
The Protect Adoptees and American Families (PAAF) Act would:
1) grant all legally adopted people the citizenship they were promised but the gov’t failed to deliver;
2) keep American families together;
3) recognize adoptees as full members of American families, equal to any American parents’ biological children;
4) and fulfill America’s promise that adoption means a full and final family
Add your voice calling for Congress bit.ly/Support-PAAF
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.
Key features of the app include:
- One-click emergency alerts via SMS to pre-selected contacts
- Personalized emergency plans for childcare, medical needs, legal support, and more
- Option to share key information with National Immigration Legal Response Alliance (NILRA) if faced with arrest, a national network of pro bono immigration attorneys
- Currently available in six languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Haitian Kreyol, and French
Unlike paper or PDF-based emergency plans, ReadyNow! is built for real-time response. If users have a run-in with ICE, they simply press the big red alert button and ReadyNow! will send out those emergency messages via SMS to pre-assigned contacts. All data is encrypted, stored only on the user’s device, not on the Cloud, and deleted after an alert is sent—preventing access by ICE if the phone is seized.
Adoptees United’s Citizenship 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.
Adoptee Citizenship Flow Chart
please click on image to enlarge
This website collects community-submitted information about possible ICE activity to help inform the public and raise awareness. All reports are reviewed by a moderator team before appearing on the map and the map is cleared at the end of each day.
Info About Proving Citizenship for Adoptees and Adoptive Parents: Be Informed, Be in Community
by Maureen McCauley
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.
What To Say to Kids About ICE
with downloadable PDF
For Kids: What to Do If You're Worried About ICE
with downloadable PDF
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/know-your-rights-4-immigrants/id6740367633
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nakasec.chunk&hl=en_US
Is Your Citizenship Status Correct?
The Ties Program
Emergency Hotline:
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.
Summer Camps
African / Caribbean Heritage Camp
Camp Dates: June 4-7, 2026
Registration opens January 15, 2026!
Registration Closes April 4, 2026
Location: YMCA Estes Park Center
Chinese Heritage Camp
Camp Dates: September 4-7, 2026
Registration opens January 15, 2026 and Closes August 4, 2026
Location: YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch
Chinese Heritage Camp II
Camp Dates: July 23-26, 2026
Registration Opens January 15 2026 and Closes June 23, 2026
Location: Front Range Community College
Domestic Adoption Camp
Camp Dates: July 16-19, 2026
Registration Opens January 15 2026 & Closes May 16, 2026!
Location: YMCA Estes Park Center
Indian/Nepalese Heritage Camp
Camp Dates: June 11-14, 2026
Registration )pens January 15, 2026 & Closes April 11, 2026!
Location: YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch
Korean Heritage Camp
Camp Dates: June 18-21, 2026
Registration Opens in January 15, 2026!
& Closes April 18, 2026
Location: YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch
Latin American Heritage Camp
Camp Dates: June 11-14, 2026
Registration opens January 15, 2026 and Closes April 11, 2026!
Location: YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch
Slavic / Eastern European / Central Asian Heritage Camp
Camp Dates: July 23-26, 2026
Registration Opens January 15, 2026 & Closes June 23 2026
Location: Front Range Community College
Southeast Asian / Pacific Islander Heritage Camp
Camp Dates; July 9-12, 2026
Registration opens January 15, 2026 and Closes June 9, 2026
Location: Front Range Community College
June 25-28, 2026! , an optional casual camping experience can be added, 24-25th
Join us for this 4 day, 3 night Gathering (with an optional additional night/day) set in the picturesque Mt. Hood National Forest, set on the banks of the salmon river! This family-oriented camp experience is open to all Ethiopians, Ethiopian -Americans, and Ethiopian adoptive families and friends. Share a taste of the traditions from the Horn of Africa and come together to celebrate families in all shapes and sizes.
Family Camp July 30 - August 2, 2026
Location: Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
July 26 - August 8, 2026 Adopted Kids Sleep-away camp
Family Camp July 20-25th, Texas
June 19-21, 2026 or September 18-20, 2026, Columbus, IN
Hope Family Camp 2026
Dates: 2 weekends about 1 month apart -training for first weekend, then check in & adjustment for second weekend
June 11th (4p-8p), June 12th (8a-4p),
July 9th (4p-8p) & July 10th (8a-4p)
Location: Pathfinder Farms: 846 Co Rd 30A, Ashland, OH 44805
Overnight Camp Dates: July 20-25, 2026
Family Day Camp Dates: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
CIT Program July 20-25, 2026
On-Demand Webinar Replay
Events to Note
For Educators & Therapists
June 26-29 Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools conference by ATN, Dallas
September 17-18 Building Resilient Communities for Children Conference by ATN (keynote Bruce Perry)
For Therapists
June 3 From Struggles To Strengths: Reframing The Seven Core Issues In Adoption with Chaitra Wirta-Leiker by Hudson Valley Professional Development
January 20-21 Intro to Adoption Therapy with Dr. Abby Hasberry & Brooke Randolph
January 20-22 Brainspotting with Adoption specialty workshop with Brooke Randolph
For Therapists & Parents
June 24-26 NCFA conference, Washington DC (proposals accepted through September)
First Thursdays PDA 101
For Adoptive Families
November 13-15 UMOJA, Green Lake, Wisconsin
For Foster/Adoptive Parents
June 24 More Than Cake: Understanding Birthdays in Adoption with Tony Hynes by CASE
September 27-30 "Road Trip" for Dads, Colorado
November 18 Home for the Holidays? Navigating Adoption Emotions and the Holiday Season with Tony Hynes by CASE
Monthly meetings Parenting through Disconnection by BPAR
Every other Sunday (additional groups to be scheduled) Adoption/Foster + PDA Support Group by PDANA
Wednesday’s 1:30 PST Zoom Support Group from Fostering Unity
Wednesday’s 6:30 EST Weekly Parent Self-Care from AFFCNY
3rd Tuesdays Adoptive & Foster Parent Peer Support Group by Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
3rd Tuesdays Helping Children Heal from Sexual Abuse from AFFCNY
3rd Thursdays Transracial Adoptive Parent Support Group by Adoption Network Cleveland and Transracial Journeys
3rd Friday’s Single Parent Support Circle from AFFCNY
Fourth Wednesday’s Parents of Young (ages 4-7) Adoptees Group online from Boston Post Adoption Resources
Monthly Parents of Kids (ages 8-10) Adoptee Group online from Boston Post Adoption Resources
Monthly Parents of Teen Adoptees Group online from Boston Post Adoption Resources
Monthly Dad Squad online peer support from AFFCNY
Monthly Single Parents of Adoptees Group online from Boston Post Adoption Resources
in person trainings available from Adoption Network Cleveland
Monthly Foster the Family Support Group meetings live in more than 20 cities
For the Constellation
June 15 Taming the Tropes: In Conversation with Adoption Pop! by AKA
June 25-27 Alliance for the Study of Adoption and Culture Conference, Leeds, UK
September 12 The Constellation: Doing the Work We The Experts by Adoption Mosaic
October 10 Native Adoptees We The Experts by Adoption Mosaic
October 21-22 Families Rising conference
November 6-7 Adoption Knowledge Affiliates virtual conference
November 13-15 Celia Center Arts Festival, Venice, California (submissions open until June 1)
November 14 Reunion & Death We The Experts by Adoption Mosaic
December 12 Adoptees & ADHD We The Experts by Adoption Mosaic
Mondays Better Together Group by Adoption Mosaic
Every Tuesday Addiction & Adoption Constellation Support Group by Celia Center
Every Friday National Association of Adoptees and Parents Happy Hour
1st Tuesdays DNA Discovery Support Group by Adoption Network Cleveland
2nd Sundays Constellation group by CUB
2nd Thursdays DNA Discoveries Peer Group by Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
3rd Thursdays online Search and Reunion Group by Boston Post Adoption Resources
4th Thursdays Migrating Toward Wholeness: Rewriting Adoption Narratives in the Constellation with Liz DeBetta by NAAP
For Children & Teens
Every other Thursday Teen Adopt Connect support group with Lesli Johnson and Angela Gee
1st Tuesdays Adoptee Group for Kids Ages 8-10 (online) from Boston Post Adoption Resources
2nd Tuesdays Tween Adoptee Group for Ages 11-12 (online) from Boston Post Adoption Resources
3rd Tuesdays Teen Adoptee Group age 13-15 (online) from Boston Post Adoption Resources
4th Tuesday’s Teen Adoptee Group age 16-18 (online) from Bost Post Adoption Resources
Virtual AdopTween meetings
For Adoptees
June 19-21 KAAN conference, Denver
June 21 Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon by Adoption Mosaic & Adoptees United
July 17-19 Hygge, Harmony & Hedgehogs Wellness Weekend by Hiraeth, Austin
July 23-26 VOICES conference by BIPOC Adoptees, Portland
October 8-12 Hiraeth Hope & Healing Gathering, Massachusetts
April 22-26 Hiraeth Hope & Healing Gathering, Jersey Shore (accepting proposals through May 16)
July 9-11 Hygge, Harmony & Hedgehogs Wellness Weekend
September 11-13 Adoption: The Making of Me live weekend, Minneapolis
Periodic Mondays Adoptee Processing Group with Katy Perkins Coveney
1st Mondays In-person Adoptee Peer Support Group by AKA, South Austin
1st Monday’s Adult Adoptee Group (online) from Boston Post Adoption Resources
1st Thursday Estrangement Peer Support Group by AKA
1st Thursday Adoptee Support Group with Marie Dolfi
1st Friday Adoptee Peer Support Group by AKA
2nd Monday In-person Women Adoptees Peer Support Group by AKA, North Austin
2nd Tuesdays Transnational Adoptee Support Group by Adoption Network Cleveland
2nd & 4th Fridays By Us For Us Young Adults Adoptees of Color Community Connections with Angela Gee and Robyn Park
Every other Tuesday Adoptee Paths to Recovery addiction support group by NAAP
Bimonthly LGBTQ Adult Adoptee Support Group by Boston Post Adoption Resources
Bimonthly People of Color Adult Adoptee Support Group by Boston Post Adoption Resources
3rd Wednesdays Men’s Adoptee Peer Support Group by Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
3rd Wednesdays Adult Adoptee Only Support Group by Celia Center
3rd Wednesdays Professional Adoptees Networking by AFFCNY
4th Tuesdays Intersecting Identities: Adopted persons who are (or who identify as) Autistic, ADHD, and/or otherwise neurodivergent by Jenna Cacciola & Jodi Moore
4th Thursdays Multicultural Adoptee Women’s Peer Support Group by Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
Final Tuesdays Women Adoptee Peer Support Group by Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
Final Thursdays Adoptees United community talk
Monthly College/University Adoptee Virtual Group details through DM
Enneagram for Adoptees virtual group for ages 25+ by Adoption Connection
Adoptees Connect groups can be found globally
For Adoptees & Birth Parents
June 7 Twice Lost Remembrance Day by CUB
For Birth Parents
October 9-10 CUB Retreat, Seattle
18th of each month Birth First Parents Only Support Group by Celia Center
1st Sundays Birthparent Book Club by On Your Feet Foundation
1st Tuesdays Birthmoms Connect support call from On Your Feet Foundation
1st Wednesdays Birth Mother Support Group by Adoption Network Cleveland
2nd Tuesdays Birth/First Parent Peer Support Group by Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
2nd Thursdays Birthmoms Connect support call from On Your Feet Foundation
3rd Wednesdays Navigating Closed/Reunion Adoption support call from On Your Feet Foundation
3rd Saturday CUB Support Group via Zoom
3rd Sunday CUB Monthly Writer’s Group
4th Mondays Birth/First Parent Peer Support Group by Adoption Knowledge Affiliates
4th Tuesdays Birthmoms Connect support call from On Your Feet Foundation
On Your Feet Foundation has monthly support calls available
Concerned United Birthparents message boards
Thank you for your commitment to practicing excellence!
Brooke Randolph, LMHC, LIMHP, LPC, LPCC-S
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