Young people in foster care and adoption have all experienced the loss of their first family and often many more challenges. Children in foster care have typically been abused and neglected and often have experienced complex or ongoing trauma. This trauma can result in lifelong challenges, and result in a higher likelihood of: physical, mental… More
This NACAC brief explains the mental health needs of many children and youth adopted from care, explores successful post-adoption services programs, and recommends policy changes that will facilitate the expansion and replication of necessary services. July 2007 Click here to download a PDF… More
Visibility of the transgender community is steadily increasing due in large part to high-profile transgender people such as Caitlyn Jenner, Laverne Cox, and Janet Mock. These three women, by living openly, are helping to educate the public on what it means to be transgender, the experiences and challenges faced by trans people, and the work… More
from Summer 2011 Adoptalk “He’ll never amount to anything.” Would those words destroy or motivate you? For me, the words simply seemed true; I should be a failure. Statistics would predict that I’m in prison, but that wasn’t my destiny, was it? Who can know for certain if I will amount to anything, and why… More
From Spring 2009 Adoptalk The experience of being a foster or adopted youth is both complex and unique. As such, the process of diagnosing mental health concerns can be paradoxical and problematic. Unlike other children, these youth have lost their first families. In addition, they may have been exposed to drugs or alcohol, abuse or… More
This NACAC manual is intended to help parents and family advocates learn how to set up parent-to-parent networks to provide post-adoption support in their own communities. The document provides information on six model peer support programs and explores in detail NACAC’s former MN ASAP parent support network. Click here to download PDF… More