In 1998, Kathy and Mike Dugan, parents of eight children adopted from the Prince George’s County foster care system, struggled to find a family therapist who understood the impact of trauma and adoption on children’s lives. So the Dugans became unintentional philanthropists: they created CASE, and their vision has since helped thousands of adoptive, foster, and kinship families in the region. Some three-quarters of school-age children in foster care experience abuse, and one-quarter experience PTSD – exacerbated by the trauma of multiple placements. Depression, anxiety, aggression, and fear are common and can challenge a family's survival. CASE offers adoption-competent therapy for children, parents, and families; therapy and case management for children whose age or circumstances create added challenges in finding permanent homes; and training and education for hundreds of professionals about the unique challenges of adoption, foster, and kinship care. If this is your cause, you have found your home.
Headquarters: MD-Montgomery County
Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Statewide; MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; MD-Frederick County; MD-Howard County; VA-Statewide; VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-Loudoun County; VA-Prince William County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Fairfax; VA-City of Falls Church
Age Groups Served: Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+); All
Population(s) Served: All
- Percent of professionals trained to be adoption competent who report improvements in how they serve clients:
100%
Awards & Recognition
2024 - Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency
2024 - Charity Navigator 4-Star Rating
2021 - Career Achievement Award presented by American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)
2020 - Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) accreditation for C.A.S.E.'s Training for Adoption Competency (TAC)
2019 - Adoption Excellence Award for Business Contributions and Initiatives for National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
2019 - National Angel in Adoption, Congressional Coalition on Adoption, awarded to C.A.S.E. National Training Director Dawn Wilson, MSW
Press
- National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative - with Lisa & Edna
Sun May 2 2021, WGBB Radio Adoption and Foster Family Coalition of New York's "After the Kids Move In"
Interview about the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative with Specialists Lisa Maynard & Edna Davis Brown.
- Off Script: The Excitement and Challenges of Adopting a Child
Tue May 22 2018, WUSA 9
When Washington D.C.'s Mayor Bowser announced adoption of a baby girl, WUSA 9 turned to C.A.S.E. for expertise.
- Great Day Washington: C.A.S.E. Makes an Impact
Mon May 14 2018, WUSA 9
Live interview with CEO Debbie Riley and the Battle family on the impact of C.A.S.E.'s mental health counseling for adoptive families.
- Adoption competent mental health services can make all the difference
Wed Sep 21 2016, The Hill
C.A.S.E. CEO Debbie Riley submitted a letter to the editor in support of the bipartisan Family First Prevention Services Act.
- Writers and performers help release inmates' locked-up creativity
Wed Sep 7 2016, Washington Post
Inmates from Montgomery County Correctional Facility spent two months creating a mural for C.A.S.E. as part of "Project Youth ArtReach."
Budget (FY2023)
- The current budget for Center for Adoption Support and Education is: $3 million or higher
- $1 million to $3 million
- $500k to $1 million
- Less than $500k
Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to
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