October gives us the gift of celebrating National Down Syndrome Awareness Month—a time to honor the unique joy, perspective, and love that children with Down syndrome bring into the world.

This month, I am especially excited to share the voices of two families close to our work. My dear friend and advisory board member, Dan Vosnos, writes beautifully about the joys of raising his son, Ellis—a moving reflection on love, growth, and the everyday beauty of parenting a child with Down syndrome. We are also delighted to feature a video story from the Kent family, who adopted their daughter Lili through our partner organization, Let It Be Us. Their journey building their beautiful family is a reminder of the delight held in every child in every family. 

Nearly half of children in foster care live with special health care needs—far more than the 20% seen in the general population. These challenges, which include conditions like Down syndrome, autism, and other complex medical or developmental needs, are often compounded by the disruption of foster care itself. That’s why our partners at Let It Be Us launched the Special Families Program, recruiting families prepared for special needs care, supporting caseworkers in making the right matches, and ensuring that children grow up in homes where they can truly thrive.

And this is not just a local need. Right now, through organizations like Reece’s Rainbow, there are more than 40 children with Down syndrome waiting internationally for adoptive families. Each one is a reminder that while the challenges are real, the joy and love these children bring is immeasurable.

Here at iCARE, we know that when families are supported, children heal—and when children heal, communities thrive. That’s why we continue to advocate for adoption-competent policies and schools that understand the invisible challenges our children carry.

This month, I’m also sharing insights in Shaping Policy That Heals on the new Children’s Adversity Index, reminding decision-makers that children in adoptive, foster, and kinship families often carry adversity not captured in community data. And in our featured article, Where Is the Training for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship Kids in Schools? we raise a critical question: if our children spend most of their day in schools, why isn’t there training to equip teachers and staff to understand and support them?

Everywhere we go, we see people leaning in—educators, policymakers, and community leaders all asking for tools to better support families. That’s why iCARE is stepping into more spaces, including presenting at the national AMLE conference, to make sure this message reaches the people who can carry it forward in their schools and communities.

But we cannot do this without you. Every dollar you give helps us:

• Place Connection Kits™ into the hands of educators and families.
• Expand Connected We Thrive™ educator training for schools.
• Build circles of support around children who need it most.

Families like the Vosnos’ and Kents remind us that children with Down Syndrome and other special needs don’t just need homes—they give back immeasurable joy, perspective, and love to those lucky enough to raise them.

💙 Support Families. Heal Children. Strengthen Schools.
When We CONNECT, Children THRIVE.