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Building Access Through Partnership: Centene Invests in Illinois TAC Cohort for 2026

Building Access Through Partnership: Centene Invests in Illinois TAC Cohort for 2026

by | Feb 26, 2026 | Adoption Competent Services, Adoption Competent Trainings, Child Welfare Competent MH, For Professionals, Mental Health

Building Access Through Partnership: Centene Invests in Illinois TAC Cohort for 2026

 

The National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services is proud to partner with Centene to facilitate a Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) cohort in Illinois in 2026 which will launch in April 2026.  TAC is the nation’s premiere assessment-based certificate program for training mental health practitioners and developing adoption competency skills. Through classroom and remote instruction, as well as clinical case consultation, TAC students master key clinical skills that support adopted children and their foster, adoptive and kinship families.   

Centene Corp. LogoCentene’s investment in TAC is well-timed. The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) released two landmark research reports in December 2025 that provide the strongest evidence to date that adoption-competent mental health services deliver measurably better outcomes for adoptive families—and that far too few families can access them. 

 

“Birth parents, adoptive parents, adoptees, and kinship caregivers—engage in mental health services at rates 2.5 to 3 times higher than the general U.S. population.”

 

The new data, collected through a nationwide survey and a multi-state effectiveness study, show that families who engaged with TAC-trained clinicians—clinicians who have completed C.A.S.E.’s rigorous evidence-based, accredited Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) program—report stronger therapeutic alliances, higher satisfaction across all dimensions of treatment, more adoption-relevant care, and improved family outcomes. 

At the same time, the national survey reveals that families across the adoption kinship network—including birth parents, adoptive parents, adoptees, and kinship caregivers—engage in mental health services at rates 2.5 to 3 times higher than the general U.S. population, but face significant barriers to adoption-competent care. Just 21.84% of respondents rated their clinicians as adoption competent, with adoptees facing the steepest access challenges.

 

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Families First: Understanding Kinship Care  

Families First: Understanding Kinship Care  

by | Jan 23, 2026 | Adoption Competent Services, Child Welfare Competent MH, for Caregivers and Families, Kinship Care, Mental Health, Parenting

Families First: Understanding Kinship Care  

 

One night, while relaxing at home, Kayla received a surprise call from child welfare. Her sister had been deemed unable to safely care for her three children due to untreated mental health challenges, substance abuse, and housing instability. Faced with the possibility that her nieces, aged 4 and 11, and her nephew, aged 9, would enter foster care with strangers or be separated from each other, Kayla made a life-altering decision: she stepped in. Driven by love and responsibility, Kayla became a full-time caregiver.  

Like many kinship caregivers, Kayla was unprepared for the realities of navigating court hearings, school enrollment, trauma-related behaviors, or the emotional challenge of explaining to children why they could no longer live with their mother. Kayla had no prior experience with the child welfare system and no roadmap for managing such a profound transition.  

What she did have was a strong, shared bond with the children and knowledge of their family history, routines, and cultural identity. She knew, no matter what, they could overcome obstacles as a family.  

 

 

The Power of Kinship Care 

According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, kinship care is defined as the full-time care, nurturing, and protection of children by relatives or individuals with a significant familial or cultural bond. According to the Kids Count Data Center, approximately 2.5 million children and youth are in kinship care arrangements.  

Unlike non-relative foster care or adoption, kinship care allows a child to remain in a familiar environment, fostering a greater sense of identity and belonging, maintaining familial, cultural, and community connections, and increasing the likelihood that siblings will remain together. Kinship placements help minimize the trauma of being separated from their parents and preserve a sense of identity, all of which are beneficial mentally and emotionally. Research shows that children placed in kinship care experience greater placement stability and fewer behavioral challenges than those placed in non-relative foster care.  

 

Challenges in Kinship Care  

Although there is evidence that kinship care produces better behavioral outcomes for children and youth, many families do not receive the support and supervision that traditional foster and adoption families do. Kinship caregivers frequently fall through the cracks of traditional service systems. Common challenges include:  

 

        • Lack of training and preparation for guardianship 
        • Lack of knowledge of child welfare, education, and healthcare systems 
        • Lack of awareness of or access to support services 
        • Financial strain and limited access to resources 
        • Need for legal assistance
        • Caregiver stress, burnout, and secondary trauma 

 Caregivers like Kayla may not identify as foster or adoptive parents, but they shoulder the same responsibilities and emotional demands. 

 

Mental Health Needs in Kinship Care 

While children in kinship placements can experience better behavioral outcomes, they are not immune to the core issues that children and youth with child welfare experience, including complex trauma, ambiguous loss, grief, identity questions, and attachment disruptions. Whether a child is adopted by a relative, placed under guardianship, or raised informally by kin, they still have been separated from their biological family, which can create complex and layered mental health needs. In Kayla’s case, her nieces and nephew stayed with family. However, they still experienced profound loss due to separation from their parents, uncertainty about the future, and confusion about changing family roles.  

 

Adoption Competent Mental Health Care Matters in Kinship Care 

For child welfare professionals, supporting kinship families means understanding that placement stability alone does not guarantee healing. Adoption competent mental health services offer a vital framework for addressing the long-term emotional and relational needs of both children and caregivers involved in kinship care. 

When child welfare professionals intentionally connect kinship families to mental health services that can support permanency, they help ensure that families are not just keeping children safe but are also able to foster healing and growth. With over 20 years of experience providing adoption-competent care at C.A.S.E., we have seen firsthand how investing in adoption-competent, kinship-inclusive mental health care strengthens permanency, eases caregiver bu out, and supports lasting well-being for children and families. 

 

The National Center Supports Kinship Care 

The National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services equips child welfare, mental health, and education professionals, as well as families, with the tools needed to recognize the unique intersections of trauma, loss, attachment, and family dynamics that arise in kinship placements. We also provide resources and support caregivers like Kayla by validating caregiver stress, strengthening caregiver-child relationships, and helping families navigate complex emotions without minimizing the child’s history or experiences. 

 

 

Looking for Additional Resources?

Visit the Knowledge Hub to access models of intervention, training resources, and practical tools to strengthen cross-system collaboration and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. 

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Centering Lived Experience: Oklahoma Launches Lived Experience Competent Care Advisory Council

Centering Lived Experience: Oklahoma Launches Lived Experience Competent Care Advisory Council

by | Jan 20, 2026 | Adoption Competent Trainings, Child Welfare Competent MH>Adoption Competent Services, for Caregivers and Families, Lived Experience, Mental Health, Parenting, Special Event, Support Groups

Centering Lived Experience:

Oklahoma Launches Lived Experience Competent Care Advisory Council

 

The National Center, in partnership with our co-sponsor, the OU Center for Adoption and Family Well-Being, was proud to celebrate the successful launch events for the Oklahoma Lived Experience Competent Care Advisory Council. These gatherings marked a significant milestone in Oklahoma’s commitment to elevating lived experience as a driving force in bridging the gap between mental health services and child welfare, strengthening adoption competency, and advancing family well-being. 

This council is the first statewide body of its kind in Oklahoma to be fully led by Lived Experience Champions. Each council member brings direct experience connected to foster care—whether as a current youth or alumni of foster care, an adult adopted from foster care, a biological parent, a foster parent, an adoptive parent, or a kinship caregiver. This intentional structure ensures that the voices shaping policy, practice, and support systems are those who they most impact. 

To kick off this work, we hosted two launch events—one in Oklahoma City and one in Tulsa—on January 12 and 13, 2026. Across both events, 33 individuals with lived experience participated, representing a powerful group of people directly impacted by the foster care system. Their presence, insights, and leadership set the tone for what this council is designed to be: a space where lived expertise is centered, respected, and used to drive meaningful change. 

The events were moderated by Bonni Goodwin, Ph.D., a mental health expert whose leadership created a welcoming, reflective, and energizing environment. The heart of both gatherings, however, came from our three Lived Experience Champions, who guided conversations, facilitated activities, and modeled what it means to lead with authenticity and courage. Their leadership helped participants explore how lived experience can inform policy, strengthen practice, and shape support systems across the state. 

Throughout the sessions, participants engaged in thoughtful dialogue, reflected on their own experiences, and explored both current initiatives and new ideas for Oklahoma. These conversations highlighted the strengths within Oklahoma communities and the opportunities ahead to build mental health and child-serving systems that truly listen to and respond to those they serve. 

The energy across both events was powerful. Participants expressed excitement, hope, and a shared belief that this council can become a catalyst for long-term, sustainable change. The turnout and engagement demonstrated how ready Oklahoma is to build a future where lived experience is not only included but centered. 

This launch was just the beginning. The council’s official formation was on March 31, 2026, when members began setting priorities, establishing a structure, and identifying key areas where lived experience can have the greatest impact. As the council grows, it will serve as a model for how states can meaningfully integrate lived expertise into their systems—not as an afterthought, but as a core component of adoption competent, compassionate, and effective care. 

We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated in the launch events and to all who continue to champion the importance of lived experience in Oklahoma and beyond. The work ahead is significant, but the passion and leadership demonstrated at these events give us confidence that the council will make a lasting difference for children, youth, families, and communities for years to come. 

Together, we are building a future where lived experience is recognized, respected, and centered in every conversation about adoption competent and trauma-informed care, support, and community wellbeing. The momentum is strong, and we are excited for what comes next. 

 

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The Invisible Divide in Youth Mental Health Care 

The Invisible Divide in Youth Mental Health Care 

by | Jan 13, 2026 | Access to Mental Health Services, Adoption Competent Services, Adoption Competent Trainings, Child Welfare Competent MH, Mental Health

The Invisible Divide in Youth Mental Health Care: 2025 Trends and Their Impact on Children in Child Welfare 

 

“Statistics are important, but the stories behind them are what drive our mission. Every child’s behavior tells us something about their experience.” — National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services

Across the nation, 2025 offers hopeful signs for youth mental health. Rates of major depressive episodes, substance use, and suicidal ideation among youth are decreasing for the first time in several years (Mental Health America, 2025). In the midst of these positive trends, however, some children, especially those experiencing the child welfare system, continue to face trauma, loss, and instability that increase their risk of mental health challenges. While the general youth population shows signs of recovery, those experiencing the child welfare system still have mental health needs that are higher than those of their peers. Although progress in youth mental health deserves recognition, equal attention must be given to young people whose experiences in the child welfare system have too often resulted in unmet mental health needs.  

The National Picture: Gains and Gaps 

According to recent national data, the percentage of youth experiencing a major depressive episode decreased from 18.1% in 2023 to 15.4% in 2024, and youth substance use dropped to its lowest level since 2017. Even more promising, suicidal ideation among young people fell from 12.3% to 10.1%, indicating that expanded crisis services and increased public awareness are beginning to have a positive impact (Mental Health America, 2025). 

There are still gaps in youth mental health care for young people. Over half of the youth with depression receive no treatment, often because of stigma, fear of involuntary commitment, or lack of access to qualified providers. Additionally, schools have reported that they cannot effectively address students’ mental health needs due to limited funding or staffing. Despite these obstacles, the overall outlook for youth mental health remains hopeful.  

The Invisible Divide 

Behind the promising national statistics are children whose early losses, transitions, and traumas shape their emotional worlds in unique ways. As youth mental health trends improve across the country, we must recognize that the healing and well-being of children experiencing the child welfare system relies on the competence and compassion of the adults and systems around them to provide the most effective mental health care and conditions for them to thrive. Data continues to show increasing need, and for system-involved children and youth, the stakes are particularly high. The gap between their mental health needs and the support they receive remains too great.   

However, the movement toward adoption competent, trauma-informed, relationship-centered systems presents a powerful opportunity to close the invisible divide, increase permanency, and continue to further the progress that has been made in youth mental health in recent years. Adoption competence extends beyond general clinical training by equipping mental health professionals with a deep understanding of how early adversity, complex trauma, and attachment disruptions influence emotional regulation, behavior, and relationships throughout development. When systems are adoption competent, services better reflect the lived experiences of children and families and respond not only to symptoms but also to the full context of a child’s history and needs. 

Signs of Hope 

Despite the apparent challenges in providing equitable access to youth mental health care, there are clear signs of hope:  

  • There is a growing awareness and use of adoption-competent and trauma-informed care. Specialized training programs, such as the National Center’s National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) and the Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) Program, help clinicians, caregivers, and educators lea to respond with empathy and patience, understand the story behind the behavior, and respond appropriately.

  • Cross-system collaborations between schools, child welfare agencies, and behavioral health systems are increasingly recognizing that youth mental health requires intentional coordination, especially for children in the child welfare system.

  • There is more of a focus on relationships, connection, and stability regarding youth mental health. Increasing evidence suggests that validated interventions, such as stable placement, nurturing relationships, and consistent support, can positively shift a child’s life trajectory.

Conclusion 

Although there have been significant improvements in certain areas of youth mental health, gaps still exist that prevent every child from accessing the most effective mental health care, especially for children in the child welfare system. More work remains, and the focus is shifting from solely addressing behaviors to establishing strong foundations for youth to flourish. The growing evidence suggests that there is a shift in beliefs and practices in youth mental health services, and adoption competent mental health services will be a contributing factor to the continual progress of youth mental health.  

Reference 

Mental Health America. 2025. The State of Mental Health in America. Retrieved from: https://mhanational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/State-of-Mental-Health-2025.pdf 

Looking for Additional Resources?

Visit the Knowledge Hub to access models of intervention, training resources, and practical tools to strengthen cross-system collaboration and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. 

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Reflecting on Two Years of Progress and Partnership  

Reflecting on Two Years of Progress and Partnership  

by | Dec 16, 2025 | Adoption Competent Services, Child Welfare Competent MH, Mental Health

Reflecting on Two Years of Progress and Partnership  

Letter from the Director of the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services

As we mark two years since the founding of the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services, I am proud of the remarkable progress we have made toward our vision: ensuring every child and family who has experienced the child welfare system can truly thrive

Our mission is clear—strengthening the capacity of States, Tribes, and Territories to deliver adoption-competent, trauma-informed, and responsive mental health services. We believe that three essential pillars unlock better outcomes for families:

  • Workforce Development
  • Access to Adoption-Competent Care
  • Cross-System Collaboration

Through our work, we raise awareness about the importance of care that recognizes the impact of child welfare experience and helps families to heal.  Professionals must be equipped to understand and address the effects of early trauma, separation, and loss, meeting the complex needs of children and families with empathy and expertise.

Building a Network and Expanding Access

Creating a network of adoption competent professionals is critical, but our commitment goes further. We strive for a future where every child, youth, and family has access to adoption competent mental health care.  Access to mental health care remains a national challenge and for this population, the challenge is even greater.   We actively explore and implement creative strategies to dismantle a variety of access barriers.

Collaboration across systems amplifies our impact, supports sustainability, and ensures families get the support they need. We are honored to partner with dedicated professionals nationwide who embrace our mission and drive local action.

Achievements and Impact

In our first year, we focused on building a strong foundation.  We assembled a diverse team of experts, launched our website and Knowledge Hub, and developed outreach and engagement strategies to partner with in States, Tribes, and Territories to advance adoption competency in their systems.

Our second year brought measurable impact. Children and families received services from an ever-increasing adoption competent network of providers.  These newly trained professionals were equipped to effectively support the needs of children and families.  We shared 24 new content pieces, hosted monthly webinars, and expanded our newsletters and social campaigns to increase awareness. Our Knowledge Hub has become a trusted resource for guidance and tools.

Our Intensive Technical Assistance work has been transformative. We are now partnering with Oklahoma, Illinois, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Michigan and the Navajo Nation, each developing innovative models for advancing adoption competency that is tailored to their local context. We are excited as we begin to develop replicable strategies that can be applied to future STT engagements.

Looking Ahead

As we enter our third year, our goals remain clear:

  • Build and sustain cross-system collaboration
  • Enhance workforce adoption competence
  • Expand access to adoption-competent mental health services

Together with Federal partners, States, Tribes, Territories, and leaders with lived experience, we are creating a more compassionate and effective system of care.

Thank you for your partnership and commitment to this vital work. Adoption-competent care doesn’t just change lives today—it shapes the future for generations to come.

 

With gratitude,

Mary Wichansky

National Center Director, National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services

 

 

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Utilizing NTI to Enhance the Adoption Competency of Parent Peer Support Specialists in Child Welfare 

Utilizing NTI to Enhance the Adoption Competency of Parent Peer Support Specialists in Child Welfare 

by | Oct 8, 2025 | Adoption Competent Services>Trauma-Informed Care, Child Welfare Competent MH>Adoption Competent Services, For Professionals, Mental Health, Peer Support

Meeting the Moment: Utilizing NTI to Enhance the Adoption Competency of Parent Peer Support Specialists in Child Welfare 

By the National Center’s Community Engagement Team (CET)

As families and caregivers face ongoing challenges within the child welfare system, one solution is quietly transforming outcomes and restoring hope—parent peer support. Facilitated by individuals with lived experience, peer support programs offer connection, guidance, and healing where traditional services often fall short. 

These programs—ranging from mentorship initiatives to support groups—are vital for families navigating child welfare. Yet access to peer support is increasingly limited due to funding constraints, staffing shortages, and time demands. Meanwhile, demand for peer support professionals continues to rise, even as direct services decline. As systems seek more sustainable, trauma-informed approaches, peer support is gaining recognition as a critical component of care. 

In both mental health and child welfare, parent peer support goes far beyond mentoring. It includes helping families navigate complex systems, attending court proceedings, assisting with insurance and service access, and advocating in school settings. To meet growing demand, parent peer support professionals need specialized training to effectively support families. The National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) is the only nationally accredited training designed to enhance competencies for professionals in adoption, guardianship, and foster care—including those in peer support roles. 

NTI supports professionals working with families impacted by kinship placements, reunification, foster care, and adoption. Its core principles, understanding, connection, and healing, align closely with the foundation of peer support. Drawing from voices of lived experience, peer support professionals embody these values by fostering trust, guiding families, and promoting emotional resilience. Both NTI and peer support elevate the voices of those impacted by child welfare and emphasize compassionate, strengths-based care. 

At the heart of NTI is the recognition of the multifaceted mental health needs of children and families who have experienced child welfare. These needs are shaped by grief, loss, trauma, attachment disruptions, and struggles with identity. Peer support is uniquely positioned to address these needs by creating safe, empathetic spaces where lived experience can be shared without judgment. Mentors and group facilitators have lived experience themselves, allowing them to validate emotions and foster a sense of belonging—critical for those who may feel isolated or misunderstood. 

NTI emphasizes the importance of helping parents and guardians reframe children’s behaviors through a trauma-informed lens. In peer support groups, caregivers often explore how behaviors that may appear as defiance or dysfunction are, in fact, expressions of unmet needs, unresolved trauma, grief, or loss. Sometimes, these behaviors are misdiagnosed as mental healtlh conditions before proper assessment of the impact of earlier life experiences. Peer support professionals play a vital role in helping caregivers understand that challenging behaviors often reflect the emotional impact of a child’s involvement in the child welfare system. This shift in perspective encourages caregivers to respond with empathy and patience rather than labels in order to strengthen attachment, build trust, and foster healing. 

Adolescence is a pivotal time for identity formation, and youth peer support programs are especially impactful during this stage. These programs help young people integrate their stories, build confidence, and develop advocacy skills. Just as importantly, they help youth realize they are not alone. By connecting with peers who’ve faced similar challenges, young people find validation, community, and hope. 

Given the importance of peer support and its alignment with NTI principles, it is essential to equip peer support professionals with the training, resources, tools, and encouragement they need to sustain their work and prevent bu out. As demand continues to outpace workforce capacity, strategies to retain and uplift these professionals are more critical than ever.   

Looking for Additional Resources?

Visit the Knowledge Hub to access models of intervention, training resources, and practical tools to strengthen cross-system collaboration and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. 

Knowledge Hub