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.

Critical Role of Trauma-Informed Schools

At iCARE, we understand how critical trauma-informed schools are in supporting adoptive, foster, and kinship children who have experienced complex trauma. School social workers act as detectives, unraveling the past through careful observation and collaboration to address behavior linked to trauma. By creating individualized support plans, these schools help children heal, learn, and thrive socially and academically.

Bound for Belonging

We’re excited to announce the Bound for Belonging: Book Bundle Giveaway! Schools who commit to NTI adoption competency training for their staff will qualify to win $200 in adoption, foster and kinship books from iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families for their school library to be awarded in May 2025.

Understanding Adopted Foster and Kinship Students: The Importance of Knowing Their Care Situation

As an educator, understanding the unique experiences of adopted, fostered, and kinship students is crucial for their emotional and academic success. Did you know that a child’s care situation can significantly influence their behavior and learning? By implementing a trauma-informed approach and fostering open communication with caregivers, you can provide tailored support that addresses their specific needs. Discover how your insights and actions can lead to positive outcomes, not just for individual students like Sarah, but for building stronger families and communities. Dive deeper into the importance of knowing your students’ care situations and make a lasting impact on their lives.

Guiding Schools Towards Healing: Elevating Trauma-Informed Practices forAdoptive, Foster, and Kinship Children and Their Families

Trauma-informed practices are essential for supporting adoptive, foster, and kinship children in schools. These students often face unique challenges stemming from early life trauma, making it critical for educators to understand and address their emotional and behavioral needs. By adopting trauma-informed strategies, schools can create safe, nurturing environments that promote healing and learning. This approach helps reduce suspensions, increase engagement, and improve academic outcomes. Schools play a key role in shaping the future of these children, and by partnering with caregivers and professionals, they can foster resilience and success for every child.