Center for Adoption Support and Education

05/11/2025

parents, caregivers, and child welfare professionals! Join us for a free in-person workshop on supporting foster, adoptive, kinship, and guardianship families through the holidays.

The holidays can be a time of both joy and stress for children who are not with their birth parents, exacerbating feelings of loss and difference. Join us for a free, in-person event about navigating the holidays for foster, guardianship, kinship, and adoptive families.

🗓 Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: TouchPoint Baltimore, 3201 Tioga Parkway, Baltimore, MD
🎓 Includes 1 free CE credit for professionals (approved by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners)

Register today: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/for-baltimore-city-md-parents-professionals-navigating-the-holidays-for-foster-guardianship-kinship-and-adoptive-families/

(Registration ends on Friday, November 26 at 11:59pm ET)

This workshop is provided at no cost thanks to a generous grant from The Aegon Transamerica Foundation and Whiting-Turner.

04/11/2025

Last month, C.A.S.E. proudly sponsored and presented at the 2025 Families Rising Conference, joining hundreds of passionate individuals advancing the field of adoption, foster, and kinship care.

The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) team’s presentation, “Helping Youth Thrive: Strategies for Supporting Youth in Care,” emphasized the importance of training, compassion, and collaboration in transforming child welfare systems. Together, participants explored how a well-prepared support network can profoundly impact the well-being and success of youth in foster care, kinship care, and adoption systems.

At our exhibit table, we were proud to share C.A.S.E.’s programs and resources and to build connections with the dedicated individuals, families, and professionals who make this community so strong. We’re inspired by the collective commitment to helping every young person in the permanence ecosystem truly thrive.

Learn more about C.A.S.E., including our NTI training, on our website: www.adoptionsupport.org

03/11/2025

Please join us in celebrating Cassie Ravo, LMSW, joining C.A.S.E. as our Kinship Support Coach!

Cassie Ravo, LMSW, holds a Master of Social Work from Catholic University and a Master of Public Administration from American University. With over 15 years of experience in public service, including senior roles at the FDA, Cassie has led financial analysis, evaluations, and organizational initiatives.

She is deeply committed to strengthening her community, coordinating a local school food pantry and coaching Girls on the Run. She has also served as a foster parent since 2017 and was recognized as an Arlington Foster Parent of the Year in 2021.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Cassie to the C.A.S.E. team, where her expertise and compassion will help families thrive.

Learn more about Cassie and our entire team on our website: https://adoptionsupport.org/about-us/meet-our-team/

31/10/2025

Today is the last day to sign up for the Kids’ Adoption Network (KAN) 2025 Conference! Registration closes at the end of the day, so if you’ve been waiting to register, this is your reminder to sign up now!

The KAN Conference is a full day of fun and learning that includes lunch and engaging activities for children, teens, parents, caregivers, and prospective adoptive parents.

Parents participate in insightful workshops led by adoption experts and panel discussions with adult adoptees. Kids explore and learn through workshops designed by our highly trained adoption-competent therapists in groups by grade, with teens (Grades 9-12) together in one group. The day ends with carnival games and prizes.

The registration fee is $65 per participant. Fees are waived for those who adopted through a local Department of Social Services.

We can't wait to see you there! https://adoptionsupport.org/kids-adoption-network-kan-2025-conference/

30/10/2025

S*F Webinar: Best Practices in Search & Reunion — Insights from C.A.S.E. Therapists

Thursday, November 20th, 2025, 1:00PM-2:30PM EST

Join us for the next installment in our Strengthening Your Family Webinar (S*F) series, facilitated by C.A.S.E.’s Training and Content Development Specialist Anthony Hynes, Ph.D. During this workshop, Dr. Hynes will engage with experienced therapists from C.A.S.E.’s team and share valuable insights on search and reunion. Drawing from their direct work with clients, this panel will explore best practices, common challenges, and what helps make reunions more meaningful and emotionally safe. Whether you’re a professional, adoptee, or part of the adoption ecosystem, this session offers thoughtful guidance grounded in real clinical experience.

In conjunction with our adoption advocacy partner, The Jockey Being Family Foundation, C.A.S.E offers 600 FREE registrations to each Strengthening Your Family (S*F) Webinar. Use coupon code NAVIGATING to receive free registration at checkout. NOTE: No CEs will be offered for this webinar.

Learn more + register today: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/syf-webinar-best-practices-in-search-reunion-insights-from-c-a-s-e-therapists/

30/10/2025

Earlier this month, we hosted a powerful and deeply meaningful panel in Baltimore City featuring C.A.S.E. Staff and our Emerging Leaders. Through open dialogue, we deepened our understanding of adoption as a lifelong journey rooted in family, curiosity, and compassion.

Here are a few standout reflections from our conversation:

“Adoption is an ongoing experience and those that are around us are on the journey with us. The best way for family and friends to care about us is to be curious.”

“Adopted the act. Adoption the process. Adoptee the identity.”

“Family is the unit of healing – it’s not just in therapy sessions. It should be a way of being, not just for therapy.”

We’re deeply grateful to our panelists for sharing their lived experiences and to our audience for engaging in the conversation with care and thoughtfulness.

Join us for our next Baltimore City event for parents and professionals “Navigating the Holidays for Foster, Guardianship, Kinship, and Adoptive Families”: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/event/for-baltimore-city-md-parents-professionals-navigating-the-holidays-for-foster-guardianship-kinship-and-adoptive-families/

28/10/2025

Registration is closing soon for the Kids’ Adoption Network (KAN) 2025 Conference, but there’s still time to sign up!

KAN is a full day of fun and learning with engaging activities for children, teens, parents, caregivers, and prospective adoptive parents, plus meaningful opportunities to connect with other adoptees and adoptive families.

When: November 15, 9:00am-4:30pm
Where: McLean School, 8224 Lochinver Lane, Potomac, MD 20854
Lunch is included with registration.

Registration Fee: $65 per participant
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 31

Fees are waived for those who adopted through a local Department of Social Services.

Don’t miss this incredible day of connection, community, and learning.

Learn more about KAN + register today: https://adoptionsupport.org/kids-adoption-network-kan-2025-conference/

23/10/2025

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀’ 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗞𝗔𝗡)!

At the close of our 2024 KAN Conference, this family shared a short reflection about their experience. We are grateful for their kind words and hope this encourages you to join us at this year’s KAN!

The KAN Conference is a full day of fun and learning that includes lunch and engaging activities for children, teens, parents, caregivers, and prospective adoptive parents.

Parents participate in insightful workshops led by adoption experts and panel discussions with adult adoptees. Kids explore and learn through workshops designed by our highly trained adoption-competent therapists in groups by grade, with teens (Grades 9-12) together in one group. The day ends with carnival games and prizes.

Registration fee: $65 per participant. Registration closes October 31.

Fees are waived for those who adopted through a local Department of Social Services.

We can't wait to see you there! https://adoptionsupport.org/kids-adoption-network-kan-2025-conference/

22/10/2025

Why NTI School-Based Training Matters!

School professionals play a critical role in supporting students in foster care, adoption, and kinship placements. Our School-Based Mental Health Training Team has been featured in leading national publications, highlighting why this training matters and how it helps create safer, more supportive schools.

Read the full blog on our website to explore these resources and learn how School-Based Mental Health Training can make a difference in your school, district, or community. https://adoptionsupport.org/nti/resource/articles-for-school-professionals/

21/10/2025

Ashley Garcia Rivera Garcia-Rivera, Policy Advisor at C.A.S.E., will join James Minter, Advocacy Director at the Selfless Love Foundation, along with a diverse group of young adults, advocates, and leaders, as a facilitator at the Selfless Love Foundation National Think Tank this October. Together, they will explore how youth-led advocacy can transform adoption practices and help build a stronger, more supportive system for young people.

Ashley recently spoke with James about the upcoming event and the importance of centering youth voices. He also reflected on his role at the Selfless Love Foundation (SLF):

“As the Advocacy Director with SLF, my primary focus is working alongside young adults in bringing about change they want to see in the foster care system. The issues and solutions that are presented are from young adults, and the solutions are ones I get to assist in developing with them.”

Read more from Ashley and JR’s conversation on our website: https://adoptionsupport.org/resource/blog/reimagining-adoption-at-the-2025-selfless-love-national-think-tank/

20/10/2025

We are excited to welcome Molly Clement as the new Information and Operations Manager for The National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services at C.A.S.E.

Molly brings more than 16 years of experience advancing child welfare, foster care, independent living and adoption services at both state and local levels through direct practice, program development, and system management. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Oklahoma Panhandle State University and a Master of Social Work from West Texas A&M.

In her previous leadership roles, Molly provided strategic oversight to foster care and adoption services, led statewide initiatives to strengthen permanency outcomes for children and youth, and championed workforce development to support staff resilience. She has also directed programs supporting youth transitioning from foster care, working to improve service coordination across behavioral health, disability, and education systems. She began her career in direct practice, which continues to inform her leadership and advocacy with a strong commitment to elevating the voices of those with lived experience.

Please join us in giving Molly a warm welcome to the team. We are thrilled to have her expertise!

Learn more about Molly and our entire team: https://adoptionsupport.org/about-us/meet-our-team/

15/10/2025

Early Bird Special Ends Soon!

Don’t miss your chance to save on registration for the Kids’ Adoption Network (KAN) 2025 Conference. But hurry, Early Bird pricing is only available through October 17!

KAN is an exciting, family-centered event that features:
● Engaging activities for kids & teens, led by our adoption-competent therapists
● Insightful programming tailored for parents, caregivers, and prospective adoptive parents
● A fun-filled end-of-day carnival where everyone comes together to celebrate community

We can’t wait to see you there! Let’s connect, learn, and build lasting memories together.

Learn more + register today: https://adoptionsupport.org/kids-adoption-network-kan-2025-conference/