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

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

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