This research project by the Adoption Institute has come to my attention, and is important enough for an entire post.

I urge all who fit the profile to participate, as it would be a shame if the only adoptees putting forth thoughts and opinions are the same ones who would, if they had their way, close down adoption for everyone and forever.

“Beyond Culture Camp: Promoting Healthy Identity Formation in Adoption”

A Project by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

We need to hear your voice, your experience, your thoughts, and your knowledge. The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute – the pre-eminent research, policy and education organization in its field – is conducting a research project to identify those factors that contribute to healthy identity formation from the perspective of those who know best – adult adopted people.

We are seeking adopted adults age 18 or older to participate in a national Internet based survey to help us identify those factors that can help promote and sustain a positive identity for individuals who have been adopted internationally and raised in transracial adoptive families. We are particularly seeking the participation of adopted adults of Asian descent who have been raised in transracial families, and are also seeking a comparison group of domestic adopted adults raised in same-race families. To take the survey, go to: http://www.adoptioninstitute.org.

If you have already completed the online survey, thank you. If not, please do so today! The survey will be available until January 2007 and all of your answers will be anonymous and confidential. You do not have to complete the survey at one time if you set up an account. However, it is essential that you complete the entire survey!

Why is this study so important and different from other studies? The experiences, voice and perspective of adopted adults have not been researched extensively. Thus, the collective experiences of adopted adults are not currently informing adoption practices - and that is why your participation is vital. The explicit goal of this project is not simply to enhance the knowledge base about relevant issues; rather, it is to fundamentally alter – and demonstrably improve – polices and
practices relating to promoting and sustaining a positive self-identity that incorporates race, culture and adoption and are attuned to adopted people’s needs.

This research is being conducted by Hollee McGinnis, MSSW, Policy & Operations Director at the Adoption Institute, an adopted adult from Korea and founder of the adult adoptee organization Also-Known-As, Inc.; Dr. Jeanne Howard, Policy & Research Director at the Adoption Institute and Professor at the School of Social Work, Illinois State University; and Dr. Scott Ryan, Senior Fellow at the Adoption Institute and Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the College of Social Work, Florida State University.
Please contact Hollee McGinnis with questions at (212) 979-0382 or by
email at hmcginnis@adoptioninstitute.org.

The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute is committed to improving laws, policies and practices - through sound research, education and advocacy - in order to better the lives of everyone touched by adoption. The Adoption Institute has long been committed to learning from adult adoptees and conducted the first survey focusing on adopted adults at the Gathering of the First Generation of Adult Korean Adoptees in 1999 and the Reunion of the First Generation of Vietnamese Adoptees in 2000.

Hollee McGinnis, MSSW
Policy & Operations Director
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
525 Broadway 6th floor, New York NY 10012
VOICE: (212) 979-0382 | FAX: (775) 796-6592
http://www.adoptioninstitute.org