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.