Introduction

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) serves as an educational resource for Members of Congress and their staff on issues related to adoption, foster care, child welfare, and permanency. CCAI offers helpful information, resources, and opportunities to engage throughout the year.

About the Adoption Caucus: Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA)

In 1985, a committed group of Members of Congress shared a commitment to eliminating the barriers that hinder children from realizing their basic right to a family. Dedicated to making a difference, these Members united to form the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Caucus (CCA).

Congressional Coalition on Adoption (CCA) - the Adoption Caucus - is the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus in the U.S. Congress. 147 Members of the 118th Congress have joined and are actively engaged. The CCA has consistently been the voice for the needs of children in need of safe, nurturing, and permanent families, both in the United States and around the world. In 2001, the four Co-Chairs of the CCA worked to create an associated nonprofit institute, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI).

For nearly four decades, CCA Members have led Congress in the passage of historic legislation that has dramatically impacted the lives of children, youth, and families including:

  • Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act
  • Family First Prevention Services Act
  • The 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 Simplification Act
  • Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act

Resources

CCAI strives to be an objective, educational resource for the information critical to federal policymakers’ efforts on issues related to adoption, foster care, and child welfare. These include:

  • Policy reports
  • Fact sheets
  • Briefings and roundtables
  • Domestic child welfare and adoption
  • International child welfare and adoption

CCA / CCAI Partnership

lthough the CCA and CCAI are distinct entities, they are closely linked in partnership. In 2001, the CCA Co-Chairs established CCAI with the design of it serving as an educational resource to Congress. Both CCA and CCAI are deeply committed to bipartisanship, strengthening families, and permanency. CCAI's initial and continued mandate includes service to the caucus. CCAI provides CCA Members the opportunity to partner in our flagship programs and events throughout the year including:

  • Congressional Resource Program 
  • Angels in Adoption® Leadership Program 
  • Foster Youth Internship Program®
  • 20/20 Vision Program

For more information, please contact CCAI Policy Director Toria Parsons at [email protected].