iCARE Champion Scholarship for Future School Social Workers
This annual scholarship (2026-2028) supports passionate graduate students dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of adoptive, foster, and kinship children.
Funded by Sweet Peach Tree and awarded by Founder Kate Shanahan in partnership with iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families, this scholarship will help equip future school social workers with the knowledge and skills they need to serve these unique student populations.
Eligibility Criteria and Required Documents
- Social Work graduate students, in their final year of grad school or internship in Illinois, who are considering working in a school setting
- Student Applicant Resume
- Letter of recommendation
- Applicant response to three essay questions
Application Deadline for 2026: June 15, 2026 – Simply apply through the online portal and upload your materials in PDF format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the iCARE Champion Scholarship for Future School Social Workers
The Sweet Peach Tree iCARE4 Adoption Competency Scholarship is an annual $500 scholarship (2025-2028) awarded to Social Work graduate students who are pursuing a career in school settings and are dedicated to enhancing their ability to support the unique needs of adoptive, foster, and kinship children.
Funded by Sweet Peach Tree, and awarded by Founder Kate Shanahan in partnership with iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families, this scholarship aims to support the next generation of school social workers by providing financial assistance to help them better serve vulnerable students in educational settings. Sweet Peach Tree is an online marketplace that sells natural high-quality hair and skin care products specifically catered to diverse, multiracial families.
What is the Purpose of the Scholarship?
The scholarship aims to equip future school social workers with the tools, knowledge, and training needed to effectively support adopted, foster, and kinship children, helping them thrive in educational settings. By funding this scholarship, Sweet Peach Tree and iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families are investing in professionals who will play a critical role in supporting children with complex family experiences—creating healing-centered school environments where every student feels understood, supported, and set up for success.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
This scholarship is open to Social Work graduate students in their final year of graduate school or internship in Illinois.
Priority consideration is given to applicants who have completed the School-Based Mental Health Training for Adoption Competency through the Training Portal at the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) https://adoptionsupport.org/case-training-institute/school-based-mental-health-professionals-training/
What are the Application Materials Required?
To apply for the scholarship, candidates must submit the following materials to our online portal by clicking the APPLY NOW button below or visiting: https://icare4aaff.org/scholarship-application-submission/:
- Student Applicant Resume
- Letter of recommendation from a Clinical Supervisor, Fieldwork Supervisor, or Academic Instructor who is familiar with the applicant’s work, skills, and potential in the field of social work.
- Student applicant responses to the following three essay questions:
- Why is adoption, foster care, and kinship competency essential for school social workers serving today’s students?
- How do you plan to use adoption-competent training to be a Champion for children and families in school settings?
- Describe any experience you have working with adopted, foster, or kinship-connected children or families.
When is the Application Deadline?
The application deadline for the 2026 scholarship is June 15, 2026. Applications must be submitted via the online portal and uploaded in PDF format. (Portal closes June 15, 2026 at 11:50pm CST)
How is the Scholarship Winner Selected?
Recipients of the iCARE Champion Scholarship for Future School Social Workers are selected through a collaborative review process.
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee composed of members of the iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families Board of Directors, in partnership with Kate Shanahan, the scholarship sponsor.
The committee considers:
- Demonstrated commitment to adoption, foster care, and kinship competency
- Completion of (or progress toward) the School-Based Mental Health Professional Training to enhance adoption competency (SBMHT) by C.A.S.E.
- Thoughtfulness and clarity of the applicant’s essay responses
- Experience working with—or a clear intention to serve—adopted, foster, and kinship-connected children in school settings
We are looking for applicants who demonstrate readiness to serve as future Champions within the Adoption & Foster Friendly Schools™ Movement.
All applications are reviewed holistically, with care given to both lived experience and professional aspirations.
"As a mom and advocate, I know firsthand how vital it is for adoptive and foster families to feel truly seen and supported. School social workers are on the front lines, shaping the experiences of these families every day. Sweet Peach Tree is proud to fund the iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families to help equip social workers with the tools and understanding they need. When we invest in those who support our families, we create a world where every child feels truly valued, loved, and celebrated."
