As adoption has evolved, there’s been little space for the Adoptee voice to inform practice and policy. Historical adoption paradigms have, at times, exerted oppressive tendencies on the Adoptee community that challenge its ability to find its voice and express its needs. Speaking on behalf of a post adoption department that employs three full-time Adoptee staff and works directly with hundreds of Adoptees each year, the speakers explore the evolution of “positive” adoption language and discuss tools that allow identification and evaluation of Adoptee-empowered practice.
Steve Kalb, LMSW – Post Adoption Services Director, Holt International Children’s Services
Joli Hanlon – Camp Director of Holt Adoptee Camp, Holt International Children’s Services
Katelyn Dixon, BS – Post Adoption Programs Lead, Holt International Children’s Services
Course length: 60 minutes
Course level: Beginning
Certificate type: This course offers a Social Work CE certificate
Credit type: Ethics CE
After attending this course, participants will be able to…
- Recall the importance of the Adoptee approach.
- Identify examples of Adoptee-centered language.
- Describe strategies for considering adoptee representation, information, and participation.
Updated 4/2/2025
National Council For Adoption, #1804, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 04/13/2023 – 04/13/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1 ethics continuing education credit.
This course does not offer credit for NJ or NY social workers. More information on continuing education credits is available here.
