Shaping Policy that Heals – June/July
Celebrating Progress and Charting a Path Forward Our Legislative Spotlight has a new name: Shaping Policy That Heals– because real change starts with bold ideas and vision. At iCARE, we’re not just following policy—we are working to shape it, so every child and family has the support they need to heal, belong, and thrive. Celebrating Progress […]
International Adoptee Experience Report – April 2025
Prepared for Distribution to iCARE Members Overview This report summarizes the findings of a recent survey of international adoptees, with a primary focus on individuals adopted from China. The data reflects responses from 27 participants, all of whom were adopted internationally. The aim of the survey was to better understand adoptee perspectives on their experiences […]
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 care about education, mental health, and strengthening families, this is your chance to be part of something meaningful, fun, and deeply impactful. 📅 When: Saturday, […]
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 the last ten years. With multiple placement changes, school is supposed to be a safe haven– a place where she can breathe, be seen, and […]
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 health, including Dr. Dana Weiner, Dr. Verletta Saxon, and the team from the National Center for Adoption Competency as part of the Healing Centered Task […]
