Aleda Madison International Adoptee Scholarship Fund

Respond to one of the prompts below with an original, creative work.

Prompt 1
What is one thing you wish your family, friends, or society knew about the adoptee experience?

Prompt 2
Write a letter to your younger self. What do you wish you had known about your adoption journey?

Prompt 3
How has your adoption shaped your identity, perspective, and goals? Reflect on challenges and strengths that have emerged from your story.

Prompt 4
If your adoption story were a book, what would the title be—and why? Describe the key chapters and characters that shaped your journey.

Kristin Porter, LCSW-S

Kristin received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Samford University and her graduate degree in Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She has 20 years of experience in the adoption field, working with birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees. She is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) Practitioner through Texas Christian University and trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Therapy certification. She has a passion for working with children who have experienced trauma. Her goal to provide a safe and trusting environment for children and their families to heal. In her spare time, Kristin enjoys reading, DIY projects, and spending time with her family.

Caitlyn Ussery, LCSW

Caitlyn began her social work career in 2013 serving unaccompanied refugee minors and immigrant children and the foster parents who cared for them. Caitlyn is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) Practitioner through Texas Christian University, an EMDR Trained Therapist, and trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is also a certified Healing, Attachment, Loving Outreach (HALO) therapist and a Making Sense of Your Worth (MSOYW) facilitator. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Dallas Baptist University and her graduate degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Caitlyn specializes in providing counseling services for children and families in the foster care/adoption community. She strives to provide a safe, encouraging, and respectful environment where those committed to therapy and change can find solutions. Her hope for each person is to have healthier, more connected relationships with others. Caitlyn enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and a good cup of coffee.

Brittanye Cain, LPC

Brittanye earned her bachelor's degree in psychology at Grambling State University and master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She is an EMDR Trained Therapist and has 9 years of experience within the mental health field with a focal point on creating relational balance and harmony within the family system. She also has experience in providing therapy services to at-risk youth and families involved in the juvenile court system, child protective services, domestic violence, and trauma. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy are only two of the fundamental theories that she likes to utilize when working with clients. Brittanye has experience with various socio-economic backgrounds providing culturally sensitive care to the clients she serves. She has a passion for creating a safe and inviting environment for collaboration, communication, fostering healthy relationships, and positive change in the lives of others. Brittanye’s self-care involves traveling, gaining new experiences, watching her favorite shows, listening to music, and spending quality time with family and friends.