FAQs
Your Questions, Answered
The National Center is committed to expanding access to adoption competent mental health services and strengthening the professionals who support children, youth, and families. This FAQ page provides answers to common questions about our programs, training opportunities, resources, and partnerships.
Does the National Center set policy or provide guidance?
The National Center provides technical assistance and guidance to States, Tribes, and territories (STTs) to strengthen adoption competent mental health systems. While the National Center does not set policy, we support partners in integrating adoption competence into policy, contracts, and system practices to sustain long-term impact.
How does the National Center relate to C.A.S.E., NTI, and the Children’s Bureau?
The Center for Adoption Support and Education leads the National Center and is nationally recognized for advancing adoption competent mental health practice. C.A.S.E. developed the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI), a key training program that builds an adoption competent workforce. The National Center is funded by the Children’s Bureau and works to expand these efforts nationwide.
How can States, Tribes, and territories request technical assistance?
States, Tribes, and territories (STTs) interested in Intensive Technical Assistance can contact the National Center to explore opportunities for support in building adoption competent mental health systems. Outreach helps determine readiness, needs, and alignment with available TA resources.
How are sites selected for Intensive Technical Assistance?
The National Center works with interested States, Tribes, and territories (STTs) to conduct a mutual assessment of readiness and need. Participation in Intensive Technical Assistance is based on alignment and available capacity. All STTs can access Universal Technical Assistance to support adoption competent mental health system development at any time.
What is expected of participating States, Tribes, and partners?
Participating STTs form a multidisciplinary Steering Team to guide the technical assistance process. Team members collaborate with the National Center to co-develop and implement a work plan that strengthens adoption competent mental health systems through cross-system collaboration and shared leadership.
What data is collected and how is it used?
The National Center collects data on participation in training programs such as NTI, as well as feedback through surveys and interviews. This information is used to improve technical assistance, strengthen adoption competent mental health strategies, and enhance outcomes across child welfare and mental health systems.
What happens if a site is not selected for Intensive Technical Assistance?
All States, Tribes, and territories have access to Universal Technical Assistance, including resources, tools, and training to support adoption competent mental health systems. Sites not selected for Intensive TA may engage at any time and can be considered for future opportunities.
How long does participation in Intensive Technical Assistance last?
Intensive Technical Assistance typically lasts 18–24 months, depending on the needs of each site. This timeframe allows partners to build sustainable adoption competent mental health systems through planning, implementation, and ongoing support.
Can families participate directly in this work?
Yes. The National Center prioritizes lived experience as a core component of building adoption competent mental health systems. Youth, young adults, and parents/caregivers are actively engaged as partners in planning, decision-making, and implementation across all TA sites.
What is adoption competence?
Adoption competence is a research-informed framework of knowledge, values, and skills that equips professionals to provide effective mental health care to children and families impacted by adoption, foster care, and kinship. It is developed through specialized training, strengthened through supervision and coaching, and sustained through ongoing learning. While rooted in adoption practice, these principles apply broadly across child welfare populations.
How can a system become adoption competent?
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Building an adoption competent mental health system starts with cross-collaboration across child-serving systems. States, Tribes, and organizations can:
This approach strengthens alignment between mental health and child welfare systems and supports long-term system change. |
What training resources are available?
A range of training opportunities supports the development of an adoption competent workforce:
- The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI)
- Training for Adoption Competency (TAC), a cohort-based program for clinicians
- Advanced learning through the C.A.S.E. Academy
In addition, the National Center offers webinars and a Knowledge Hub with hundreds of resources to support ongoing learning across child welfare and mental health systems.
Which states, Tribes, and territories have partnered with the National Center, and what has been the impact?
The National Center has partnered with sites including Oklahoma, Illinois, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Michigan, and Navajo Nation.
Across these sites, partners have strengthened cross-system collaboration in child welfare, expanded access to adoption competent mental health services, and built sustainable systems that improve outcomes for children and families.
How can families access adoption competent mental health services?
Families can use the National Directory to find providers trained in adoption competent mental health care in their area. These professionals understand the unique experiences of children and families impacted by adoption, foster care, and kinship systems and can provide more responsive, effective support.
I'm a therapist. How can I become adoption competent?
Becoming an adoption competent mental health provider starts with specialized training. Professionals can:
- Explore NTI and other adoption competence training programs
- Participate in advanced learning opportunities such as TAC
- Engage in ongoing coaching, supervision, and professional development
These steps help build the knowledge and skills needed to support children and families impacted by child welfare.
Have Additional Questions?
The National Center is committed to providing the information and support you need. If you don’t see your question answered here, please reach out to our Director of Knowledge and Dissemination; Erin Bader, MSW, LCSW for assistance. We’re happy to help connect you with the appropriate resources, programs, or opportunities.