Assembly Day June 21
Assembly Day June 21, 2025 We’re assembling something BIG—and we need your hands and your heart! Please join us for our June iCARE4 Schools Connection Kit™ Assembly Day! If you […]
From the Founder – May 2025
May is both National Mental Health Awareness Month and National Foster Care Month—two causes central to our mission at iCARE. We’re excited to welcome Jocelyn Fetting, a fierce advocate with lived experience, to help drive our efforts to get Connection Kits™ into schools. Her powerful voice, alongside contributions from other champions like Cathleen Beachboard and Pam Myers, is helping us create real, systemic change for children in adoptive, foster, and kinship families.
Legislative Spotlight – May 2025
At iCARE, we understand that children in adoptive, foster, and kinship families often carry complex emotional needs that can be triggered in school environments. A family systems approach, similar to the Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTMs) used in child welfare, can help schools provide more supportive, coordinated care. By inviting caregivers into planning processes and using trauma-informed strategies, schools can create a more healing-centered environment that promotes long-term success. This collaborative approach ensures that children continue to receive the stability, trust, and support they need to thrive, both in school and at home.
The Power of Art and Play in Supporting Connection and Healing
Art and play are vital tools for supporting children who have experienced trauma, providing a safe space for expression and healing. Through open-ended art, children can explore their emotions without fear of judgment, while play allows them to process complex experiences and build resilience. When adults create a supportive, attuned environment, these creative outlets foster connection, emotional awareness, and a sense of safety, helping children heal and grow.
Hope and Attachment
As an adoptive mother and educator, I’ve learned that children don’t just need love—they need hope. Hope, like attachment, can be built through connection, structure, and meaningful conversations. By measuring and fostering hope, we help children rebuild trust, confidence, and a sense of safety, planting the seeds for a brighter future.
Adopt a Peep Project
The day after my son’s 9th birthday, he brought home a small ‘peep’ from his class as part of the Adopt a Peep Project. Intended to teach responsibility, the assignment became an emotional reminder of his adoption journey. For many adoptive families, such projects can unintentionally highlight feelings of displacement and abandonment. While the project was well-meaning, it lacked the sensitivity needed to address the deep complexities of adoption. This experience underscored the importance of fostering awareness and empathy in educational settings to ensure all children feel safe, understood, and truly connected.
Jocelyn Fetting
As someone who grew up in care, I knew firsthand how much school can mean to a young person searching for stability. My little sister has been in care for […]
Legislative Update April 2025
A Month of Inspiration and Collaboration! This past month, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a full-day meeting with some of the leading experts in child welfare and mental […]
Raising an Adoptive or Foster Child
Navigating the complexities of adoption, foster care, and kinship can feel like managing seven layers of stress at once. From feelings of rejection and shame to the challenges of forming secure attachments, the emotional landscape for adopted children is uniquely layered. Understanding these core issues is crucial for caregivers and educators alike. As children grow through each developmental stage, the impact of trauma can shape their identities and relationships. Discover how we can transform stress into strength and support these children on their journey to healing and empowerment. Join us in exploring this vital topic!
The Hidden Stress of Adoption, Foster Care, and Kinship
When children experience adoption, foster care, or kinship placement, their stress often runs deeper than meets the eye. Beneath the surface, past trauma and disrupted attachments can leave lasting imprints on a child’s brain and emotional well-being. Understanding these hidden stressors is the first step in helping kids move from survival mode to a place of safety and healing.
