C.A.S.E. 25th Anniversary

C.A.S.E. is celebrating 25 years in 2023!

C.A.S.E. opened it’s doors 25 years ago in 1998 with the mission to provide adoption-competent mental health services to an underserved and overlooked population.

We invite you to join us on a special journey as we mark this milestone — a journey of heart, mind and courage. A journey that ultimately leads home.

View a Timeline of Our 25-year History
4_Award 2003 Kathleen Dugan Ellen Baron Debbie Riley

“No child should ever be returned to care.” – Kathleen Dugan, C.A.S.E. Co-Founder

 

 

Founded in 1998

In 1998, more than 17 years into the Dugan family’s adoption journey, Mike and Kathleen Dugan cofounded the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) with Debbie Riley, LCMFT, C.A.S.E. CEO so that other children and families would get the mental health services they needed to thrive. And no child would be at risk of being “returned.”

25 years later…

Center for Adoption Support and Education began in C.A.S.E. CEO Debbie Riley’s home 25 years ago and today has grown into 7 office locations throughout the Maryland, Virginia, D.C. Metro area and has been established as a nationally recognized leader in the adoption, foster and kinship community.

C.A.S.E. 25th Anniversary Gala Recap

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) shared a magical night celebrating C.A.S.E.’s 25th Anniversary!

Mistress of Ceremony, Kym Whitley, lit up the night with her effervescence and personal connection to adoption and C.A.S.E. Gala co-chairs, Maria Garcia Anderson and Phil Gibbs once again worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event along with our C.A.S.E. staff and volunteers.

C.A.S.E. recognized their 2023 C.A.S.E. Stars of Adoption, Michael and Kathleen Dugan, co-founders, for their vision and contributions to C.A.S.E. as well as Lucy Wheeland, who with such honesty shared her own mental health challenges and the power of philanthropy.

View 2023 C.A.S.E. Gala Photos

C.A.S.E. Staff Share Why They Do This Work 

Anthony Hynes
Anthony Hynes Training Specialist
“I do this work to improve the lives of children and families touched by the child welfare system. As an adoptee, I am aware of the challenge”
Avi Burstein
Avi Burstein Chief Operating Officer
“I do this work because I have seen and experienced what it is like to need specialized highly focused care ”
Barb Franck
Barbara Franck Adoption-Competent Therapist
“I do this work because as I was building my own family through adoption. I began to experience some of the unique dynamics ”
Bonnie Westfall
Bonnie Westfall NPAC Post-Adoption Support Coach
“I do this work because I love playing a small role in helping adoptive families get connected with the services they need”
Brooke Petersen
Brooke Petersen Adoption-Competent Therapist
“I do this work because it challenges me every day in different ways, I love my coworkers, I get to be part of an organization ”
Casey Rozmes
Casey Rozmes Adoption-Competent Therapist
“I do this work because it is a humble privilege to support clients and families in recognizing the healing power”
Chiara Jones
Chiara Jones Baltimore City Case Manager
“I do this work because it’s very rewarding! I love helping and educating families around adoption topics and issues.”
Courtney Carter
Courtney Carter Digital Marketing & Communications Manager
“I do this work because social work is a passion of mine. I am able to use my digital marketing skills and knowledge ”
Dawn Wilson
Dawn Wilson NTI Director
“I do this work because I saw the impact on staff and on children and families when child welfare and mental health professionals”
Edna Davis-Brown
Edna Davis-Brown NTI Implementation Specialist
“I do this work because of the ‘real impact’ it makes on the lives of youth and families across the U.S. ”
Ellen Franks
Ellen Franks Quality Assurance Specialist
“I do this work because of the unique and powerful assistance that C.A.S.E. provides to adoptive, foster and kinship parents and caregivers ”
Erika Owusu
Erika Owusu Research Coordinator
“I do this work because I want children to feel seen and loved.”
Felecia Woodard
Felecia Woodard Marketing & Communications Coordinator
“I do this work because my professional goal is to make a difference in someone’s life, even if it is a small difference. ”
Heather Sowers
Heather Sowers Adoption-Competent Therapist
“I do this work because families need a coach for when life is hard, a cheerleader to celebrate small successes ”
Kylie Golden Adoption-Competent Therapist
“I do this work because it is an honor and privilege to support children and families who have been impacted by foster care and adoption.”
Laura Ornelas
Laura Ornelas NTDC Director
“I do this work because IT MATTERS.”
Lauren DeFrese
Lauren DeFrese NPAC Post-Adoption Support Coach
“I do this work because as an adoptive parent myself I realize that adoption is a lifelong journey ”
Leslie Savary
Leslie Savary Chief Financial Officer
“I do this work because I was at a point in my life and career that I wanted to give back to the community. ”
Leslie Wright
Leslie Wright NTI Curriculum Manager
“I do this work because after spending many years working in a Treatment Foster Care setting, I could clearly see the need ”
Maqueda Brown
Maqueda Brown Comptroller
“I do this work because C.A.S.E.’s work as an organization is extremely invaluable to adoptive and foster families across the country. ”
Monica Jackson
Monica Jackson Development Coordinator
“I do this work because I always wanted to be able to help people in some type of way. Working for a nonprofit gives me that. ”
Regi Corbie
Regi Corbie Adoption-Competent Therapist
“I do this work because adoption-competency provides an invaluable lens to understanding my clients’ life experiences.”
Susan LaVigna
Susan Lavigna Adoption-Competent Therapist
“I do this work because as an adult adopted person, I understand the importance and impact adoption-competent therapy has on families.”
Tamara Arsenault
Tamara Arsenault Development Director
“I do this work because I nearly lost my daughter to suicide. I know the importance of early intervention and family-focused therapy ”
Tamara Burke
Tamara Burke Director of Clinical Program Administration
“I do this work because there are brown and black children languishing in foster care and need forever families – I am their voice.”
Tewedaj Molla
Tewedaj Molla Adoption-Competent Therapist
“I do this work because I believe that all people deserve to have a quality of life. ”
Tonyala Scott
Tonyala Scott NPAC Information & Referral Specialist
“I do this work because I enjoy talking to parents and explaining what C.A.S.E. does and what can be offered to each family”
Yasmin Lewis-White
Yasmin Lewis-White Human Resources Director
“I do this work because I think it is important that people are able to feel a sense of fulfillment through their work. ”