Adoption is a way to create a family and provide the opportunity for children and youth who need a safe, permanent home. Upon adoption, children transition from one culture and way of life to another. For some, adoption is transracial – when a child of one race joins a family of another race. Transcultural and transracial families bring forth a myriad of challenges that are not impossible to overcome. Adding to these dynamics, those born from 2010 to present, the Alpha Generation, are growing up in a time of rapid cultural and technological change, with diversity and inclusion at the heart of societal themes. This training examines the unique experiences and challenges faced by transcultural and transracial families raising children in this generation.
Participants will explore cultural identity and racial awareness, examining how these elements connect to family dynamics and societal expectations. Through interactive discussions and actionable strategies, attendees will gain practical tools to create inclusive and nurturing environments. By the end of the course, participants will be prepared to support children and families in embracing their complex identities and celebrating the richness of diversity within their lives.
Learning Objectives:
After attending this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe the characteristics and developmental context of the Alpha Generation, including factors influencing their identity formation.
- Identify and analyze cultural and identity challenges commonly faced by children in transracial/transcultural families, with an emphasis on systemic and interpersonal dynamics including the concept of colorblindness.
- Apply practical strategies to support positive identity development and resilience in children within transracial/transcultural families.
Target Audience:
Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychologists, Therapists, Licensed Mental Health Practitioners, Medical Doctors, Case Workers, and Community Based Program Professionals
Content Level: Intermediate
About the Presenter:
Camillia Whitehead, LCSW-C is a seasoned Adoption Competent Therapist with over 20 years of experience providing therapeutic interventions for birth and adoptive families impacted by mental health challenges, childhood trauma, and substance abuse. She is the visionary founder of Wise Care Consulting, LLC, which offers adoption and foster care trainings, as well as specialized 1:1 and group coaching and consulting services. Her work is tailored to adoptive, foster, and kinship care parents navigating complex dynamics, including prenatal substance exposure, trauma wounds, bonding and attachment, multicultural challenges, and other intricate adoption and fostering situations. Camillia also specializes in addressing substance abuse dependence among perinatal and postpartum women and supporting infants experiencing prenatal substance exposure. She has delivered numerous presentations to diverse agencies, sharing her expertise and insights on these critical topics.
Agenda:
6:00pm – 6:05pm
- Welcome & Introductions
- Overview of Learning Objectives
6:05pm – 6:45pm
Module 1: Identity Formation and Challenges
- Brief developmental context of the Alpha Generation
- Characteristics of transracial/transcultural families
- Cultural and racial identity development
- Challenges faced by transracial/transcultural families
6:45pm – 6:50pm
- Break
6:50pm – 7:35pm
Module 2: Strategies for Positive Identity Development
- Practical strategies to build cultural awareness and humility
- Building resilience in children
- Interactive activity
7:35pm – 7:45pm
Conclusion and Q&A
- Recap of key points
- Open Q&A session
Continuing Education:
The Institute for Mastery and Integration, Provider #1920, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The Institute for Mastery and Integration maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 9/23/24 – 9/23/2025.
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