This workshop will provide an overview of racial and cultural identity development from birth through early grade school.  It will also address how adult caregivers/providers can intentionally support and encourage healthy and positive identity development for children who may differ in terms of perceived race or culture from their caregivers/parents/family.

Kimara Gustafson is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota, Department of Pediatrics. Her professional areas of interest include special health care needs of adoptive children and children who have experience in the foster care system, socio-emotional trauma impact on development, racial and cultural social identity development for trans-racially adoptive or foster care children, and racial discrimination among historically marginalized youth in the United States. Additional interests include mentorship, coaching and providing support to parents and caregivers, specifically those in families that intersect with adoption and foster care systems