From the Founder – October 2025
Love Without Limits: Celebrating Families with Children with Down Syndrome 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 […]
References: What AFKP Need to Know
Guided Growth: Educational and Behavioral Interventions for Children and Teens with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Early Trauma (Ira Chasnoff, MD and Ronald J. Powell, MD) The Connected Child (Karyn B. Purvis, PH.D., David Cross, PH.D., Wendy Lyons Sunshine) Profiles in Adoption (National Council for Adoption, 2023) Trust Based Relational Intervention-TBRI® (Karyn Purvis Institute for […]
References: From It Takes a Team
The Connected Child (Karyn B. Purvis, PH.D., David Cross, PH.D., Wendy Lyons Sunshine) Profiles in Adoption (National Council for Adoption, 2023) Trust Based Relational Intervention-TBRI® (Karyn Purvis Institute for Child Development) School-Based Mental Health Professional Adoption Competency Training(NTI, C.A.S.E.) NTDC Training for Foster and Adoptive Parents (Spaulding, Children’s Bureau, DHHS) From Fear to Love (Brian […]
References: From Cradle to Classroom
Guided Growth: Educational and Behavioral Interventions for Children and Teens with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Early Trauma (Ira Chasnoff, MD and Ronald J. Powell, MD) The Stages of Psychosocial Development (Erik Erikson) Trust Based Relational Intervention-TBRI® (Karyn Purvis Institute for Child Development) School Based Mental Health Professional Adoption Competency Training (NTI, C.A.S.E.) Beyond Consequences […]
More Time, More Options
iCARE Graduate Scholarship Update: More Time, More Options We’re excited to announce an extension of the iCARE4 Adoption Competency Scholarship for graduate students in school social work programs. This scholarship supports future professionals in gaining adoption-competent training — equipping them to better serve adoptive, foster, and kinship children. With this extension, students now have more […]
Advisory Board Welcome – Fall 2025
Advisory Board Welcome – Fall 2025 We are thrilled to welcome four new members to the iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families Advisory Board, joining Katie Stoddard and Dan Vosnos who have been with us since our inception. This diverse group of experts, advocates, and parents brings a wealth of experience, passion, and unique perspectives that […]
Parent & Caregiver FAQ 2025 – Senate Bill 1560
Beginning in 2027, Illinois schools will offer annual mental health screenings for students in grades 3–12. This FAQ answers parents’ and caregivers’ top questions—what the law requires, how the screenings will work, and what families can expect.
Shaping Policy that Heals – September 2025
Illinois will soon require annual mental health screenings for students in grades 3–12. Done well, this could be life-changing. But for adoptive, foster, and kinship families, screenings must be trauma-informed and adoption-competent to truly help. Here’s why this new mandate is both a reason for hope—and a call for care.
Understanding Prenatal Alcohol & Substance Exposure:
Understanding Prenatal Alcohol & Substance Exposure: Why Typical Caregiving Strategies Often Fall Short Over the years, I have met some of the most dedicated, loving, and well-informed foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers. Many have been trained extensively in trauma and attachment, yet still face puzzling and persistent challenges when parenting children impacted by prenatal alcohol […]
Parenting Without a Complete Map
Parenting children with FASD often means navigating unknowns. With incomplete histories and invisible challenges, caregivers may live in constant uncertainty. This article explores how awareness, compassion, and adaptability can shift the focus from frustration to connection—supporting children no matter what’s in their file.
