I hope you took some time to mark Adoptee Remembrance Day or at least read some of the many posts. As we roll into November, please do not forget the awareness in National Adoption Awareness Month. While National Adoption Awareness Month started as a way to promote adoption, adoptees and birth parents have pushed for the month to be focused more on awareness. For more about the history check out this blog by OYFF. It is important for us to remember that this month can be full of triggers for adoptees and first parents, especially as agencies use it as a platform for advertisement - and to even offer discounts. Wrapping in a holiday (in the US) that promotes thankfulness just adds to the triggers.
The problem with raising awareness of children that need families is twofold. First, it can be perceived as convincing or encouraging people to adopt, and second, it encourages a consumer mentality in adoptive parents. We have had too many decades of people interested in adoption and then finding out later - or outright ignoring - all it takes to parent children who have experienced early parental separation. Kids who are waiting need adults who get that it isn't the same, that they have lots to learn, and that it isn't about them. What we don't need are people being convinced to adopt or people who have any expectations beyond parenting a child for the rest of their lives through all of the tough stuff.
The awareness that we do need about adoption includes statistics, real lived stories, the impact of platitudes and the common narrative, history, adoptees without citizenship, etc.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism announced a new initiative titled “Journey to Root” to help Ethiopian-born adoptees living abroad reconnect with their ancestral homeland and strengthen their cultural identity. It appears to be organized tours for adoptees created by the government. The initiative was jointly developed by the Ministry of Tourism, the Ethiopian Diaspora Service, the Addis Ababa Tourism Commission, Hareg Audio-Visual Production, and members of the adoptee community in Sweden, according to the ministry. Initial reactions from adoptees range from feeling seen to seeing it as another way to make money from them. Maureen McCauley Evans wrote this excellent commentary https://lightofdaystories.com/tag/journey-to-root/ This could potentially be a benefit for those who may not have supports to travel with them IF the tour guides are actually prepared for all of the emotions that a country of origin trip can include, but it concerns me. As Maureen points out, whether it actually makes travel more accessible remains to be seen.
This seems like a good time to remind everyone about Beteseb Felega a nonprofit in Ethiopia that provides a search database, dna database, and search and communication services in Ethiopia. For Ethiopian adoptees who want to connect to family, this is where I would start.
The Adoptee Film Fest aims to further establish the need for Adoptee-centered adoption narratives by Adoptees in film, media and entertainment. After receiving 32 submissions spanning 7 countries, we are thrilled to invite you to join us for our inaugural screening night that will showcase 10 short films by adoptee filmmakers that speak to the adoptee experience in some way!
Wednesday, November 5th | 6:30–8:30 pm EST
Livestream + 1-year playback on demand
*OUR 2024 SHOW IS STILL AVAILABLE TO VIEW AND BUY VIA THE TICKET LINK ABOVE. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BUY FOR THE 2025 SHOW LISTED BELOW 2024.
Adoption Mosaic is teaming up with Adoptees United for another Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon! Join us on Sunday, November 9th to help correct the narrative.
Wikipedia shapes public understanding. But when it comes to adoption, too many entries are outdated, inaccurate, or steeped in one-sided narratives.
Let’s change that. “What is an Edit-a-Thon”, you ask? Learn more here: https://adopteesunited.org/wiki/
Everyone in the adoption constellation is welcome. Join us as we edit, update, and bring more truth to Wikipedia’s adoption-related pages, centering adoptee voices and lived experience every step of the way.
Consultation Group Opportunity
November 19 | noon EST | $60
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
Kentucky Lantern
Newsweek
Brussels Times
Time Magazine
CTV news
The Guardian
ICAV
AP News
The Atlantic
Kyiv Independent
The Juggernaut
Online Brainspotting Phase 1 Training
Holiday Shopping Inspiration
Liberty Lost
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.
I want to highlight a book with each newsletter, so we can all continue to grow and learn. AD
I was a little on the fence about sharing this book. It has a place for some situations, but certainly not for all. The religiousness is strong. There is honesty about how hard things can be for a birth mother, but she is not mentioned after she says goodbye. What appears to be NICU time and separation from her birth mother feels glossed over by talking about love from nurses. In the same way the subsequent separation from the foster family is mentioned but made to be pretty. The book does recognize that back and forth between foster family and pre-adoptive family was confusing for a small child.
This could be a helpful book for very specific children, but for many others it could be confusing.It is clearly a book written for a specific child, based on how the main character's name is emphasized multiple times per page. This one won't end up on my list of recommended books, but perhaps it fits for one of your specific clients.
For more recommendations, check out my (affiliate) Amazon Storefront
We are officially a nonprofit organization!
Join us on Thursday, November 13th from 6:30-7:30pm PT for our virtual Nonprofit Launch Celebration (followed by prizes and an opportunity to network).
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
- research, history, and more
This link is for days 1&2 and 14 CE hours: https://brooke-randolph.com/consultation-training/adoption-competency-training/
An optional 3rd day for Brainspotting trained therapists is also available for 21 total CEs: https://brooke-randolph.com/consultation-training/brainspotting-training/brainspotting-with-adoption-specialty-training/
What Do Adopted Children Owe Their Birth Parents? | "Filho"
The New Yorker Documentary
Watch here
Adoptees For Justice has been working to secure gubernatorial pardons from California’s Governor Newsom for Emily and Judy, both longtime California residents whose cases are now at a critical juncture. Adopted by American parents as children, their citizenship was never secured due to systemic oversight. Now, after more than 50 years of calling California home, they face the risk of detention and deportation.
This situation has now become extremely urgent and time sensitive. Emily had an ICE check-in on 10/8. At this check-in she was directed to return back to the ICE office on 12/12 with either an open motion to terminate the deportation order OR a plane ticket to self-deport to Korea within 2 weeks of 12/12. Her best chance to be able to open a motion to terminate the order is if she has a pardon from Governor Newsom. If he does not pardon her, she will be deported.
Both Emily and Judy have rebuilt their lives and become trusted advocates within the adoptee community. Their stories reflect a larger, ongoing crisis affecting intercountry adoptees who were legally adopted but remain without citizenship due to longstanding policy gaps. Their pardon applications and full documentation have been submitted, but time is not on our side. If you have not yet emailed Gov Newsom I encourage you to do so right away. Adoptees For Justice has provided an outreach toolkit here: https://nakasecche-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/rachel_nakasec_org/EZleu7llW_FGtqXcV-gqk7ABgOFxyFMwtC-LDfrvsWYS8A?rtime=rTJEB5YY3kg
Indian Adoptees: Call for Submissions
MAiDEn INDIA
It is time to join our brothers and sisters in the collective healing power of writing, and create the first Indian adoptee anthology
Deadline: March 15, 2026. Finalists will hear from us approximately three months later and we will work with you to make our pieces fit together.
Who can submit? Anybody adopted from India (transracially, same race, transnationally, or within country).
What type of writing should I submit? We are accepting anything in the creative nonfiction genre that falls within our four main themes of fate, death, blood, and hunger. You may interpret any of these words as you wish; just choose one. Get raw and bring the emotion.
Any length requirements? No-ish. Your submission could be as short as a paragraph or as long as would be appropriate for an anthology. Poetry/lyrics are welcome. We may cut for length if needed.
What is your goal with this anthology? We are hoping to use this anthology to raise awareness and funds for causes that benefit the Indian adoptee diaspora. In a perfect world, this anthology will be picked up by a regular publisher (vs self-publishing), but we will cross that bridge later. We will keep everybody informed before any decisions are made.
Ready to submit?Visit our website (maidenindiafilm.wordpress.com) and submit your piece using our form
Questons? Email maidenindiafilm@gmail.com
Adoptee Processing Group
with Katy Perkins Coveney, LCSW-S
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.
2026 1/26, 2/9, 2/23, 3/9, 3/23, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11
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?
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.
please click on image to enlarge
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.
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
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.
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.
TAKE THE SURVEY
Seeking Research Participants
Estrangement Research
Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2025). Understanding the experiences of parents who were adopted as children [Policy and practice paper]. Australian Institute of Family Studies. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/policy-and-practice-papers/understanding-experiences-parents-who-were-adopted-children
ABSTRACT
This resource summarises the evidence about the experiences of parents who were adopted as children (i.e. adult adoptees). It discusses their experiences of parenthood and the impacts of parenthood on their identity, wellbeing and relationships with others. It outlines the broader complexities of family separation in adoption, the impact of adoption on relationship attachment and the intersection between adoption and parenthood. This paper also provides some considerations for practitioners and other professionals working with adult adoptee parents and their families.
—
Goldberg, A. E., Silvert, L., & Siracusa, L. (2025). Experiences with school-based sexuality education among adopted adolescents with sexual minority parents. Family Relations, Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.70058(full text)
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study qualitatively examined the experiences and perspectives of adopted teenagers with sexual minority parents with respect to school-based sexuality health education. Background: Previous research has established that traditional school-based sexuality and reproductive health education curricula are largely heteronormative and cisnormative and fail to reflect the experiences and identities of diverse teenagers from diverse families. Method: We conducted a thematic analysis of interview data from 43 adopted adolescents in the United States, aged 13 to 18, from sexual minority, two-parent families. Half of participants were LGBQ+, and one fifth were trans/gender diverse. Results: School-based sexual and reproductive health education was infrequently described as holistic, nuanced, and/or LGBTQ+ inclusive; LGBTQ+ inclusive curricula were mostly recalled by participants in progressive urban areas and/or who attended private schools. Familybuilding options other than procreative sexual intercourse were rarely discussed in school. Some LGBTQ+ adopted teenagers engaged in advocacy efforts to include sexual and gender identity content in curricula. Conclusion: Guided by queer family theory, findings reveal insights into the experiences of school-based sexuality and reproductive health education among adolescents whose family diversity is rarely captured in traditional or sexuality-specific school-based education. Implications: Our findings highlight potential deficiencies experienced by adolescents from diverse families vis-à-vis traditional sexuality education, which holds implications for researchers, practitioners, and educators.
—
Tomaszewska, W., Apanasewicz, A., Gomółka, M., Matyas, M., Rojek, P., Szołtysik, M., Babiszewska-Aksamit, M., Gielniewski, B., Wojtas, B., Ziomkiewicz, A., … Jawaid, A. (2025). Differential microRNAs and metabolites in the breast milk of mothers with adverse childhood experiences. Translational Psychiatry, 15(1), Article 367. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03491-4
ABSTRACT
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) can strongly impact the physical and mental health of individuals. Recent evidence further suggests that children born to mothers with a history of ACE are at an increased risk for behavioral and metabolic perturbations. In this study, we investigated the impact of maternal ACE on small RNAs and fatty acids (FAs) in the breast milk from a cohort of Polish mothers (n = 103) and ascertained their association with early temperament of their children. Small RNA sequencing followed by qPCR assays were performed to compare small RNAs in the milk from lactating mothers with high vs. low ACE. Additionally, milk from mothers with high vs. low ACE were compared on the short-, middle-, and long-chain FAs content. Our study revealed distinct microRNA and FA signatures of ACE in human breast milk; with increased expression of miR-142-3p, miR-142-5p, and miR-223-3p and reduced levels of middle chain FAs (MCFAs) in the breast milk of mothers with high ACE. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the milk expression of miR-142-3p, miR-142-5p, and miR-223-3p and the ACE score in the mothers. Finally, milk expression of miR-142-5p and MCFAs correlated with infant temperament at the age of 5 and 12 months. The observed associations were not confounded by symptoms indicative of postpartum depression in the mothers. In conclusion, this study newly reveals changes in milk miRNAs and FAs as signatures of ACE in humans and highlights their potential as predictors of intergenerational transmission of the effects of ACE.
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
June 26-29 Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools conference by ATN, Dallas
For Therapists
February 11-12 Adoption Therapy: an introduction to competency by Abby Hasberry and Brooke Randolph
February 13 Setting up Brainspotting with the Adoption Constellation by Brooke Randolph
For Therapists & Parents
April 9-11 ATTACh conference, San Antonio
June 24-26 NCFA conference, Washington DC (proposals accepted through September)
First Thursdays PDA 101
For Foster/Adoptive Parents
November 2-5 Fullness of Joy retreat by Lisa Qualls
November 6-9 Fullness of Joy retreat by Lisa Qualls
Replanted Conference
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 Mondays 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
November 7-8 Adoption Knowledge Affiliates virtual conference with April Dinwoodie, Patrick Armstrong, and Gretchen Sisson
November 8 We The Experts: Adoptees Reconnecting After Estrangement by Adoption Mosaic
November 23 NAAM Storytelling by BIPOC Adoptees, Portland
December 13 We The Experts: Adoptees Who Experienced the Juvenile Justice System by Adoption Mosaic
June 25-27 Alliance for the Study of Adoption and Culture Conference, Leeds, UK
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
Third Thursdays online Search and Reunion Group by Boston Post Adoption Resources
For Families
November 14-16, UMOJA
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
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
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 Birth Parents
November 7-9 Retreat by On Your Feet Foundation
18th of each month Birth First Parents Only Support Group by Celia Center
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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