Guiding Teens to a Stronger Sense of Self

Adoptive teens face unique challenges when it comes to identity, and those struggles can sometimes be misdiagnosed as social anxiety. While both issues involve self-consciousness, fear of judgment, and social withdrawal, it’s crucial to understand how identity confusion can often look like social anxiety—leading to incorrect diagnoses and missed opportunities for healing in adopted and foster children. iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families supports holistic and comprehensive assessments for accurate diagnosis and effective support.

Holiday Truth – 2024

Let me tell you a Truth: holiday magic is messy. We are made to believe we are only doing holiday magic right if it is all family, feasts, glitter, presents, and joy. 

Legislative Update – December 2024

Your Voice Matters: Shaping a Better Illinois for Families

As the Illinois General Assembly prepares to transition from the 103rd to the 104th session in January, now is the perfect time to reflect on how we can improve our state for adoptive, foster, and kinship families. While the holiday season may seem like a busy time to engage in advocacy, your voice has never been more crucial.

Every family’s story highlights unique challenges that policies can address. Whether it’s revisiting a bill that didn’t pass, introducing an idea from another state, or tackling an overlooked issue, your perspective can shape meaningful change. Legislators are here to serve their communities, and they rely on your input to guide their work.

Advocacy doesn’t have to be intimidating—reach out through a call, email, or letter and share your experiences. Personal stories bring policies to life in ways data cannot, and they can ignite important conversations. Even if you don’t get an immediate response, persistence pays off.

As we look to the next legislative session, let’s collaborate to make Illinois a place where every family has the resources they need to thrive. Your voice matters—let’s use it to make a difference.

We Hear You, Schools

We get it—schools want to provide the best for their staff and students, but the idea of “free” training often comes with hidden costs, like staff time away from the classroom. We know that asking teachers and school staff to juggle their busy schedules for training can feel like a heavy lift.
But here’s the good news: We’ve got some practical solutions to help you implement the free trauma-informed NTI adoption-competency mental health training without straining your resources.

2025 Vision

iCARE is an innovative nonprofit designed to improve the lives of children in foster, adoptive, and kinship families by providing the tools, training, and resources needed to support their academic and social-emotional success. Our focus is on connecting the school system with families, professionals, and legislators. Here’s how we are making an impact in 2025:

Connection Kit

Every student is unique, and for those from foster, adoptive, and kinship families, school can bring extra challenges like trauma, loss, and instability. iCARE4 Schools Connection Kits are here to help! Designed for school staff, these kits include fun, trauma-informed tools to create supportive, inclusive environments.

In Illinois, 15% of students come from these families, often facing emotional hurdles that impact grades and friendships. With iCARE4 Schools Connection Kits, school professionals gain the resources they need to help these students thrive through connection, understanding, and care.

Understanding Adoption Terminology: The Power of Language

Language has a powerful influence on how adopted children and their families feel about their experiences. Using positive adoption terminology, like “birth family,” “permanency,” and “placed for adoption,” respects the child’s unique story and helps create an inclusive environment. Instead of phrases that may imply judgment or favoritism, such as “real parent” or “given up for adoption,” positive adoption language affirms each part of a child’s journey.
Respectful language is essential in schools, healthcare, and social services, where understanding and inclusivity can significantly impact a child’s self-esteem and sense of belonging. By promoting inclusive terminology, educators and professionals create a space where children feel acknowledged and understood. National Adoption Month is a great opportunity to educate ourselves and others on adoption language that builds respect and inclusivity for all families.

The Critical Role of Partnership: Stop Giving Trauma All the Power

Trauma can significantly impact adopted, foster, and kinship children. Collaboration among caregivers, parents, and professionals is crucial. This partnership creates a support network, fosters better communication, and builds resilience in children who have experienced trauma. iCare4aaff.org offers resources to help navigate this journey.

How Schools Can Recognize National Adoption Month

National Adoption Month is a chance for schools to show support for adopted students and make classrooms more inclusive. Schools can celebrate in simple, effective ways, from creating adoption-friendly bulletin boards to adding books on diverse families to libraries. Inclusive language, such as saying “grown-ups at home” rather than “mom and dad,” helps create a respectful, welcoming atmosphere for students with different family backgrounds. Teachers can modify family-oriented assignments, allowing students to celebrate unique traditions or values instead of focusing solely on family trees.
Hosting guest speakers or discussions on adoption can also foster understanding, promoting empathy among classmates. Schools can further support adopted students through professional development, like trauma-informed training, which helps educators understand and address the specific needs of students who may have experienced trauma.
By celebrating National Adoption Month with these simple actions, schools promote a compassionate, inclusive environment where all students feel seen and respected, enhancing school culture and building awareness of family diversity.

Empowering Our School Communities

At iCARE, we believe every child deserves to feel seen and valued. Through our initiative, we’re bringing diverse, inclusive books into school libraries that reflect the experiences of adopted, foster, and kinship children. Alongside this, we’re providing mental health training for educators, equipping them with the tools to support these students’ emotional well-being and foster a sense of belonging. Together, we can create school communities where every child’s story is celebrated, and their mental health is prioritized.