GU - Embracing the Heart, Mind, and Spirit of Transracial Adoption

GLADNEY UNIVERSITY: The purpose of Gladney University is to equip clients and professionals with the knowledge they need to help provide positive and healthy outcomes for the children we serve. Gladney University provides adoptive parents with education and support before, during and after their adoption. This education and support helps Gladney provide the finest adoption experience possible, and its part of Gladney’s promise of family for life. Additionally, Gladney University provides medical professionals, counselors, social service advocates and community members with cutting edge continuing education programs by offering relevant and engaging, web-based and in person educational adoption and child welfare resources. Gladney is uniquely positioned to provide outstanding training to parents and professionals because of our 130-year history of serving families and children. Our staff is highly qualified, experienced and compassionate. This combination creates dynamic and very successful training programs.

DESCRIPTION

Please join us on Tuesday, February 12th, 9:00 AM -12:00 PM for Embracing the Heart, Mind, and Spirit of Transracial Adoption.

Transracial Adoptions, especially involving white parents adopting children of color, are increasing in the U.S. With the popularity of the TV show This Is Us, and the creative work by and for adult Transracial Adoptees, this phenomenon is grabbing the interest of mainstream society and shining a light on the complexities of raising children of color in white homes.

In her presentation, Rhonda will provide a brief overview of the history of Transracial Adoption in the U.S., specifically as it relates to black and biracial children raised by white parents, and speak on the controversy that ignited the debate on this important topic. Through the sharing of her own story, and the stories of the adult adoptees, adoptive parents, and non-adopted siblings featured in the Simon-Roorda trilogy of books on Transracial Adoption, the challenges and strengths of this practice will emerge. In culmination to these amazing voices, Rhonda will discuss the major themes in her latest award winning book, In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption and help reimagine a more robust and flexible way to support families touched by Transracial Adoption.

The goal of this presentation is to help child welfare professionals in the Fort Worth community, Gladney adoptive parents and staff members look at this phenomenon holistically in order to embrace the heart, mind, and spirit of Transracial Adoption and build healthy Transracial Adoptive families of all combinations.

Rhonda's books will be available for sale before the workshop and she will do a book signing after the event.

About the Speaker

Rhonda M. Roorda was adopted at the age of two into a white American family with Dutch heritage. She was raised with her two non-adopted siblings in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Rhonda is an Author & International Speaker on Transracial Adoption. Rhonda’s latest book, In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption was named by Choice Magazine as a 2016 Outstanding Academic Title. With the late Dr. Rita J. Simon, she coauthored a landmark trilogy of books on Transracial Adoption (In Their Own Voices, In Their Parents’ Voices, and In Their Siblings’ Voices). Rhonda’s work is highly regarded in academia, among adoption agencies and parent groups, in corporations, in Hollywood, and in households throughout the United States and abroad. Rhonda is the recipient of the 2010 Judge John P. Steketee Adoption Hero Award from the Adoptive Family Support Network (MI). In 2017, Rhonda was awarded the Friend of Children and Youth Award from the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC). Rhonda earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Telecommunications from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI; and a Master of Arts Degree in Communication-Urban Studies at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. From 2013-2016, Rhonda served on the Calvin College Alumni Board. In 2017, Rhonda became a Member of the Calvin College Board of Trustees. Rhonda works as a fund administrator at an educational advocacy organization in Lansing, Michigan.

Please register for all Gladney University trainings on EVENTBRITE
Karin Matula, Gladney University Coordinator karin.matula@gladney.org 817.922.6073

When

February 12th, 2019 9:00 AM through 12:00 PM

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