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.

From Left to Right: Aurene Martin, Lee Marshall, Sarah Font, Debbie Riley, Kate McLean

Mother and Son in Adoption Competent Therapy

Reflections from C.A.S.E. CEO Debbie Riley’s Congressional Testimony

On March 26, 2026, Debbie Riley, LCMFT, CEO of the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.),

testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies during the hearing, Advancing Permanency in Child Welfare: Leveraging Federal Funding for Adoption Programs, which focused on how federal investments can strengthen permanency and outcomes for children and families.

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C.A.S.E. 2026 Gala
Empowered Voices. Brighter Futures.

Join C.A.S.E. on April 11, 2026, 6:00-10:00pm at National Housing Center, Washington D.C. to support the adoptive, foster and kinship families we serve.

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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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New Research Confirms Power of Adoption-Competent Mental Health Care

Two landmark reports provide the strongest evidence to date on what works—and what families still need.

New research from C.A.S.E. confirms that adoption-competent mental health care makes a measurable difference in family outcomes, yet access remains limited. Explore our national survey and multi-state effectiveness study to see what families are saying, and why it’s time for bold systems change.

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SYF WEBINAR: Navigating the Intersection: Black Adoptee Mental Health and the Search for Identity

Join us on Thursday, April 16th, 2026 at 1:00pm – 2:30pm EST as Tony Parsons, Adult Adoptee, will unlock the complex layers of the Black/transracial adoptee experience.

Learn More + Register

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. It’s what families deserve, 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.

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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.

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For Professionals

Train with us to advance your practice.

Access Training

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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