Brooke Randolph

Trigger Warning: Father's Day Father's Day is often harder than Mother's Day in my house. Not only is it a reminder of all the feelings towards his Samoan father (from grief to anger), but it is also a reminder that there isn't an American dad for my son either. For some children I know who have negative feelings toward their first mother, it is helpful most of the time for there not to be an adoptive mother in their home; other children will feel like they missed out twice. All days as a...

This newsletter has quite a bit of bad news; please, give yourself some time to read and process it all and maybe have a cuppa while you do. ⚠️ Adoptee Rights Law Center issued an advisory recommending that intercountry adoptees not fly domestically without a passport. You can read it here: https://adopteerightslaw.com/advisory-do-not-fly/ Greg Luce is not an alarmist. I have listened to him talk about adoptee rights for years. I want to highlight a heartbreaking news story, not for shock and...

Important Legal Case in Adoption Land Abby Fredericksen began posting online hoping that someday, if she ever wanted to, her daughter would be able to find her and know her, her story, and that she cared. To make sure it was findable, she used her daughter’s full name, photos, and geographical location. Unfortunately this allowed strangers on the internet who supported Abby to find the adoptive family’s home address and social media pages. Because Abby endorsed and agreed with comments that...

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...

It is important to mention Mother's Day, even though personally I prefer other people would ignore it - and I know I'm not the only one. It can be a very difficult day for adoptees, first mothers, and many others who have experienced loss, parental separation, or difficult relationships. A person centered approach reminds us that wishing a Happy Mother's Day is an assumption in the majority of cases and may not be the kindest of approaches. Greeting Cards for Birthmother's Day By Sydney...

Wow a lot has happened this month, so I have a few reflections below. Just in March, I presented on RAD (why I think it is an unhelpful diagnosis) for Adoption Knowledge Affiliates, presented for a group practice that focuses on working with children (and was encouraged by how easily the clinicians took to all the information), led another Brainspotting Phase 1 training, and of course attended more webinars and read lots of research. I have been thinking about a webinar co-sponsored by Yes We...

Workshop: Adoptive Parent Guide to Filing an N-600 Adoptee rights advocate and immigration attorney Gregory Luce will walk through how an adoptive parent can apply for a minor child’s Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600), from beginning to end. More info When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026Time: 4:00pm PST/6:00pm CST/7:00pm ESTCost: Suggested $50 Donation Many therapists genuinely care deeply about adoption-impacted clients. Yet recent data shows adoptees are far more likely to encounter...

As we approach February, I am very excited for the next Intro (because you never fully arrive) to Adoption Competency training with Dr Abby Hasberry. There have been several updates with new research and the bibliography is extended. I am really looking forward to the thoughtful conversations we will be able to have. Well done, Illinois for proposing SB2895 the Healing Through History Act. This bill will require the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to provide prospective adoptive...

Recent survey data from the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE) underscores a critical gap between client need and perceived clinician competence in adoption therapy. While the findings reflect high engagement with mental health services across adoption-impacted populations, they also reveal strikingly low ratings of adoption competence—particularly from those most directly affected. More than 89% of birth parents, over 90% of adoptive parents, and approximately 89% of adoptees...