Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Names Toria Parsons as Policy Director and Lisette DuFore as Associate

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 18, 2023 – The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), partnered nonprofit to the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), is pleased to welcome Toria Parsons as the organization’s Policy Director and Lisette DuFore as Associate. 

As Policy Director, Toria will lead CCAI’s government relations, education, and advocacy strategies in domestic and international child welfare, permanency, and adoption policy. 

“Having served as an international adoption social worker for five years, I have seen firsthand the exceedingly positive impact permanency has on youth in safe and nurturing families. This experience drives my commitment to advocate for children and families,” said Toria Parsons, CCAI Policy Director. “I look forward to championing the bipartisan work of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in collaboration with its Co-Chairs, Senators Cramer and Klobuchar and Representatives Aderholt and Smith. I am eager to continue the ongoing policy and advocacy efforts of CCAI and Congress as we work towards a world where all children know the love and support of a permanent family. The privilege to advocate is one of my life’s highest honors.”

Prior to joining CCAI, as a trained social worker, Toria spent five years working with families adopting children from the countries of India, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland. From pre-adoption to post-placement and post-adoption, Toria worked with over 150 families during her tenure at the international adoption agency. She has a wide range of experience advocating for vulnerable populations such as refugees, children with special needs, and children in the child welfare system. She spent the year of 2022 advocating for clients and constituents on Capitol Hill.

“We are thrilled to welcome Toria to the small but mighty team of CCAI doing big things on behalf of vulnerable children and families,” said Kate McLean, CCAI’s Executive Director. “Toria brings a deep commitment to empowering people and communities through her academic and professional career in social work. I am confident she will continue to build the positive momentum in children and family policy with the caucus in collaboration with its leaders in Congress.”

Originally from Louisiana, Toria received both a Bachelor and Master of Social Work from The University of Alabama. She also holds a Master in Teaching English as a Second Language from Columbia International University. 

CCAI is pleased to welcome Lisette DuFore as a fourth member of the team. As Associate, Lisette works closely across all departments within CCAI, from development to programming to policy. She assists with the development and implementation of CCAI’s core programs and plays a crucial role in the organization’s development initiatives, including donor and partner management, scheduling, and strategy.

“As an adult adoptee, and daughter of a Korean adoptee mother, adoption and foster care policy is an extremely important and personal issue for me,” said Lisette DuFore, CCAI Associate. “Having worked in the private sector these past several years, I am excited to begin my career in child welfare advocacy working with CCAI again. CCAI’s mission deeply resonates with me, and I am very eager to help further the organization’s outreach, engagement, and impact.”

Lisette previously worked with CCAI as the Development and Communications intern for two consecutive semesters. With a background in project management, as well as experience preparing and executing large-scale projects and events, Lisette is able to bring her skills and experience in the private sector to the nonprofit world.

“Lisette has been an integral member of our team since her participation in our internship program. She has been exceptionally helpful in adding capacity to go bigger and bolder in our mission-driven work,” said McLean. “We are very pleased Lisette is continuing to grow with CCAI as our newest staff member. She brings strong organizational and project skills to our team along with a clear passion and commitment to our issues.”

Lisette graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in technical theatre from Binghamton University. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from American University in Washington, D.C.

For 22 years, CCAI has been an established resource for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, the largest bicameral, bipartisan congressional member organization. CCAI works to engage Members of Congress on issues pertaining to children in need of permanency, domestic, and international child welfare, as well as to advocate for every child’s right to a safe, stable, and nurturing family. CCAI works to provide federal policymakers with the information and resources needed to make the dream of a forever family for every child a reality through its core programs, including the Congressional Resource Program, Angels in Adoption®,Foster Youth Internship Program®, and 20/20 Vision Program.

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The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of children around the world in need of permanent, safe, and nurturing homes and to eliminate the legal, social, and financial barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family.

For more information or to learn about the work of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, visit http://www.ccainstitute.org or contact info@ccainstitute.org or (202) 544-8500.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) Named Co-Chair of Congressional Coalition on Adoption for 118th Congress

Washington, D.C., January 31, 2023 – Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), in partnership with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), announced the newest CCA Co-Chair for the 118th Congress is U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota.

The CCA is the largest bicameral, bipartisan congressional member organization and works to engage Members of Congress on issues related to child welfare and permanency. The caucus is deeply committed to bipartisanship and brings together Democrats and Republicans with the shared goal of improving the lives of children and families by uniting to ensure that all children know the love and support of a family through legal permanency in the forms of adoption, reunification, guardianship, and kinship care.

The role of the CCA Co-Chairs is to lead and actively engage their colleagues in Congress in drafting and supporting federal policies that help vulnerable children, youth, and families and strengthen child welfare systems.

Senator Kevin Cramer was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2018 after serving three terms as North Dakota’s At-Large Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. As a longtime CCA Member and father of six, Senator Cramer is a strong advocate for children and families. He is deeply committed to bipartisanship, strengthening families, and permanency. His personal connection to these issues in being an adoptive dad drives him in his work as a leader of the CCA. Additionally, Senator Cramer serves on the Armed Services, Environment and Public Works, Veterans Affairs, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Budget Committees.

“I am honored to lead the Congressional Coalition on Adoption for the 118th Congress with Co-Chairs Amy Klobuchar, Robert Aderholt, and Adam Smith,” said Cramer. “Our goal is to promote policies to help ensure as many children as possible know the unconditional love and support of a permanent family. That means educating people about adoption and foster programs, raising awareness of participation and engagement opportunities, and providing resources to individuals and entities entrusted with making decisions on children’s behalf.”

Senator Cramer joins the CCA’s three current Co-Chairs: Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Representatives Robert Aderholt of Alabama and Adam Smith of Washington.

“As an adoptive father, Senator Cramer understands firsthand the importance of families who open their hearts and homes to children,” said Klobuchar. “I look forward to working with Senator Cramer and our House co-chairs to improve the adoption process and help every child find the safe, loving home they deserve.”  

By joining the CCA, Members of Congress have the opportunity to participate in programs and events throughout the year that allow them to interact with children and youth, the families that care for them, organizations that work to support youth and families, and subject matter experts to hear the stories of the challenges and opportunities they experience and to strengthen federal policy with this information.

“The Congressional Coalition on Adoption is committed to advocating for policies that improve foster care and encourage permanency,” said Aderholt.  “Senator Cramer and our CCA leaders will continue to pursue policy on behalf of our mission: a world in which every child knows the love and support of a family.” 

Today, there are over 391,000 children in foster care, and over 113,000 of these children are eligible for adoption, waiting for families to call their own. Children living outside of family care globally are estimated conservatively at eight million.

“The Congressional Coalition on Adoption is committed to removing policy barriers that prevent children from finding safe, nurturing, and permanent families,” said Smith. “I look forward to working closely with Senator Cramer to advocate for policies that promote permanency for every child and family in the U.S. and around the world.”  

The Co-Chairs and CCA are supported by CCAI, the nonprofit institute dedicated to raising awareness about children in need of safe and nurturing families both domestically and internationally and eliminating the policy barriers that hinder children from having permanent families.

“CCAI is thrilled to have Senator Cramer step into the role of Co-Chair,” said CCAI’s Executive Director, Kate McLean. “He has demonstrated a strong commitment to making a difference for vulnerable children and families through effective policy, and we are grateful for Senator Cramer’s willingness to lead important permanency work in Congress.”

In the last 38 years, Members of the CCA have led Congress in the passage of historic legislation that has dramatically improved the lives of children and families including the Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act, Family First Prevention Services Act, Adoption and Safe Families Act, John Chafee Foster Care Independence Act, Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act, Hope for Children Act, Intercountry Adoption Act, Fostering Connections and Increasing Adoptions Act, Intercountry Adoption and Simplification Act, and Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act.

CCAI has been an established resource for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, the largest bicameral, bipartisan caucus in the U.S. Congress since 2001. CCAI works to engage Members of Congress on issues pertaining to children in need of permanency, domestic, and international child welfare, as well as to advocate for every child’s right to a safe, stable, and nurturing family. CCAI works to provide federal policymakers with information and resources through its core programs, including the Congressional Resource Program, Angels in Adoption® Leadership Program, Foster Youth Internship Program®, and 20/20 Vision Program. CCAI believes every child deserves a family, and every family deserves a caring community.

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The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of children around the world in need of permanent, safe, and nurturing families and to eliminate the legal, social, and financial barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family.

For more information or to learn about the work of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, visit http://www.ccainstitute.org or contact info@ccainstitute.org or (202) 544-8500.

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Names Angelique Salizan as New Policy Director to Lead Organization’s Domestic and International Policy Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 26, 2022 – The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), partnered nonprofit to the Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA), is pleased to welcome Angelique Salizan as the organization’s Policy Director. As of January 31, she will lead CCAI’s government relations, education, and advocacy strategies in domestic and international child welfare, permanency, and adoption policy.

“There are various challenges when it comes to addressing the needs of children and families. I am eager to build on the established advocacy and policy efforts at CCAI. My priority is to collaborate with Members of Congress, child welfare leaders, and impacted voices to holistically resource and educate the caucus on nonpartisan policies to ensure children all over the world have a permanent, safe, and loving family,” said Angelique Salizan, CCAI Policy Director. “I look forward to reconnecting with Members of Congress and their staff as well as forge new relationships with congressional partners and the community to address policy challenges and opportunities.”

Prior to joining CCAI, Angelique’s work in child welfare advocacy, policy, and reform dates back to 2013 when she participated in a New York State campaign advocating for support services for foster youth pursuing a higher education with the Children’s Aid Society, a program that is still in existence today. These efforts led to an internship and career working for the United States Senate as a congressional staff member.

In fact, Angelique was first introduced to CCAI through her participation in the 2015 Foster Youth Internship Program® where she worked as a congressional intern with the United States Senate Committee on Finance. Angelique is a published author in CCAI’s Embracing Our Past, Empowering Their Future: Why Child Welfare Reform Matters on the topic of closing the educational gap for foster youth by addressing the need for educational-vocational specialists.

Angelique has a wealth of policy experience and is skilled in facilitation, community and outreach engagement, public advocacy campaigns, government and constituent relations, and has been successful at coalition and capacity building among youth,  personnel, and leaders in the child welfare community locally and nationally. Her career includes roles with the offices of U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (OR) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) – both members of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption – as well as U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (OH).

As a Legislative Correspondent for Senator Brown, Angelique managed constituent engagement and policy priorities on a host of issues most notably, child welfare, social services, and education. While in Senator Brown’s office, she co-led the introduction of child welfare legislation such as the Family First Transition and Support Act and the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act which passed in the 2020 omnibus spending bill.

Most recently, Angelique served on the design team to produce a paper commissioned by College Promise examining how college promise programs can assist youth in or out of care in obtaining an undergraduate degree. She additionally served on the release of a policy brief detailing how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted foster youth currently in college. Angelique has also served as a consultant for the Capacity Building Center for States, an initiative of the Children’s Bureau’s Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative, for over five years to inform and assist states and agencies in building their capacities on a host of  child welfare issues. She most recently served as a Division X consultant with the Center to advise and provide consultation on youth development practices, provide policy expertise to inform planning, and contribute to continuous quality improvement efforts.

 “Over the past six plus years, Angelique has been a great friend and volunteer to the organization, and we are thrilled to welcome her back to our small but mighty team doing big things on behalf of vulnerable children and families,” said Kate McLean, CCAI’s Executive Director. “Angelique brings tremendous expertise and excellence to CCAI, and I am confident she will continue to build on the positive momentum in children and family policy in collaboration with the caucus and its leaders in Congress.”

Angelique earned an associate degree in humanities from Sullivan County Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Binghamton University in New York as well as a Project Management Certificate from the Kent State Center for Corporate & Professional Development in Ohio. In 2020, Angelique completed a master’s in policy management from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.

For 20 years, CCAI has been an established resource for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, the largest bicameral, bipartisan congressional member organization. CCAI works to engage Members of Congress on issues pertaining to children in need of permanency, domestic, and international child welfare, as well as to advocate for every child’s right to a safe, stable, and nurturing family. CCAI works to provide federal policymakers with the information and resources needed to make the dream of a forever family for every child a reality through its core programs, including the Congressional Resource Program, Angels in Adoption®, Foster Youth Internship Program®, and 20/20 Vision Program.

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The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of children around the world in need of permanent, safe, and nurturing homes and to eliminate the legal, social, and financial barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family.

For more information or to learn about the work of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, visit http://www.ccainstitute.org or contact info@ccainstitute.org or (202) 544-8500.

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Names Its 2022 Board Chair and Officers

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 10, 2022 – The Board of Directors of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) has named its officers for 2022: Susan Neely (Chair), Rita Lewis (Vice Chair), Brian Graff (Treasurer), and Susan Hirschmann (Secretary).

CCAI is grateful to its co-founder and outgoing Board Chair, the Honorable Mary Landrieu, for her commitment to CCAI and its belief that every child deserves a safe, stable, and nurturing family. While in the Senate, she led the charge with her Congressional Coalition on Adoption co-chairs to establish CCAI as a resource on adoption and foster care. Senator Landrieu has played an integral role in CCAI’s mission throughout its 20-year history, including the past three years as its Chair. CCAI is delighted she will remain a member of the Board of Directors and continue to support policies that make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.

“It’s been my honor to serve with a terrific Board, advisory council, and very dedicated Members of Congress including my dear friends Senators Roy Blunt, Amy Klobuchar, and others these last three years as Chair,” said Senator Landrieu. “I look forward to serving on the Board in a different capacity and helping with the challenges ahead. CCAI’s mission of building solid bipartisan consensus and progress on the best family supports with this country’s child welfare policies remain an important goal for all of us.”

Susan Neely has served on the CCAI Board of Directors since 2016 and was the organization’s Vice Chair in 2021. Since September 2018, Ms. Neely has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI). Before joining ACLI, Ms. Neely led the American Beverage Association, where she helped companies like Pepsi and Coca-Cola navigate the sugar wars by forging unlikely partnerships with President Clinton’s Global Initiative and First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign. Before that, Ms. Neely was special assistant to President George W. Bush on the frontlines of creating the Department of Homeland Security after 9/11, serving as the first DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. In addition to her work with CCAI, she is a director on the Board of the Global Child Nutrition Foundation. Ms. Neely is the mother of two adult children, Eve and Ben.

“I thank Senator Landrieu for her leadership as CCAI Chair and her tireless work in support of its mission,” said Ms. Neely. “For two decades, CCAI has worked with Members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle to help children in need of a nurturing and loving home. I am honored to be named Chair of CCAI and look forward to building on the organization’s efforts that have helped millions of children find a forever family.”

For 20 years, CCAI has been an established resource for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, the largest bicameral, bipartisan congressional member organization. CCAI works to engage Members of Congress on issues pertaining to children in need of permanency, domestic, and international child welfare, as well as to advocate for every child’s right to a safe, stable, and nurturing family. CCAI works to provide federal policymakers with the information and resources needed to make the dream of a forever family for every child a reality through its core programs, including the Congressional Resource Program, Angels in Adoption®, Foster Youth Internship Program®, and 20/20 Vision Program.

CCAI is governed by a Board of Directors whose members include Susan Neely, President and CEO of American Council of Life Insurers; Rita Lewis, President of RML Strategies; Brian Graff, CEO of American Retirement Association; Susan Hirschmann, CEO of Williams & Jensen; Kim Carver, Vice President Governmental Relations of Gulf Coast Bank; Kelly Gage, Director of Advancement of Nomi Network; Sarah Gesiriech, Principal of 127 Strategies and Former U.S. Government Special Advisor on Children in Adversity; The Honorable Mary Landrieu, Senior Policy Advisor at Van Ness Feldman and former U.S. Senator from Louisiana; Joyce Rogers, Vice President of U.S. Policy & Public Affairs at Pfizer; Rick Spielman, General Manager of the NFL Minnesota Vikings;  and Russell Sullivan, Shareholder of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.

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The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of children around the world in need of permanent, safe, and nurturing homes and to eliminate the legal, social, and financial barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family.

For more information or to learn about the work of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, visit http://www.ccainstitute.org or contact info@ccainstitute.org or (202) 544-8500.

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Names Kate McLean Executive Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Board of Directors of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) announced that it has promoted Kate McLean to the position of Executive Director.

“We are so happy that Kate has agreed to step into this important leadership role with CCAI. She is passionate about our mission and brings a joyful and collaborative spirit to our work with Members of Congress and many strategic partners,” said Mary Landrieu, Chair of the Board of Directors. “The combination of Kate’s executive leadership and deep commitment to our mission makes her the ideal new Executive Director,” said Susan Neely, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. “With her strong engagement, CCAI has had an extraordinary year of impact. We look forward to continuing our progress with Kate at the helm.”

Kate has been at CCAI since 2017, first as an intern and then attaining a spot on the team as Policy & Programs Associate beginning in January 2018. Prior to being named Executive Director, Kate managed the organization’s outreach, development, and programming as Director of Programs where she supported the implementation of CCAI’s core programs and annual projects including the Foster Youth Internship Program®, Angels in Adoption®, and National Adoption Day.

As Managing Director and now Executive Director, Kate leads the organization in increasing CCAI’s visibility and impact among members of the adoption, foster care, and greater child welfare community; strengthening and diversifying the organization’s funding sources; and maintaining the strong relationship that exists between CCAI and Members of Congress.

Originally from New York, Kate has been a District of Columbia resident for almost eight years. She enjoys volunteering with CASA for Children of DC and has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate since 2019. Kate holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs with a concentration in conflict resolution and minor in Spanish from The George Washington University.

“Over the past four years, I have been honored to be able to grow with CCAI and I appreciate the board’s confidence in me to lead this important organization into our third decade,” Kate said. “I believe wholeheartedly that CCAI’s resilience and relevancy will continue to build as now, more than ever, we need a world in which every child knows the love and support of a family. I look forward to continuing my work with the caucus and CCAI community to identify and remove barriers for vulnerable children and families.”

For 20 years, CCAI has been an established resource for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, the largest bicameral, bipartisan congressional member organization. CCAI works to engage Members of Congress on issues pertaining to children in need of permanency, domestic, and international child welfare, as well as to advocate for every child’s right to a safe, stable, and nurturing family. CCAI works to provide federal policymakers with the information and resources needed to make the dream of a forever family for every child a reality through its core programs, including the Congressional Resource Program, Angels in Adoption®, Foster Youth Internship Program®, and 20/20 Vision Program.

CCAI is governed by a Board of Directors whose members include The Honorable Mary Landrieu, Senior Policy Advisor at Van Ness Feldman and former U.S. Senator from Louisiana; Susan Neely, President and CEO of American Council of Life Insurers; Brian Graff, CEO of American Retirement Association; Susan Hirschmann, CEO of Williams & Jensen; Kim Carver, Vice President Governmental Relations of Gulf Coast Bank; Kelly Gage, Director of Advancement of Nomi Network; Sarah Gesiriech, Principal of 127 Strategies and Former U.S. Government Special Advisor on Children in Adversity; Rita Lewis, President of RML Strategies; Joyce Rogers, Vice President of U.S. Policy & Public Affairs at Pfizer; Rick Spielman, General Manager of the NFL Minnesota Vikings;  and Russell Sullivan, Shareholder of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.

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The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of children around the world in need of permanent, safe, and nurturing homes and to eliminate the legal, social, and financial barriers that hinder these children from realizing their basic right of a family.

For more information or to learn about the work of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, visit http://www.ccainstitute.org or contact info@ccainstitute.org or (202) 544-8500.

Statement on Ma’Khia Bryant

The tragic shooting and death of Ma’Khia Bryant earlier this week in Columbus, Ohio, requires a full and complete investigation into the law enforcement response that night and the underlying foster care provided by the family. This tragedy could and should have been prevented and we, at CCAI, will continue our advocacy work here on Capitol Hill with our strategic partners across the country and world to fight for best practices in family support and stabilization and nurturing family based care for vulnerable children.