Developing a Healthy Self-Identity
as a Transracial Adoptee

In this curriculum parents will learn the importance of helping their transracially adopted, foster, or kinship children form healthy racial and cultural identities. Parents and caregivers will also gain knowledge of the challenges that transracially adoptive, foster, and kinship families face as they grow in their identity. Understanding the critical role of the family is key to supporting healthy self-identity. Parents and caregivers will be encouraged to consider how and where they can find additional education and resources needed to support their children. This curriculum also gives practical tips for increasing their understanding of their children’s specific racial and cultural identity and expanding their community of support and resources.

Parents will leave the support group with a better understanding of the following topics.

• Common challenges that transracially adoptive, foster, and kinship children face in forming healthy self-identity.
• The critical role of a child’s family in the formation of racial identity, including how parents can expand the child’s connections to their racial community.
• Strategies and suggestions to support a child’s racial and ethnic identity as the child grows in their understanding.

*This curriculum includes a video, facilitator guide, and handouts.

**For international adoption agencies looking for interactive Hague training, this curriculum can contribute to a program to help meet 96.48 requirements. However, for a more thorough coverage of the requirements, consider the Creating a Family Hague Package for International Adoption.