K-TAG
Kentuckiana Transracial Adoption Support Group


	WHY:

	Because the situation of families adopting transracially (outside their 
racial group) is a relatively new cultural occurrence and most of these 
children have not yet reached adulthood, we believe there is a great need for 
a support group.


	PURPOSE:    The support group will serve several purposes:

	1.  It will provide an opportunity for parents to share the concerns and
                 situations specific to adoption/family situations of this type.

2.  It will provide an opportunity for parents to offer advice and support to
     one another.

3.  It will provide a social setting at which our children can be with other
     like families.

 		4.  It will help to strengthen our resolve and bolster our spirits.

		5.  It will provide educational opportunities for its members.


MEMBERSHIP:

Membership is open to any racially mixed family or those who are considering adopting 
transracially.  It is open to single and couple parented families.  While the majority of us
may be white parents with children of African American or biracial heritage, mixed 
couples or families with children of  any race will be welcome.  We currently have
children from Guatemala, China, Viet Nam, and Jamaica in our group. 

There are no fees.


All members are required to respect the privacy and confidentiality of 
others in the group.
	




SERVICE AREA:

Membership will primarily be drawn from southern Indiana and the Louisville Metro 
area.


MEETING LOCATION/TIMES:

Meetings will be held monthly on the fourth Thursday evening  at 7:00 PM (Louisville 
time). We typically meet from 7:00 PM until around 8:30 PM.  Meetings are held at the 
KIDS FIRST DAY CARE center located on Charlestown Road in New Albany (see 
attached directions).

CHILDREN ARE WELCOME:  There are plenty of play areas for them.

We typically bring pitch-in refreshments.


WHAT WE BELIEVE:

1.  Race DOES matter.  There are cultural and social ramifications of every 
racial identify.  As parents adopting transracially, we need to understand 
these racial ramifications and be prepared to educate our children appropriately.  
These differences include both negative (prejudice; stereotypes) and positive 
(cultural characteristics) to which our children must be made aware. 

2.  Race DOES NOT matter.  In areas of childcare, the need for proper discipline, 
the necessity of love and adequate nurturing, racial differences disappear.  
Every child has innate needs that are age-based not racially based. 

3. Race is not the ONLY thing that matters.  A child’s self-esteem is derived from 
a healthy perception of himself from many facets of his life (gender; family pride; 
individual talents and abilities; affiliation with a town or country; religious 
identity).  Healthy racial identity is only one of many areas that should be lovingly 
nurtured.


OUR MEETINGS:

	Most of our monthly meetings involve a time of visiting and catching 
up on events, struggles and victories of parenting.  We hear the “stories” of 
new comers and get up dates from regular members. We often view video tapes 
that relate to adoption and/or Transracial adoption.  We often read books as 
a group and discuss a specific number of chapters each month for several months.
	
	
	Once a quarter we have a social event where everyone brings all the kids!  
We typically go to the Louisville Zoo in April; have a fall event that changes 
from year-to-year; have a Christmas party at the Roll house; and a summer 
swim party.  We enjoy these relaxed get-togethers and love having the 
opportunity for our kids to be with other families that “look like” ours. 




FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeff or Krisanne Roll, Parent Coordinators			
621 East State Road 64					
English  IN 47118					
812-338-2115						
jklumber.1@juno.com 												

Please let me know if you would like to be on our e-mailing list.