Founded in 1998, C.A.S.E. is a national leader focusing on the mental health of adoptive, foster and kinship families.
Emboldened by the core belief that all children deserve a safe, loving, permanent home and
dedicated to providing inclusive, family-focused services. C.A.S.E. draws on expertise, research,
and lived experience to innovate and pay it forward by educating and empowering others.
We are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We demonstrate and uphold
these values by providing an environment that draws on the contributions and strengths of our
diverse staff, partners, clients, and communities.
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.”
Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) is a nationally recognized nonprofit that improves the well-being and permanence of children and families by delivering adoption competent mental health services, training a national network of professionals, and informing the field through research and advocacy.
C.A.S.E. has trained more than 30,000 mental health and child welfare professionals in 43 states and territories. With offices in the greater Baltimore-Washington metro area, C.A.S.E. has provided clinical services for more than 9,000 clients and their families since its founding in 1998.
We value the strong partnerships we have with leading national and local businesses, educational institutions and organizations. Together, we collaborate to promote awareness and provide the highest quality products and services that align with our mission of strengthening the well-being of adoptive, foster and kinship families.
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Due to traumatic life experiences and compromised beginnings, many children who are adopted, who are being raised by relatives (kinship care), or have experienced foster care have higher risks for developmental, health, emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges.
Of therapy clients were children under the age of 18 in 2021.
Served in 2021 through therapy, case management, post-adoption services and Wendy's Wonderful Kids recruitment program.
Registrants for our monthly Strengthening Your Family webinars and parent support groups featuring a wide array of topics for the adoptive, foster and kinship community.
