Making Permanence Possible

At the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), we work across every level of the permanence ecosystem to ensure families stay together and thrive.

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Mental Health Services

Offering adoption-competent therapy, case management, and support that sustains permanence to children and families in the adoption, foster, and kinship care community.

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Training + Education

Providing adoption-competent trainings to professionals nationwide so they can respond to the unique needs of adoptive, foster, and kinship families.

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Systems Change

Building bridges between the child welfare and mental health systems - removing barriers that stand between families and the care they need.

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At the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), we work across every level of the permanency ecosystem to ensure families stay together and thrive.

CBHC Children's Behavioral Health Collective Press Release

Mother and Son in Adoption Competent Therapy

Families Shouldn’t Have to Give Up Custody to Get Mental Health Care

Featured in The Imprint, C.A.S.E. CEO Debbie Riley, LCMFT calls attention to the heartbreaking reality that some families are forced to relinquish custody to access critical mental health care for their children and why systemic change is urgently needed.

Read The Imprint Op-Ed Article

National Behavioral Health Collective to Improve Services for Children & Families

A new Children’s Behavioral Health Collective (the CBH Collective) was formed with representatives from a broad array of systems to leverage the extensive national expertise of its partners to foster resilience, health, and wellbeing for children, youth, and families with behavioral health needs.

The founding members of the CBH Collective include the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), Chapin Hall, Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators (CJJA), Family Run Executive Director Leadership Association (FREDLA), Foster Care Alumni of America, Innovations Institute at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work, National Association of Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), Social Current, and the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA).

Read CBHC Press Release

Introducing the New W.I.S.E. Up!®

C.A.S.E. is thrilled to officially introduce the refreshed W.I.S.E. Up! — a modern evolution of the program families & professionals have trusted for 25 years.

Designed to empower children in adoptive, foster, and kinship families, this new chapter brings fresh energy, engaging tools, and expanded opportunities to make an even greater impact nationwide.

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FREE Maryland Pre- and Post-Permanency Supports

C.A.S.E. is thrilled to announce the continuation of our partnership with Maryland DHS/SSA to provide FREE adoption-competent therapy services for adoptive, kinship, and guardianship families across Maryland! This generous grant covers individual and family therapy for both pre- and post-permanency families, and provides a comprehensive array of supports designed to help post-permanency families thrive.

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What is Adoption-Competent Therapy?

C.A.S.E. therapists provide specialized adoption-competent therapy to children, teens, adults, and families throughout MD, VA, D.C. Metro Area. Live outside of the D.C. Metro area? Search C.A.S.E.’s Adoption Competence National Directory

Schedule an Initial Appointment

What is Adoption Competence?

Adoption Competence is a pursuit of deep skills, values, and knowledge rooted in being understanding of the complexities of adoptive, foster, and kinship care to address loss and grief, identity formation, sense of belonging, and more.

This specialized adoption-competent lens is our foundation. Our new evidence confirms the power and impact of adoption-competent mental health care. It’s what families deserve access to nationwide, and it’s what we work to build and preserve – every day.

Adoption Competence National Directory

Search for Adoption Competent Trained Mental Health Therapists Nationwide!

Search our National Directory

Trainings for Professionals

Backed by 25+ years of clinical expertise, the C.A.S.E. Training Institute equips child welfare, mental health, and school professionals with evidence-based, trauma-informed training programs.

Learn More about our Trainings

Counseling Services

We offer specialized, adoption-competent therapy, case management, and support that helps ensure permanence to children and families in the adoption, foster, and kinship care community.

Access Counseling at C.A.S.E.

Policy + Advocacy

C.A.S.E.'s advocacy efforts bring important issues including federal funding for the expansion of adoption-competent post-adoption services.

Policy + Advocacy

Resources

Access an array of webinars, support groups, blogs, articles and tools to support the adoptive, foster, and kinship community!

Access our Free Resources

Let’s Get Started

Find Support. Gain Knowledge. Create Change.

For Individuals & Families

Turn to us for services, support and strength.

Get Support

For Professionals

Train with us to advance your practice.

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Get Involved

Make an impact for children and families in the adoptive, foster, and kinship community!

Support our Mission

Your Gift Makes
Adoption-Competent
Mental Health Care
Possible

Your donation ensures that those experiencing adoptive, foster, and/or kinship care have access to specialized, adoption-competent mental health care to navigate grief, trauma, attachment challenges, and identity development with expert support.

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