Adoption competent mental health services apply to any child who has experienced disrupted attachments.  Put another way, being adoption competent means you are permanency competent.

Permanency competence means understanding the unique experiences of children and families involved in child welfare and responding with trauma‑informed, family‑centered care. It goes beyond placement—focusing on helping children build secure relationships, process loss and identity challenges, and stay connected over time. Permanency‑competent professionals view behaviors through a lens of trauma, empathy, and resilience, supporting families throughout their lifelong journey.