Center for Adoption Support and Education

26/02/2026

Join us on March 11 over on Instagram Live () for the next Adoptee Author Series event, featuring Sara Easterly!

Join us for the next installment of our Adoptee Author Series, featuring Sara Easterly!

On March 11 at 7:00 pm ET, join C.A.S.E. Training and Content Development Specialist Tony Hynes for an engaging, insightful conversation with award-winning author Sara Easterly. The pair will discuss her engrossing memoir "Searching for Mom," a “disarmingly honest” mother-daughter story.

This event will take place on Instagram Live, so be sure to follow the Center for Adoption Support and Education on Instagram . Read the publisher’s description of “Searching for Mom” below:

Sara Easterly spent a lifetime looking for the perfect mother. As an adoptee she had difficulties attaching to her mother, struggled with her faith, lived the effects of intergenerational wounding, and felt an inherent sense of being unwanted that drove her to perfectionism, suicidal ideations, and fantasy mothers. When she became a mom, her search to find and become “the perfect mother” intensified … until her mother’s death launched a spiritual epiphany. Sara’s perspective as an adoptee offers insight for anyone in the adoption constellation. And her hopeful story with themes of belonging, family, forgiveness, and being known are universally relevant to all mothers and daughters.

Learn more about the author and register on our website: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/adoptee-author-series-sara-easterly/

We hope to see you there!

25/02/2026

Conversations about adoption often center love, but loss is just as foundational.

In this thoughtful reflection, Emerging Leader Emily Kwiatkowski explores the coexistence of grief, love, loyalty, and connection in her adoption story. Drawing from lived experience, Emily's piece challenges simplified narratives and reminds us that adoptees carry multiple relationships, histories, and truths at the same time.

“Love is not a pie with limited slices. It exists in both the roughest patches and brightest times. As children grow, they can hold space for this nuanced understanding of their story and the love and loss that co-existed.”

Thank you, Emily, for sharing your perspective and experience with our community. 💚

Read more on our website: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/blog/adoption-a-story-of-loss-love-and-relationships/

24/02/2026

Calling all parents of teen adoptees, caregivers of kinship youth, and teens in the Northern region of Virginia and Maryland!

The Northern Post-Adoption Consortium (NPAC), which includes both adoptive AND kinship teens, is pleased to offer a FREE in-person workshop for high school-aged teens who were adopted or are in kinGAP or state-funded kinship subsidy families.

This identity group will focus on connecting with other adopted and kinship teens, supporting identity exploration, and providing a safe space to share reflections about their experiences.

Details:
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026
🕰️ 1:00-5:00 p.m.
📍 C.A.S.E. Annandale Office, 7023 Little River Turnpike, Suite 205, Annandale, VA 22003

Come ready to share experiences and eat some pizza with new friends!

Teens will receive an Amazon gift card once they complete a survey on their experiences in the workshop.

🔔 Space is limited, so register by Friday, February 27: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/va-md-teens-in-person-high-school-identity-workshop-march-2026/

This opportunity is provided to families for free in our service region thanks to our partnership with The Virginia Department of Social Services.

20/02/2026

S*F Webinar: Recovery and Repair After Conflict

Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 1:00PM-2:30 PM EST

Use coupon code REPAIR to receive free registration at checkout.

Join us for the March installment of our 2026 Strengthening Your Family Webinar (S*F) Series, “Recovery and Repair After Conflict.”

In this interactive workshop, facilitated by Dr. Gwen Bass, Ph.D., MEd, participants will learn to reframe conflict as an opportunity for growth and walk away with practical steps for repair, empathy, and rebuilding trust after difficult moments. If you interact or work with youth in any capacity, this powerful presentation is for you!

Gwen Bass, PhD, MEd is a parent, educator, researcher, and collaborative consultant with a lifelong commitment to supporting children and families. With a background in psychology, education, and school counseling, Gwen has served as a teacher, counselor, and higher education administrator.

In conjunction with our partner, Jockey Being Family, C.A.S.E offers 600 FREE registrations to each Strengthening Your Family (S*F) Webinar.

Learn more + register today: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/syf-webinar-recovery-and-repair-after-conflict/

19/02/2026

Tickets for C.A.S.E.’s 2026 Gala Getaway Raffle are Now Available!

As part of our 2026 Gala — Empowered Voices. Brighter Futures. — we’re hosting a special raffle to benefit adoptive, foster, and kinship families, and support the professionals who serve them.

Whether you’re local or supporting us from across the country, you can enter to win your choice of three unforgettable experiences:
✨ A breathtaking concert experience at Sphere Las Vegas
✨ A 4-night stay in historic Mexico City with exciting local excursions
✨ A curated culinary experience for you and your loved ones — choose between tapas & wine or tacos & margaritas

With just 300 tickets available, this will sell out fast — secure yours today!

🎟️Learn more about the raffle + purchase your ticket today: https://adoptionsupport.org/c-a-s-e-gala-2026/c-a-s-e-gala-2026-getaway-raffle-trips/

18/02/2026

Well-being requires ongoing support even after permanency is achieved.

C.A.S.E.’s Policy Advisor Ashley Garcia-Rivera explores why access to mental health services is the missing link in sustaining permanency and a sense of belonging.

For children impacted by adoption, foster care, or kinship care, grief, identity questions, and trauma can resurface at every developmental stage. Love alone doesn't erase loss, and families need access to mental health care that deeply understands adoption, foster, and kinship care realities. When support is unavailable or not adoption-competent, individuals and families are left to navigate the hardest moments alone.

This blog highlights the urgent need for adoption-competent care, cross-system collaboration, and policies that recognize healing as a lifelong process, not a one-time milestone.

Read the full blog on our website: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/blog/adoption-a-story-of-loss-love-and-relationships/

17/02/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Tommy McFly back as the emcee for our Annual Gala, "Empowered Voices. Brighter Futures."

This special night brings together community leaders, advocates, partners, and friends who believe every individual and family connected to adoption, foster, and kinship care deserves meaningful support.

Join us on April 11 as we build brighter futures for the communities we serve. Tickets are available for purchase now! https://adoptionsupport.org/gala

We hope to see you there!

12/02/2026

Join us for the next installment of our Adoptee Author Series, featuring Sara Easterly!

On March 11 at 7:00 pm ET, join C.A.S.E. Training and Content Development Specialist Tony Hynes for an engaging, insightful conversation with award-winning author Sara Easterly. The pair will discuss her engrossing memoir "Searching for Mom," a “disarmingly honest” mother-daughter story.

This event will take place on Instagram Live, so be sure to follow the Center for Adoption Support and Education on Instagram . Read the publisher’s description of “Searching for Mom” below:

Sara Easterly spent a lifetime looking for the perfect mother. As an adoptee she had difficulties attaching to her mother, struggled with her faith, lived the effects of intergenerational wounding, and felt an inherent sense of being unwanted that drove her to perfectionism, suicidal ideations, and fantasy mothers. When she became a mom, her search to find and become “the perfect mother” intensified … until her mother’s death launched a spiritual epiphany. Sara’s perspective as an adoptee offers insight for anyone in the adoption constellation. And her hopeful story with themes of belonging, family, forgiveness, and being known are universally relevant to all mothers and daughters.

Learn more about the author and register on our website: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/adoptee-author-series-sara-easterly/

We hope to see you there!

11/02/2026

Register for next week’s S*F webinar, Emptying the Nest: The Art of Launching Differently, with presenter Leslie Hales, LCSW, PIP, today!

S*F Webinar: Emptying the Nest: The Art of Launching Differently

Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 1:00PM-2:30PM EST
Use the coupon code NEST to receive free registration at checkout.

Join us for the February installment of our 2026 Strengthening Your Family Webinar (S*F) Series, “Emptying the Nest: The Art of Launching Differently.”

This workshop, facilitated by Leslie Hales, LSCW, PIP, will explore what it means to “empty the nest”—supporting youth as they transition into adulthood in a rapidly changing world.

Leslie Hales, LCSW, PIP, is a trauma-certified social worker, speaker, and trainer. With more than 24 years of experience, Leslie brings a combination of professional expertise and personal insight, resonating deeply with both professionals and families alike.

In conjunction with our partner, The Jockey Being Family Foundation, C.A.S.E offers 600 FREE registrations to each Strengthening Your Family (S*F) Webinar.

Learn more + register today: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/syf-webinar-emptying-the-nest-the-art-of-launching-differently/

04/02/2026

This week is National School Counselor Week, and we’re honoring the professionals who support students and families every day. School counselors play a vital role in helping children feel seen, safe, and supported. 🏫

We’re proud to share a reflection from C.A.S.E.’s Educational and Training Implementation Specialist Cortney Jordan, MA, LGPC, about the lasting impact counselors have on students—especially those who support students with adoption, foster, and kinship experiences. This work reflects C.A.S.E.’s mission to empower families by promoting the emotional health and stability children need to succeed in school and beyond. Read the full blog on our website.

🔗https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/blog/the-role-that-changed-my-life-reflections-on-being-a-professional-school-counselor/

30/01/2026

Adult Adoptee Rachel Shifaraw reflects on how adoption trauma—the “primal wound”—has shaped parts of her life from childhood into adulthood. She shares how loss, identity questions, and attachment struggles have appeared in different ways over time, sometimes loudly and sometimes quietly. With honesty and care, Rachel describes how this trauma doesn't simply disappear but changes as she has grown, highlighting the importance of adoption-competent mental health support. She reminds us that permanency does not erase loss, and that healing deserves lifelong understanding.

Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your story. 💚

Read the full reflection here: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/blog/my-primal-wound-how-adoption-trauma-has-shown-up-for-me/

29/01/2026

We are delighted to invite you to an unforgettable evening at the Center for Adoption Support and Education’s (C.A.S.E.) 2026 Gala: Empowered Voices. Brighter Futures. ✨

📅 Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 6:00-10:00 PM

📍National Housing Center (1201 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005)

This special night brings together community leaders, advocates, partners, and friends who share a commitment to ensuring that every individual and family connected to adoption, foster, and kinship care has access to the support they deserve.

Guests will enjoy an elegant reception, dinner, an inspiring program, and opportunities to support our mission through our silent and live auctions and Fund-A-Family Scholarship Paddle Raise.

Together, we can continue to provide the tools, education, and resources that empower youth, strengthen families, equip professionals and systems, and build a brighter future for the communities we serve. 💚

🎟️Purchase your tickets and explore sponsorship opportunities today: https://adoptionsupport.org/gala