Connected Together™ is our monthly e-newsletter designed to bring families, educators, mental health professionals, and all those who support adoptive, foster, and kinship children together. Each edition features helpful articles, real stories, and the latest research to keep you informed, inspired, and connected.
June 2026
Illinois makes history as HB 4536 passes both chambers, and 4,500 free Connection Kits™ head to schools this fall to launch the Adoption & Foster Friendly Schools™ movement.
May 2026
Three former foster youth raise their voices for systemic change, and historic legislative progress in Illinois and Washington brings new hope for children in care.
April 2026
Stress for children impacted by adoption, foster care, and kinship care goes deeper than everyday pressure. This issue explores the invisible weight they carry and how schools can help lift it.
March 2026
National School Social Work Month is a reminder that the professionals who quietly show up every day are often the ones holding space for a child’s whole story, not just their behavior.
February 2026
February is a time to look beyond love as a symbol and explore how early experiences shape a child’s sense of safety, trust, and connection in the classroom and at home.
December 2025 / January 2026
Nearly 500 parents, caregivers, teachers, and social workers joined iCARE trainings this year. As the season turns, we look ahead at what’s possible for the children we serve.
November 2025
November is National Adoption Month, a time to honor what family really means: trust, care, and shared joy. This issue shares stories of connection that remind us what that looks like in real life.
October 2025
Fall brings reflection and fresh opportunities to support adoptive, foster, and kinship families. This issue marks a new season of connection and community.
September 2025
A new school year is a fresh start for every child. This issue explores what it truly means to welcome students into your classroom from day one and see how awareness and advocacy meet real life!
August 2025
Back-to-school means more than backpacks and supplies. This issue prepares educators and families to meet children where they are, emotionally and relationally, before the bell ever rings.
Summer 2025
When school is out, the routines that anchor many children disappear. This summer edition offers ideas for keeping kids supported, connected, and loved all season long.
May 2025
May brings two vital causes together: foster care and mental health. Jocelyn shares her story, and an adoptive dad’s wake-up call shows how much families can grow when they stay open to learning.
April is Stress Awareness Month, and this issue digs into how stress shows up differently for children with trauma histories and what caregivers and educators can do to help.
In honor of National Social Worker Month, this issue celebrates the professionals who walk alongside children on their healing path and help build the connections that change lives.
Love in action looks like policy change, community investment, and showing up every day for children in foster, adoptive, and kinship care. Big news inside.
A new year is a powerful invitation to prioritize mental health for the children who need it most. This issue explores what a fresh start can mean for foster and adoptive families
As 2024 wraps up, we reflect on what it means to truly thrive together, and celebrate the community that shows up, season after season, for children who need us most.
Welcome to the very first issue of Connected Together, iCARE’s monthly newsletter. Join us on this journey as we work to make a positive impact, one child at a time.
