Adoption adds to the complexity of adolescent development and adopted teenagers may need extra support in dealing with certain adoption issues.
The Adopted Teen Empowerment and Mentoring Program (ATEAM) is a post adoption service program designed for adopted teens and adoptive parents to help them handle whatever emotions they may be feeling. By offering this special population the additional support they need, we hope to help them forge even stronger family attachments and enhance their future relationships.
In this program adopted teens and adult mentors come together every month to help validate each others feelings. For those who are adopted at an older age from the foster care system, this type of supportive environment may be helpful. In most cases even when teens appear happy and well adjusted in their adoptive families, they may still be dealing with the effects of their early life experiences.