The Strength Based Family Adoption Project

Kristine Freeark, Ph.D.: Dr. Freeark co-directs the Strengths-based Adoptive Family Program. She is a psychologist involved in both clinical practice and research, with expertise in adoptive family experiences. She developed the Inquisitive Minds workshop, an innovative psychoeducational curriculum for adoptive parents of preschool-aged children, and has led, or trained and supervised others in leading this workshop, for over a decade. She has presented on the workshop curriculum and other aspects of the adoptive family experience at national and local conferences and has established herself as a resource within the adoption community. Dr. Freeark has a particular interest in the role that gender plays in the family dynamics around adoption. Her recent publications focus on strengths-based programming for adopted youth and gender dynamics in the adoption life cycle. Dr. Freeark also developed and directed the Latino Photojournalism Project, which uses photography and interviewing as a means to connect adopted children and teens with others who share their heritage. As an adoptive mother and child and family therapist she has a deep personal and professional interest in the well-being of adoptive families.

Katherine Rosenblum, Ph.D.: Dr. Rosenblum co-directs the Strengths-based Adoptive Family Program. She is a clinical and developmental psychologist with expertise in early emotional development and supportive interventions for parent-child relationships at risk. Her research and clinical work focus primarily on the early years of childhood and the importance of family relationships for infant and young child well-being. Her recent publications include: an edited book focused on relationship-based interventions for parent-infant relationships at risk; research on parent-infant attachment; and early familial influences on children's developing emotional competence. Her collaborative work on adoptive family experiences provides a rich context for understanding the diverse ways families build and sustain connections.

Laura Kohn-Wood, Ph.D.: is a collaborator with the Strengths-based Adoptive Family Program. She is a clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan . Her research is focused on ethnic and gender variation in psychological functioning, coping and interventions. She has primarily worked with African American families and has experience developing culturally-adapted interventions for adults, children and families. Dr. Kohn-Wood has a particular interest in the developmental process associated with ethnic and racial identity. As an adult transracially adopted individual, she is personally and professionally excited about developing knowledge related to the resources and challenges of adopted families from a strengths-based perspective.

Vanessa Hus: graduated from the University of Michigan in 2004 with a BA in Psychology; she did her honors thesis on the Family Stories Project, with a particular interest in fathers and adoption communication. Since graduating she has been working at the University of Michigan Autism & Communication Disorders Center, a diagnostic and research clinic that addresses autism spectrum disorders. Vanessa has also continued to work with the Family Stories Project, collaborating on a poster presentation for the Society of Research on Child Development conference held in Atlanta , GA in 2005; this project grew out of her honors work and will also be submitted for publication to Adoption Quarterly. In the fall of 2006 Vanessa will be moving to the United Kingdom, where she will be enrolled in a Masters program in Neuroscience. After studying at Oxford, she plans to return to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology. Vanessa says that working with the F.S.P. has influenced her perspective on adoption in so many ways, both personally and professionally. In particular, this project has shown her the vast depth that characterizes the dynamics of an adoptive family, which makes the family different from biological families in a special way. Vanessa thinks that she might like to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of adopted children with developmental disabilities, taking into account the unique circumstances surrounding adoptive families that may impact the family's and the child's abilities to cope and persevere in life.

Briana Root: graduated from the University of Michigan in 2004 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Spanish Language & Literature. Following graduation, Briana has been employed as a research assistant on an interdisciplinary project examining the effects of iron deficiency in infancy on development. Briana has also continued her work with the Family Stories Project collaborating on a presentation at a research conference and an article for publication. In Fall 2006 Briana will move to Cleveland , OH , to begin a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University. Her research interests include the psychology of religion/spirituality and intimate relationships. Briana says that her time with the Family Stories Project was extremely rewarding, noting that she was particularly impressed with the project's strengths-based approach, which complemented her interest in positive psychology.

Christol Hutchins: is originally from Detroit, Michigan and began her studies at the University of Michigan starting in the fall of 2001. Since that time, Christol has graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Women's Studies and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Social Work. Christol's social work interests include reducing violent crimes against women and promoting positive self-esteem for adolescents. During her leisure time she enjoys spending time with family, watching television, and catching up with friends. Christol has worked on the Family Stories Project since the fall of 2005 and she will be part of the team visiting families in Phase 2 of the project. In particular, she wants to continue to expand her knowledge on the richness that adoption creates for families. She looks forward to meeting the families who have made the Family Stories project so unique and learning how their perspectives have changed as their children have continued to grow.

More of the wonderful undergraduate, graduate and

post-doctoral research staff.

Stacy Slater: graduated from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities in 2006 with a BA in Psychology and Sociology. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Social Work here at the University of Michigan in hopes of becoming a school social worker. She is very excited to be a part of the Family Stories Project. As a Korean adoptee, she has personal and professional interest in regard to transracial adoptions. As an undergraduate student she did research on adult Korean adoptees, studying how early cultural exposure affected the adoptee’s well-being as adults. She also took a course titled “Cultures of Korean Adoptions: The Adoptee Experience” in which she learned the history of Korean adoptions and explored what it meant to be a Korean adoptee. She is looking forward to learning more about other family’s experiences with adoption.

Becky Feuerstein: is currently working towards her master’s degree in Social Work. Her social work research interests include the over representation of children of color in the foster care system and issues surrounding HIV. Becky started working on the Family Stories Project in September of this year and will be part of the team visiting families during Phase 2 of the project. Becky is very excited to meet all of the families involved in the project.


Kristine Freeark Ph.D. Co-Director Clinical Psychologist Research Investigator Katherine Rosenblum Ph.D. Co-Director Clinical Developmental Psychologist Assistant Research Scientist Laura Kohn-Wood Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist Assistant Professor Vanessa Hus Research Assistant Read more about Vanessa's reflections as an adult adoptee working on the Family Stories Project. Briana Root Research Assistant Christol Hutchins Research Assistant Becky Feuerstein Research Assistant Stacy Slater Research Assistant	Kristine Freeark, Ph.D.: Dr. Freeark co-directs the Strengths-based Adoptive Family Program. She is a psychologist involved in both clinical practice and research, with expertise in adoptive family experiences. She developed the Inquisitive Minds workshop, an innovative psychoeducational curriculum for adoptive parents of preschool-aged children, and has led, or trained and supervised others in leading this workshop, for over a decade. She has presented on the workshop curriculum and other aspects of the adoptive family experience at national and local conferences and has established herself as a resource within the adoption community. Dr. Freeark has a particular interest in the role that gender plays in the family dynamics around adoption. Her recent publications focus on strengths-based programming for adopted youth and gender dynamics in the adoption life cycle. Dr. Freeark also developed and directed the Latino Photojournalism Project, which uses photography and interviewing as a means to connect adopted children and teens with others who share their heritage. As an adoptive mother and child and family therapist she has a deep personal and professional interest in the well-being of adoptive families. Katherine Rosenblum, Ph.D.: Dr. Rosenblum co-directs the Strengths-based Adoptive Family Program. She is a clinical and developmental psychologist with expertise in early emotional development and supportive interventions for parent-child relationships at risk. Her research and clinical work focus primarily on the early years of childhood and the importance of family relationships for infant and young child well-being. Her recent publications include: an edited book focused on relationship-based interventions for parent-infant relationships at risk; research on parent-infant attachment; and early familial influences on children's developing emotional competence. Her collaborative work on adoptive family experiences provides a rich context for understanding the diverse ways families build and sustain connections. Laura Kohn-Wood, Ph.D.: is a collaborator with the Strengths-based Adoptive Family Program. She is a clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan . Her research is focused on ethnic and gender variation in psychological functioning, coping and interventions. She has primarily worked with African American families and has experience developing culturally-adapted interventions for adults, children and families. Dr. Kohn-Wood has a particular interest in the developmental process associated with ethnic and racial identity. As an adult transracially adopted individual, she is personally and professionally excited about developing knowledge related to the resources and challenges of adopted families from a strengths-based perspective. Vanessa Hus: graduated from the University of Michigan in 2004 with a BA in Psychology; she did her honors thesis on the Family Stories Project, with a particular interest in fathers and adoption communication. Since graduating she has been working at the University of Michigan Autism & Communication Disorders Center, a diagnostic and research clinic that addresses autism spectrum disorders. Vanessa has also continued to work with the Family Stories Project, collaborating on a poster presentation for the Society of Research on Child Development conference held in Atlanta , GA in 2005; this project grew out of her honors work and will also be submitted for publication to Adoption Quarterly. In the fall of 2006 Vanessa will be moving to the United Kingdom, where she will be enrolled in a Masters program in Neuroscience. After studying at Oxford, she plans to return to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology. Vanessa says that working with the F.S.P. has influenced her perspective on adoption in so many ways, both personally and professionally. In particular, this project has shown her the vast depth that characterizes the dynamics of an adoptive family, which makes the family different from biological families in a special way. Vanessa thinks that she might like to specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of adopted children with developmental disabilities, taking into account the unique circumstances surrounding adoptive families that may impact the family's and the child's abilities to cope and persevere in life. Briana Root: graduated from the University of Michigan in 2004 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Spanish Language & Literature. Following graduation, Briana has been employed as a research assistant on an interdisciplinary project examining the effects of iron deficiency in infancy on development. Briana has also continued her work with the Family Stories Project collaborating on a presentation at a research conference and an article for publication. In Fall 2006 Briana will move to Cleveland , OH , to begin a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University. Her research interests include the psychology of religion/spirituality and intimate relationships. Briana says that her time with the Family Stories Project was extremely rewarding, noting that she was particularly impressed with the project's strengths-based approach, which complemented her interest in positive psychology. Christol Hutchins: is originally from Detroit, Michigan and began her studies at the University of Michigan starting in the fall of 2001. Since that time, Christol has graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Women's Studies and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Social Work. Christol's social work interests include reducing violent crimes against women and promoting positive self-esteem for adolescents. During her leisure time she enjoys spending time with family, watching television, and catching up with friends. Christol has worked on the Family Stories Project since the fall of 2005 and she will be part of the team visiting families in Phase 2 of the project. In particular, she wants to continue to expand her knowledge on the richness that adoption creates for families. She looks forward to meeting the families who have made the Family Stories project so unique and learning how their perspectives have changed as their children have continued to grow. More of the wonderful undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral research staff. Stacy Slater: graduated from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities in 2006 with a BA in Psychology and Sociology. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Social Work here at the University of Michigan in hopes of becoming a school social worker. She is very excited to be a part of the Family Stories Project. As a Korean adoptee, she has personal and professional interest in regard to transracial adoptions. As an undergraduate student she did research on adult Korean adoptees, studying how early cultural exposure affected the adoptee’s well-being as adults. She also took a course titled “Cultures of Korean Adoptions: The Adoptee Experience” in which she learned the history of Korean adoptions and explored what it meant to be a Korean adoptee. She is looking forward to learning more about other family’s experiences with adoption. Becky Feuerstein: is currently working towards her master’s degree in Social Work. Her social work research interests include the over representation of children of color in the foster care system and issues surrounding HIV. Becky started working on the Family Stories Project in September of this year and will be part of the team visiting families during Phase 2 of the project. Becky is very excited to meet all of the families involved in the project.	`