Hair Care

Celebrating a child’s beautiful textured hair is a need for every African American or multiracial child from the day they enter care. For cultures and races gifted with naturally curly hair, hair is a visible source of cultural pride and identity. Caring for curly hair involves practice and expertise so a child feels proud and empowered. Having hair done by an invested adult is also a wonderful opportunity to show compassion, develop attachment, role model self-care, and boost self-esteem. Kids in care should feel proud of their hair! Please reference our Talking About Culture and Transracial Parenting/Cultural Diversity pages for more resources. Plus, en español.

"Long, short, natural, straightened, weaved, locked or braided -- hair is an important part of black identity. Lets face it, hair is an important part of everyone's identity." ~Angela Tucker, adoptee - author in ORPARC's library

Opportunities

Are you an adoptive family or state-assisted guardian parenting a child with textured, curly and/or kinky hair? Do you need some financial support with hair care? Please reach out to ORPARC to inquire how we can help. Please note funds are limited and prioritized for families who have not accessed them previously and/or first come first serve orparc@alongsidekids.org! Learn more here.

Websites

The Crown Act - proudly passed by Oregon to protect kids & en español

Beads, Braids and Beyond - older but so many goodies!
Black Kids, Natural Hair by Rachel Garlinghouse, White Sugar Brown Sugar - lots of pictures & tips by a transracially parenting adoptive mom
Elegant Boutique Beauty Supply - PDX Metro, also delivers and/or meets & ships; ODHS Resource parents & some ORPARC parents are eligible for discounts!
Foster Love Project
HairSpiracy
Halo Collective - UK
Naturally Beautiful Project - PNW located
PDX Black Unicorn - hair stylist directory
Styles4Kidz
Ujima Youth Program - Central Oregon area

Recommended Books & Articles

Curly Hair Care Materials available in ORPARC's library, including Hair Books for Kids and Hooray for Hair Care Guide developed by ORPARC

Free copies for ORPARC families of A Practical Guide: Black Hair Care by Terria Roushun Epting.

7 Natural Hair Care Tips for Foster & Adoptive Parents by RAISE magazine
Autism & Hair Cuts by Eileen "Mama Fry" Shaklee for Goally
Black Kids' Natural Hair, Styles, Products & More by White Sugar, Brown Sugar
Black Hair & Skin Care Booklet by Adoption Star - older but with some good stuff!
Black Hair, Skin Care, Self-Esteem & so much more by California Alliance of Caregivers
Black Hair Care for Foster Parents by Foster Adopt Connect
Caring for the Hair of Your African American Child by Coalition for Children, Youth & Families
Curly Kids by Curly Nikki - lots of tips & pictures
The Hazardous Chemicals Lurking in Black Hair Products by Sierra Club
Help! How Do I Take Care of My Kid's Natural Hair by Muhga Eltigani, NaturAll
Here's How to Figure Out What Type of Curls You Have by Jaclyn Smock
How to Care for Your Black Child's Hair At Home by Barbara Yebuga
My Hair is a Garden, an Interview with Children's Book Author Cozbi Cabrera by Afrobella - author in ORPARC's library
Textured Tending Process Guide by ODHS
What Is Your Child’s Hair Texture? by Wiley - printable infosheet
Why Understanding & Caring for Black Hair is A "Nonnegotiable" by Purl Adoption Advisory

Videos & Podcasts

The 411 on Black Hair Care with LaShanna Bruce by The Archibald Project (podcast)
Empowering Black Youth: Tackling Hair Stigma & Fostering Identity in Foster Care by Kidsave Embrace Project (video)
The Halo Code - amazing film by youth!
Hair Love super cute film short by Sony Pictures to go with the Hair Love book in our library & en español!
Hair Wash Day by Christy Gior (video)
Helping My Son Overcome His Fear by DadLifeJason (video)
Teaching Adoptive Parents to Care For Natural Hair by Great Big Story (video)
Terria Roushun Epting & Identity Hair Care - author in ORPARC's library (videos)
Wash Day Routine for Hair Growth by Kidsave Embrace Project (video)

Facebook Pages & Blogs

Curly Nikki
Mommies & Curls - lots of pictures and tips!
Natural Hair Kids
Styles 4 Kidz
- Online Training - does have a fee

Stylish Selections

Hair Love by Matthew Cherry

Big Hair, Don't Care by Crystal Swain-Bates

Chocolate Hair Vanilla Care by Rory Mullen

Hair by Angela C. Styles

An Essential Guide by S. A. Wynter-Baxter

Princess Hair by Sharee Miller

Happy Hair by Mechal Renee Roe

My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom (Anishinabe/Métis) & illustrator Steph Littlebird (Grand Ronde)