Press Release-Center for Adoption Support and Education CEO Debbie Riley Inducted Into National Adoption Hall of Fame

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Hilary Forslund
Chief Marketing Officer
forslund@adoptionsupport.org

Burtonsville, MD —

The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) is proud to announce that CEO Debbie Riley, a lifelong champion for adoptive families and mental health advocacy, will be inducted into the National Council for Adoption’s (NCFA) Adoption Hall of Fame on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. This prestigious honor recognizes Riley’s extraordinary dedication to transforming mental health support for adoptive, foster, and kinship families, and her commitment to their well-being.

“Being inducted into the National Council for Adoption’s Hall of Fame is a deeply humbling honor,” said Riley. “To be included in this esteemed honoree community is a privilege and an affirmation of the importance of this work. For 26 years, I’ve been fortunate to serve as co-founder and CEO at C.A.S.E., an organization at the forefront of ensuring that the mental health needs of adoptive, foster, and kinship families are met with expertise, compassion, and unwavering support. This recognition reflects not only the dedication of our incredible team, but also the lessons learned from the voices of the families we serve. As we look to the future, I am more committed than ever to continuing our work, transforming the landscape of adoptive, foster, and kinship care support, and expanding our reach to help even more families thrive.”

With more than 26 years at the helm of C.A.S.E., Riley has been a pioneer in addressing the unique challenges faced by adoptive families and advancing the field of adoption-competent mental health services. Under her leadership, C.A.S.E. has launched critical Children’s Bureau–funded initiatives the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI), and the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services, which work to enhance adoption competency training for child welfare and mental health providers, and build bridges between the mental health and child welfare systems. Riley was also instrumental in creating the C.A.S.E. Academy to elevate clinical practice in permanency. Through these efforts, C.A.S.E. reaches thousands of families locally and across the country nationally each year, supporting them with knowledgeable and compassionate care.   

As a licensed therapist, renowned author, and sought-after speaker, Riley has been an unwavering advocate for raising awareness about the mental health needs of adoptive, foster, and kinship families. Her first-of-its-kind book Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens details the six most common adoption “stuck spots” and unmasks the disguises that teens hide behind as they transition from childhood to adulthood. Riley’s work has also been featured in numerous publications, including a recent feature in the American Psychological Association’s Monitor on Psychology for National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. Her influence extends through collaborations with federal agencies, state governments, and nonprofits to broaden access to adoption-competent mental health care. 

The NCFA’s Adoption Hall of Fame recognizes leaders whose work has significantly advanced adoption policy, practice, or family support. Riley’s induction celebrates her profound impact in this space and her continued efforts to ensure that every adoptive, foster, and kinship family has access to the highest level of support. 

For more information on Debbie Riley’s work with C.A.S.E. or to learn more about adoption-competent mental health services, please visit adoptionsupport.org 

About C.A.S.E.

Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) is a national leader transforming the mental health of the adoption, foster, and kinship community. C.A.S.E. provides adoption-competent mental health services for families as well as specialized training and support for the professionals who serve them. Since 1998, C.A.S.E. has helped families navigate the complexities of adoption, building stronger, healthier relationships and fostering lifelong success for children and their families.