For some adoptees, breaking the seal of a dominant adoption narrative is a survival issue. They may function in silence, afraid of being perceived as ungrateful. Cam will demonstrate skills from Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare to explore how silence has often separated adoptees from their own lived experiences. As a Permanency and Adoption Competency alum and consultant, Cam invites caregivers and professionals to sit with him in this reflective and interactive training based on illustrations of adoptee coalition-building practices, past and present, and a collaborative walk-through of research-informed interventions to help the adoptee voice reach parents, clinicians, and allies alike as we venture to speak truth toward a collective healing journey.

Cam Lee Small, author, clinician in private practice, and dynamic advocate for mental health and Adoption Literacy, brings lived experience and professional expertise to the forefront of his mission. His work has been featured by TEDx Minneapolis, CBS Minnesota, National Council for Adoption, Christianity Today, University of Minnesota School of Social Work, and Center for Adoption Support and Education. Cam’s community-based vision for adoptee-informed advocacy is evident through his 1:1 counseling services, live workshops and support groups, Masterclass trainings, and his unique blend of content creation/collaboration across digital and grassroots platforms. His book The Adoptee’s Journey: From Loss and Trauma to Healing and Empowerment addresses the intersection of adoption, mental health, and social responsibility. Cam’s personal insight stands honestly next to his professional acumen, making him a transformative force within the adoptee community and throughout the fields of advocacy and mental health.