C.A.S.E. 25th Anniversary

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 challenges children from these backgrounds face throughout their life in an intense way. My mission is to support them as they grow to understand that they are more than their lived experience, a box commonly painted on them by a society that often sees them solely through that prism.  The knowledge gained about foster care and adoption comes primarily from the voices of children and adults with lived experience. As such, my work also seeks to highlight the adult voices of those touched by the child welfare system.

I do this work because I have seen and experienced what it is like to need specialized highly focused care and how many barriers are in place. I have seen quality impacted as a way to reduce these barriers however, I believe that in areas of health and wellness, people shouldn’t have to choose. I work hard to make access easy and reduce as many barriers as possible while focusing on the operations to reduce the workload and increase satisfaction for the ones providing the care. I know it works and when it clicks a small part in this world becomes better.

I do this work because as I was building my own family through adoption. I began to experience some of the unique dynamics and realized the need for specialized, experienced therapeutic supports for people connected to the constellation of adoption. So fortunate to be in the DC area, with my family, as Debbie embarked on her vision of creating CASE. I do this work with hopes of highlighting the value of diversity and expanding our understanding of the ways we can support youth and families.

I do this work because I love playing a small role in helping adoptive families get connected with the services they need, for families to feel supported, and know that they are not alone.

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 that makes a difference, and I’m always learning.

I do this work because it is a humble privilege to support clients and families in recognizing the healing power of vulnerability and honoring their grief.

I do this work because it’s very rewarding! I love helping and educating families around adoption topics and issues. I also love advocating for children and families that may not have a voice. I enjoy helping pre-adoptive and adoptive families with the tools to have a successful adoption that includes permanency, safety, and love. I always keep in mind that healing does not occur until the temporary becomes permanent. The best place for a child to heal is in a permanent, stable, and loving family. I simply do this work because no child should have to linger in the foster care system. Every child deserves to have a permanent family that loves them, and a home where they feel safe and secure.

I do this work because social work is a passion of mine. I am able to use my digital marketing skills and knowledge to increase the online brand awareness of C.A.S.E.’s services and help many families and professionals receive the help and resources they are searching for.

I do this work because I saw the impact on staff and on children and families when child welfare and mental health professionals weren’t using best practices. Having the opportunity to direct the development and implementation of NTI Training has truly been a highlight of my career. I am so proud to work for C.A.S.E. and to have the opportunity to impact the child welfare and mental health workforce and through them, improve the outcomes for so many children and families.

I do this work because of the ‘real impact’ it makes on the lives of youth and families across the U.S. Moreover, how NTI truly helps child welfare and mental health professionals better understand the importance of addressing the unique mental health needs of those they serve and how to apply the skills and knowledge they have gained.

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 seeking to understand and support their adopted and foster children through a trauma-informed lens. I do this work because C.A.S.E. is training an ever-broadening group of therapists and child welfare professionals nationally in evidence-based practices to support these children and families. I do this work because, when it comes to recognizing and meeting the needs of children and families affected by adoption, foster children and kinship care, C.A.S.E. is the place!

I do this work because my professional goal is to make a difference in someone’s life, even if it is a small difference. I take pride in promoting C.A.S.E.’s services that helps both professionals and adopted/foster families.

I do this work because families need a coach for when life is hard, a cheerleader to celebrate small successes and someone who can be present with them in whatever they’re feeling in the moment.

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. The world has a long way to go in learning the lifelong impacts of complex trauma and disrupted attachment and it is my mission and passion to serve as a voice, advocate, and knowledgeable leader in supporting families in navigating their journey.  Every child deserves to be experienced as ‘good,’ to be part of a loving, safe family, and to build an individualized toolbox to guide them through life. Being a part of that is my why.

I do this work because as an adoptive parent myself I realize that adoption is a lifelong journey and want to be able to support other families who are also on this journey.

I do this work because I was at a point in my life and career that I wanted to give back to the community. I have been at C.A.S.E. for over 8 years. I love the work that we do and the lives that we touch.

I do this work because after spending many years working in a Treatment Foster Care setting, I could clearly see the need for adoption competent mental health services for families, but could also see that this would not happen without additional training for mental health professionals to expand their knowledge and skills related to adoption competency.

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. In addition to mental health services, C.A.S.E. is a leader in training other therapists to be adoption-competent therapists. Knowing the impact we have on this population, makes me feel very proud to work at C.A.S.E.

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.  I like seeing the end result as well. To see that all the work you put into it and the smiling faces and the many thank yous in the end.

I do this work because as an adult adopted person, I understand the importance and impact adoption-competent therapy has on families.

I do this work because I nearly lost my daughter to suicide. I know the importance of early intervention and family-focused therapy and I want other families to have access to quality mental healthcare.

I do this work because there are brown and black children languishing in foster care and need forever families – I am their voice.

I do this work because I believe that all people deserve to have a quality of life. One of the ways to secure a quality life is through maintaining mental health wellbeing. By working as a mental health professional, I extend my services to the people I work with so that they enjoy having the quality of life they deserve.

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, because all families have different situations and stories. Also, when families call and they are feeling hopeless and afraid that no one will understand them or that C.A.S.E. staff can’t help with the current situation, only to find out that Our staff has training, experience, and compassion for what the families are experiencing. It brings a sense of ease to the family and fear turn into excitement.

I do this work because I think it is important that people are able to feel a sense of fulfillment through their work. In my role, I have the opportunity to connect people to a mission that inspires them and contributes to making the world a better place for others.