Resources for Parents, plus Teens & Tweens Too

As hard as it can feel to parent teens, let alone those who have experienced trauma and rough circumstances, it's infinitely harder to be a teen. Partnering with teens takes time, tolerance, trust and what may feel like a blind leap of faith. But we promise, it can be done! Please reference our Adoptee & Foster Voices, Children, Youth & Porn, Discipline, LGBTQ+ Families & Kids, Substance Use/Addictions, Suicide & Self-Harm Supports, Technology & Kids, and Transitioning to Adulthood pages for more resources.

"If your child has experienced abandonment, his or her need for connection is magnified more than with most teens. Yet at the same time, he or she is going to be scared of this connection. It is a difficult place to live..." ~Heather T. Forbes, trauma therapist & adoptive parent and author in ORPARC's library

Recommended Books & Articles

Teen-related Materials and Materials for Teens in ORPARC's library, including Teens & Adoption Information Packet developed by ORPARC

Parenting Your Adopted Teenager by the Child Welfare Information Gateway (CWIG)
Staying Close to Older Kids - How Special Time Can Work by Hand in Hand Parenting
Talking With Your Teen by Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker - author in ORPARC's library
Teenagers, Trauma, and the Power of Trusting Relationships by Heather T. Forbes, LCSW - author in ORPARC's library
The Teen Years: Brain Development and Trauma Recovery from Adoptalk 2019, Issue 1
Three Reframes for Common Complaints about Teens by Dr. Robin Barre
Youth Depression and Suicide Prevention Information Packet developed by ORPARC, available in ORPARC's library
Youth Era Youth Articles - by youth, for youth on sooooo many topics

Resources for Parents

Visit here for Suicide & Self Harm Supports.

Adoptee & Foster Voices - an ORPARC Resource page
Beneath the Mask: Adoption through the Eyes of Adolescents by Debbie Riley
Center for Parent and Teen Communication and en español
Child Mind Institute: Teens & Young Adults and en español
- Tips for Communicating with Your Teen and en español
Developmental Assets Framework by Search Institute - recommended by local Native therapist Jessie Kaleikau (Tsimsian)
Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee - Oregon-based tech use expert & author in ORPARC's library!
- Visit ORPARC's Technology & Kids Resource Page for so many more resources!
Healthychildren.org by American Academy of Pediatrics
Healthy Teen Network
Heather T. Forbes, Beyond Consequences Institute - author in ORPARC's library
Helping Children in Foster Care Understand their History by AdoptUSKids
How to Support Older Youth with Foster Care Experience Through Co-Regulation by OPRE
How to Validate Teens Even When You Don't Agree by the Center for Adolescent Studies
The Impact of Adoption on Teen Identity Formation by Cam Lee Small, adoptee
Internet & Video Game Addiction by Dr. Clifford Sussman
Making Brainwaves: Teens & Trauma by Stacey Goodson, foster adopt parent
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - resources for parents & educators
North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
The Office of Adolescent Health
Parenting Adopted Teens & Young Adults - Free course courtesy of Jockey taught by Katie Naftzger, adoptee - author in ORPARC's library
Parenting Teens in Foster Care: Power & Protection by Jillian Peterson
Perspective is Everything by The Shiftless Wanderer
Prenatal Exposure: Part II Parenting Tweens & Teens by Creating a Family
Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers by American Psychological Association
The Rewards of Fostering Teenagers by Sevita
TCU Institute of Child Development
The Teen Years: Brain Development and Trauma Recovery by NACAC
The Teen Years Explained: A Guide to Healthy Adolescent Development by Center for Adolescent Health at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Tips from Preteens & Teens (about getting adopted) by Families Rising
Understanding Teenagers in Foster Care & How to Help Them and en español by FosterVA

Sex Education

Adolescent Sexuality: Talk the Talk Before They Walk the Walk
Amaze - entertaining & helpful for parents!
American Sexual Health Association
Sex Education Materials in ORPARC's library
Sex Positive Families
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine - for parents of teens and young adults

Culturally-specific

Better Outcomes for Older Youth of Color in Foster Care by Center for the Study of Social Policy
Empowering Children of Color Who Face Racism by Adoptive Families
Healthy Native Youth - many tips for adults!
Mental Health and Black Adolescents by Dr. Ashley Hicks White
Transracial Parenting/Cultural Diversity - an ORPARC Resource page
What It's Like to Be Black in New York's Foster Care System by Schifane Philippeaux, The Imprint
Why Race Matters for Teens by Debbie Riley

Resources for Teens

Adopteen
B.E.A.T: Beginning to Explore Adoption Together
Healthy Teen Network
Intersection Connection through Old Mill Center - FREE Online Group for LGBTQ+ Youth (grades 5-9)
iRespect & Protect by Liberty House and partners - safe tech use
Mindfulness for Teens
Ok2TALK
Oregon Youth Resource Map
Strength of US
Strong365 - mental health
Teenage Grief Sucks
TrevorSpace - for LGBTQ+ youth
WeRNative - fantastic wealth of resources for Native Youth by Native Youth!
Youth Era - virtual and physical hangout spots and wrap around support for teens

Sex Education

Amaze - age appropriate sex education videos, articles, & more for teens
It's Time We Talked - regarding pornography
Sex, Etc. By Teens, For Teens

Hotlines for Teens

Alcohol & Substance Abuse: 1-800-784-6776
Childhelp USA: 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-CHILD)
LGBTQ crisis & suicide line: 1-866-488-7386 (1-800-48U-TREVOR)
LGBTQ National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-7743
Planned Parenthood: 1-800-230-7526
Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673 (1-800-656-HOPE)
Runaway: 1-800-786-2929 (1-800-RUNAWAY)
STI & HIV Hotline (CDC): 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO)
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call, text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474, 1-866-331-8453 TTY
YouthLine: 877-968-8491

Videos & Podcasts

Connecting with Teens by Jockey Being Family (free audio course!)
Executive Function, Communicating, Power Struggles - Assorted Videos & Tips by Dr. Michael Delman
How to Talk to Your Teens About Anything with Katie Malinski by the Robyn Gobbel Podcast - author in ORPARC's library
Parenting Adopted Teens & Young Adults with adoptee Katie Naftzger - free course courtsey of Jockey + author in ORPARC's library
Parenting Teenagers With a Trauma History by The Honestly Adoption Company Podcast - authors in ORPARC's library
Sexual Assault, Consent & Sexual Harassment and Teenagers & Sexual Abuse by Fight Sex Abuse (animated videos)
The Seven Core Struggles of Adoption: Supporting Your Teen Through Early Adulthood by Dr. Chaitra Wirka-Leiker, adoptee & adoptive parent - author in ORPARC's library (video)
Support for LGBTQ Youth Starts at Home by The Institute for Innovation & Implementation (animated video)
TBRI® Podcast - TBRI® & Teens Episode 1 & Episode 2
Trauma-informed Mindfulness with Teens with Sam Himelstein on the David Treleaven Podcast - author in ORPARC's library

FREE Virtual Teen Support Group

Free virtual teen support group with Oregon transracial adoptee Alison Foraker. Currently also running in-person in Bend!

We're Adopted, So What?: Teens Tell It Like It Is by Gayle H Swift

The Teen's Guide to World Domination; Advice on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Awesomeness by Josh Shipp

The Unofficial Guide to Therapeutic Parenting - The Teen Years by Sally Donovan

We've Been There: True Stories, Surprising Insights, & Aha Moments for Adopted Teens by Susan TeBos

Avenging the Owl by Melissa Hart

You Look Something: an indigenous coming-of-age novel by Jessica Mehta (Cherokee)

Badass Black Girl: Questions, Quotes, & Affirmations for Teens by M.J. Fievre

The Adopted Teen Workbook by Barbara Neiman

The Teen's Guide to Social Skills by Kate Fitzsimons