The purpose of this study was to explore the adoption and parenting experiences of lesbian and gay (LG) adoptive parents. Data for the present study are from a larger national cross-sectional survey of LG adoptive parents. Participants were recruited through advertisements placed in metropolitan LG newspapers, Web sites, and organizations across the country that serve LG individuals. This paper presents an analysis of the qualitative data gathered from 182 participants who responded to the following statement and two questions: 1. Write three short statements describing the biggest barriers or challenges that you faced in your efforts to become an LG adoptive parent. 2. What are the three biggest challenges you now face as an LG adoptive parent? 3. What are the three biggest joys you have experienced as an LG adoptive parent? The sample in this study was 54.9% female and 90% White. Thematic analysis was utilized to summarize the nature of the adoption experience from the LG parent perspective. Parents identified LG-specific barriers to becoming adoptive parents including perceived discrimination at all levels of the adoption process. Further, parents report a lack of role models to guide and mentor them. LG challenges included legal fears and struggles as they attempted to finalize both the initial and second-parent adoption.LG joys included being a role model to other parents, unanticipated increased extended family involvement, and unanticipated community support and acceptance.

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The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of the non-kin natural mentoring relationships among 19-year-old youths (N=189) in the process of "aging out" of the foster care system. Data for the present study are from the final interview of a longitudinal study of older youth exiting the foster care system in Missouri. Participants that reported a natural mentoring relationship at age 19 were asked a series of qualitative questions about their reported relationship. The sample in this study was 65% female and 58% youth of color. Thematic analysis, informed by relational-cultural theory (Miller & Stiver, 1997), was utilized to explore the nature of the relationships from the youth's perspective. These youth reported having natural mentors who served in a range of roles in their lives, including youth service professionals and friends of their families. These older youth also described the (a) qualities of their natural mentors that were important to them, (b) specific features of their natural mentoring relationships that they perceived to be especially helpful, and (c) the various kinds of support these relationships had offered to them. Implications for social work policy, practice, and research are discussed.

This study extends prior experience in offering an emotional intelligence-based leadership workshop for CRs. Though the program is novel, further research is needed to more fully understand the impact of leadership training for CRs and for the institutions and patients they serve.

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