Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

Congratulations to Thomas Dent on being named a 2026 Angels in Adoption Honoree by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. As an adoptive parent, former foster parent, and through his work at the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, Thomas has put his heart into serving Mississippi’s children and helping them find the love of a forever family. His compassion and commitment are a blessing to so many across our state, and I am proud to celebrate him and this well-deserved honor.

10/08/2026

Please join us in congratulating Wendy Spoerl on receiving the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's Angels in Adoption Award.

This well-deserved honor was awarded this past week at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Special thanks to Senator Jon Husted for nominating Wendy, and for being a consistent champion for foster and adoptive families.

We can't think of a better way to culminate 26 years of tireless service to children and families across the country. Congratulations, Wendy!

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

Join the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services for an interactive webinar exploring the importance of Permanency and Adoption Competent mental health care and the role lived experience plays in shaping responsive, family-centered systems of support.

[Webinar] Voices That Shape Care: Centering Lived Experience in Adoption Competent Mental Health Care

Lived experience is essential to building mental health services that truly meet the needs of children, youth, and families impacted by adoption, foster care, kinship care, and guardianship.

Join the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services for our October webinar exploring how lived experience perspectives can strengthen adoption-competent care and help shape more responsive, family-centered systems of support.

Tuesday, October 20 | 1:00 p.m. | Virtual (Zoom)

Through reflection, discussion, and activities, participants will examine the difference between adoption-competent and non-adoption-competent approaches, and explore the important role of parents and caregivers in family-centered healing.

The session will feature three of the National Center's Lived Experience Advocates, who will discuss their work within States, Tribes, and territories (STTs), and offer insights into how lived experience is helping inform and strengthen system improvement efforts.

Participants will leave with practical ideas for meaningfully elevating lived experience and championing adoption-competent mental health within their own systems, services, and partnerships.

Register today to join the conversation and learn how centering lived experience can help strengthen adoption competent mental health services and systems of care: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3317903429139/WN_adS_TvbtQsiHlDNdpzjo3w

09/18/2026

This past summer, our 2026 Foster Youth Interns brought their lived experience and advocacy straight to Members of the U.S. Congress. Check out a preview of their congressional briefing here – the full video is available now on our YouTube channel (link in bio)!