Strengthening Support for Adopted, Foster, and Kinship Children in Illinois Schools

Strengthening Support for Adopted, Foster, and Kinship Children in Illinois Schools

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rep. Michelle Mussman; Sen. Sara Feigenholtz; Sen. Laura Fine; Dr. Dana Weiner, Chief Officer of the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation; Tonya Edwards, MSW, M.A., IASSW VP and Legislative Chair; Dawn Wilson, Director of NTI; and the West40 ISC #2 Team, including Cara Wiley, Director of Grants; Suzy Dees, Senior Director of Professional Learning; Lezlie Fuhr, Director of Foster & Youth in Care Services; and Dr. Sonya Spaulding, Director of Professional Learning. Additional thanks to Michael Karner, Ed.D, Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools; Jenny Sterpin, Ed.D, Executive Director of Special Education, Compliance and Grant Management, Lake Forest School Districts 67 & 115; Dr. Jenny Wojcik, Superintendent of Roundout 72; Allison Pierson, Assistant Regional Superintendent, Boone-Winnebago ROE; Michelle Grove, Council Liaison, Office of Caregiver & Parent Support; Karen Tiemann, President of ICEARY; policy directors from ISBE, IASB, IPA, DCFS, IDFPR, ICOY, Casey Family Programs; and so many others who have supported our mission.

On January 16, 2025, advocates, educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers gathered for a legislative roundtable with a shared mission: to improve the lives of children in Illinois’ foster, adoptive, and kinship care systems. The conversation was rich, passionate, and forward-thinking, with participants united in their commitment to ensuring these vulnerable children receive the support they need in our schools.

What emerged from the roundtable was a powerful collective call to action: raising awareness through grassroots outreach and ensuring that mental health training for school professionals is better aligned with the unique needs of children from foster, adoptive, and kinship backgrounds.

Key Insights and a Unified Vision

One of the most striking points that came out of the meeting was the urgent need for targeted mental health training for Illinois school staff. Research shows that nearly 50% of children in foster and adoptive care between the ages of 12 and 17 need mental health services, yet many educators and mental health staff lack the specialized training necessary to meet these needs. This gap often results in misdiagnosis and ineffective interventions.

To address this, the group emphasized the importance of trauma-informed practices—approaches that understand the impact of adoption and foster care on children’s emotional and academic development. Such practices help create safe, supportive learning environments, where children can thrive.

Dawn Wilson from the National Training Institute (NTI) presented an exciting new training initiative called the School-Based Adoption Competency Training for Mental Health Professionals. This free, evidence-informed accredited program aims to equip school staff with the knowledge and tools to better support students from foster, adoptive, and kinship families. By fostering a deeper understanding of trauma and attachment, and actionable steps for school mental health professionals, this training can prevent costly missteps and provide children with the care they deserve.

The Impact of Better Training

The benefits of universal training are clear: schools that implement trauma-informed practices see measurable improvements in both academic and emotional outcomes. Key statistics shared during the roundtable demonstrate the tangible value of such programs:

  • 28% reduction in student dropouts
  • 25% decrease in mental health crises
  • Significant reduction in the need for costly out-of-district placements (which can range from $80,000 to $160,000 per child annually)

Furthermore, a 1% improvement in graduation and incarceration rates for the 20,000 children in Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) care could save the state nearly $70 million.

The Power of Partnership and Community

Perhaps the most heartening takeaway from the roundtable was the collaborative spirit that permeated the discussion. As one attendee aptly put it, “What a Kids Win Day!” It was a reminder that when parents, educators, mental health professionals, and elected officials come together, they can move mountains. The energy and momentum in the room were palpable as everyone shared their commitment to improving outcomes for children in care.

The iCARE4 Schools Connection Kits—designed to be a resource for schools—are one example of how this collaboration is taking shape. These kits contain over 20 ready-to-use tools and resources aimed at helping schools implement trauma-informed practices. By equipping all Illinois schools with these resources, iCARE is providing the support necessary to make real change in the classroom.

What’s Next? Building on Momentum

Looking ahead, the group is focused on piloting training initiatives and gathering feedback to fine-tune these efforts. Upcoming training opportunities include the IASSW Training (Feb – May 2025) and Illinois School Districts in the summer of 2025. The goal is to continue expanding the reach of these programs and consider if further potential legislative action or guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) would be beneficial to ensure sustainability.

But there’s more work to do. To ensure these initiatives reach every school in Illinois, we need your support. The iCARE4 Schools Connection Kits are free, and schools across the state can benefit from them. Your help in supporting and getting the word out can make all the difference.

Call to Action: Partner with Us

We invite schools, organizations, and community leaders to join us in this mission. Whether it’s by hosting training sessions, participating in future training initiatives, or distributing free Connection Kits, your involvement will help amplify our collective impact.

To get involved or learn more, please reach out to the following contact:

Laura Adams, iCARE4 Adoptive and Foster Families: laura@icare4aaff.org

We’ll have a follow-up roundtable in early June 2025, hosted by iCARE.

Together, we can make sure that love—in all its forms—guides the work we do for Illinois’ adopted, foster, and kinship children, ensuring that our schools become places of safety, support, and growth.

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— NEXT ONLINE COURSE STARTS ON Sep 24TH —

TBRI® Fall Virtual Online Training

ANY parents of kids and caregivers who’ve had trauma — take a FREE, VIRTUAL TBRI® training offered for the first time in the evenings (Tuesday from 5:30-7:00, Sept. 24th – Dec. 17th), with trained therapists from The Baby Fold in Illinois. A zoom link will be sent to registered attendees closer to class time along with manuals for each section.