Congressional Resource Program
The Congressional Resource Program (CRP) is CCAI’s primary initiative for providing objective, relevant information to educate policymakers on key issues related to adoption, child welfare, and family permanency both domestically and internationally. Through congressional briefings and focus events, policy reports, roundtable conversations, and legislative alerts, CCAI provides helpful information to federal policymakers to identify and remove policy and practice barriers that hinder children from being part of a permanent family.
Congressional Opportunities
- Contact CCAI with specific adoption and foster care policy questions.
- Circulate information about adoption or foster care legislation through CCAI's congressional listserv.
- Learn more about specific adoption and child welfare legislation and policy through our online resources including: our legislation list, legislative and policy reports, facts and statistics, and domestic and international policy resources.
- Consult with CCAI for adoption or child welfare hearing or briefing witness recommendations.
- Check out more Ways to Engage.
Our Events
Pathways to Permanency Policy Series
Presented as part of CCAI’s 2026 Pathways to Permanency Series, this multi-part webinar convening will take place as part of a set of monthly online briefings hosted by CCAI from January through October 2026, exploring key issues and barriers to permanency outcomes for children and youth.
Continuing the Journey Beyond 18: Extended Foster Care
February 26, 2026 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Join us for an in-depth discussion on the current landscape of extended foster care. This webinar will explore what’s working, where gaps remain, and the critical role of advocacy in supporting youth as they transition to adulthood. Attendees will hear actionable insights on policy solutions and what Congress can do to strengthen extended foster care programs, ensuring young people have the support they need to thrive.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/permanencypathwaysFeb2026
Supporting the Frontlines: Strengthening the Child Welfare Workforce
March 13, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
A stable and well-supported child welfare workforce is essential for achieving timely permanency and protecting children. This webinar will dive into the challenges facing caseworkers, social workers, and support staff, including high caseloads, turnover, and limited resources, and highlight innovative approaches to reducing burnout, improving training, and navigating systemic hurdles. Attendees will gain practical strategies and hear policy perspectives to help ensure the workforce has the tools and support needed to serve children and families effectively.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/permanencypathwaysMarch2026
Building Bridges: Connecting Child Welfare and Mental Health Systems to Better Serve Families
April 17, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
This webinar will explore how child welfare and mental health systems can work together across the permanency ecosystem to remove barriers to care and help families stay together and thrive. We will highlight the importance of adoption- and foster-competent mental health services, including trauma-informed therapy that sustains permanency for children and families in adoption, foster, and kinship care. We will also discuss the need for nationwide adoption-competent training for professionals so they can respond to the unique needs of systems impacted youth and their families to build a more connected system of care that supports long-term family well-being.
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/permanencypathwaysApril2026
Additional details on upcoming webinars will be shared soon.
To learn more about how to utilize the Congressional Resource Program contact CCAI Policy Director Toria Parsons at [email protected].
