National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative

04/07/2026

04/01/2026

C.A.S.E.'s 2025 research study and nationwide survey reveal that adoption-competent therapy produces measurable improvements in family outcomes—and that the need for that training far outpaces current access.

For professionals ready to build that foundation, the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) offers a free, web-based starting point. Grounded in the competencies of C.A.S.E.'s accredited Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) program, NTI is designed to give clinicians, child welfare professionals, and school staff the tools to support foster, adoptive, and kinship families in understanding their losses, their questions, and their paths toward well-being.

C.A.S.E. Training Institute Director Dawn Wilson, MSW, reflects on what the findings mean for NTI and what it looks like for organizations to get started.

Learn more about NTI today: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/blog/what-do-the-research-findings-from-our-tac-effectiveness-study-and-survey-results-mean-for-nti/

11/23/2024

Very powerful article - sharing so you don't miss it!

11/18/2024

Learn more about the free NTI web- based training which gives child welfare and mental health professionals knowledge and skills to address challenges that compromise well-being and family stability. adoptionsupport.org/nti

When youth create meaningful connections with peers and adults within their culture, they develop a deeper connection to their community and a sense of belonging. Hear stories about relational permanency and how it’s improving outcomes for youth.

https://www.childwelfare.gov/adoptionmonth/youth-family-voices

10/28/2024

Join us for the webinar on October 30th at 2pm EST. All social workers from across the nation will benefit from learning about the practice-changing NTI training! www.adoptionsupport.org/NASW4NTI

What is the Free NTI Training?

The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) supports social work and provides free NASW-approved CE credits!

More than 25,000 child welfare and mental health professionals have enrolled in NTI training nationally, to effectively support children, youth, and their foster, adoptive, and guardianship families. NTI makes a clear difference for social workers in advancing practice and improving outcomes! Learn more: www.adoptionsupport.org/nti

Learn more about the free training opportunity at our upcoming information webinar on October 30th at 2pm ET.

11/08/2023

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new and improved website!🎉 🎉 Our URL remains www.adoptionsupport.org, yet the revamped site is tailored to enhance user experience, boost performance, and offer even more valuable content.
Here are a few of the key changes:
- User-Friendly Interface: The new website features a modern, intuitive design that makes navigation easy and enjoyable.
- Enhanced Content: We have updated and expanded our content to provide more comprehensive information about our products & services.
- Improved Speed and Reliability: The website has been optimized for speed and reliability, ensuring a smoother browsing experience.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Our website is now fully responsive on all devices, making it accessible on smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
· Search Functionality: A robust search feature has been integrated to help users quickly find the information they need.

Please explore all our new site has to offer and share your thoughts, suggestions via email to marketing@adoptionsupport.org.

www.adoptionsupport.org

11/03/2023

C.A.S.E. participated in the Children’s Bureau 2023 National Adoption Month Celebration yesterday. CEO Debbie Riley was a guest speaker and C.A.S.E. team members Dawn Wilson, Ashley Garcia-Rivera, Laura Ornelas and Mary Wichansky were on hand to recognize the 2023 Adoption Excellence Award honorees!

11/02/2023

C.A.S.E.'s Dawn Wilson, Director, National Training Institute presented at a Congressional Briefing this morning, addressing the adoption from foster care workforce crisis. Dawn focused on workforce issues related to mental health and post-adoption support and was joined on the panel by Patrick Lester, Executive Director of Voice for Adoption, Melinda Lis, Vice President
Spaulding for Children and La Tika Smith, an advocate for adopted youth.

09/29/2023

Today at 2:00pm EST, the NTI team is presenting (Re)Ignite Your Spark! Webinar at the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute's September 2023 Workforce Development Month Event. (Re)Ignite Your Spark! will explore strategies and skills to address challenges and help recognize when we are making a difference, and reigniting the spark that compelled us to do this work in the first place. Register here:https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ejxf7m6m66f7a279&oseq=&c=&ch=

09/22/2023

This morning, C.A.S.E. hosted the Nurturing Minds: Exploring Mental Health Resources for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship Families Forum for school-based professionals in the Washington Metropolitn area. During the forum Debbie Riley, C.A.S.E. CEO, shared resources offered by C.A.S.E. that support creating an inclusive space for children and teens touched by adoption, kinship and foster care. The forum included an interactive panel of C.A.S.E. Emerging Leaders who shared their lived experiences.

08/26/2023

Hear The Center for Adoption Support and Education CEO, Debbie Riley, LCMFT, discuss strategies for parents to share their adopted child’s story with love and empathy, including more about her book on this topic,
Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens.
Purchase a copy of the book here - https://store.adoptionsupport.org/product/BTM-B/beneath-the-mask-understanding-adopted-teens

Founder of The Center for Adoption Support and Education Debbie Riley, LCMFT, joins us to discuss strategies for parents to share their adopted child’s story with love and empathy, including more about her book on this topic, Beyond the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens.

07/26/2023

C.A.S.E. is hosting its 22nd Annual Golf Tournament benefiting adoptive, kinship and foster families on Friday, September 8, 2023 ⛳ at Whiskey Creek Golf⁠ Course.
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A variety of sponsorship opportunities are still available. ⁠
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Please register your foursome now and plan to join us on the course to support our efforts in providing the highest quality of mental health services, trainings and resources for the families that need us. ⁠
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Click here for more info: http://adoptionsupport.org/golf