Foundations of Adoption Literacy

Language & Tools to Help Churches Serve Adoptees Better

By Cam Lee Small, MS, LPCC | adoptionliteracy.com

Thank you for attending Cam's training at First Baptist Church of Lodi!

FEEDBACK: Would you please take 60 seconds to share feedback here, it's deeply appreciated!
SCHEDULE CAM FOR AN EVENT: If any part of this training resonated with you and you'd like to go deeper with additional trainings or keynotes (or bring this specific training to your org!), visit my site here to browse options and schedule a discovery call with me today!
Get the book The Adoptee's Journey: From Loss and Trauma to Healing and Empowerment (Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist)
HANDOUT: Download the following handout and resources to help adoptees and families apply Adoption Literacy in and beyond their time together with you.

References

Core Adoption Literacy Framework (including RISEN)

Lee Small, C. (2025). Adoption literacy: A practical guide for counselors. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807241313132

The Adoptee's Journey (Book)

Lee Small, C. (2024). The adoptee's journey: From loss and trauma to healing and empowerment. InterVarsity Press.

TEDx Talk: Adoption Literacy

Lee Small, C. (2024, August 12). Adoption literacy at TEDx [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqCoMRUKVao

Adoptee Consciousness

Branco, S. F., Kim, J., & Newton, G. (2024). The Adoptee Consciousness Model: Integration with family counseling theory and practice. The Family Journal, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807241290244

Branco, S. F., Kim, J., Newton, G., Cooper-Lewter, S. K., & O'Loughlin, P. (2022). Out of the fog and into consciousness: A model of adoptee awareness. Self-published manuscript.

Branco, S. F. (2022). Relational–Cultural Theory: A supportive framework for transracial adoptive families. The Family Journal, 30(1), 22-29. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807211028986

Newton, G. (2022). The trauma and healing of consciousness. Child Abuse & Neglect, 130(Pt 2), 105563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105563