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 […]
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.
From the Founder – September 2025
From the Founder – September 2025 As we step into September and a new school year, I’m reminded of both the opportunities and challenges that face adoptive, foster, and kinship families. This is a month where awareness and advocacy meet real life. One important focus is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)—a condition more common than […]
The Missing Link in School Attendance:
The Missing Link in School Attendance: Why Connection Matters More Than Ever By Laura AdamsPresident & Founder, iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families Chronic Absenteeism: Still 50% Higher Than Before the Pandemic Five years after COVID-19 disrupted our classrooms, students still aren’t showing up like they used to. The numbers are stark: Chronic absenteeism is 50% […]
The Power of Being Seen
The Power of Being Seen Jocelyn Fetting, BSW Good morning, everyone. I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying your Thursday so far. My name is Jocelyn Fetting- I’m a big sister to two, an almost two-time university graduate, and someone with eight and a half years of experience in the Illinois child welfare system. […]