Casey Family Programs

06/21/2026

“I want to make sure that nobody ever feels alone,” says Michael Ray Simmons, 2025 Casey Excellence for Children Award birth father honoree.

Michael has played a key role in supporting parents, youth and their families. On this Father’s Day, we celebrate all those who fill the role of dad. From Casey, we wish you all a very happy Father’s Day.

See Michael’s full story on our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3ScEzPU

Our 2025 Casey Exellence for Children Awards Birth Father honoree, Michael Ray Simmons, is a dedicated advocate with many years of experience supporting pare...

06/18/2026

One of the most powerful findings of the last two decades is that providing families with the basic necessities of life — housing, food and financial stability — is a direct and effective form of child protection. Nearly two-thirds of children found to be victims of maltreatment in 2024 were victims of neglect alone.

When families are strong and communities are supported, children are safer. Learn more by reading our 2026 Signature Report: https://bit.ly/4wLdtzq

Far fewer children live in foster care than 20 years ago. Learn more about progress toward child and family well-being in our 2026 Signature Report

06/16/2026

Casey Excellence for Children Awards honors individuals like April M. Curtis, an alumna of Illinois’ child welfare system, who draws on her lived expertise to shape policy, cultivate leadership and create healing spaces that foster belonging, purpose and community.

Do you know a foster care alum who is creating real change? Nominate them now for the 2027 CECA awards by visiting casey.org/ceca.

06/12/2026

In 2005, nearly 500,000 children were in foster care. By 2024, that number had dropped to about 314,000, a 36% decrease. This represents hundreds of thousands of children who were able to remain with their families, stay in their schools and remain connected to their culture and communities.

Our 2026 Signature Report delves deeper into thinking about how safely reducing the need for foster care can lead to stronger families and healthier children. Explore the full report here: https://bit.ly/4wLdtzq

Far fewer children live in foster care than 20 years ago. Learn more about progress toward child and family well-being in our 2026 Signature Report

06/09/2026

Paul Tonnessen is our 2026 Casey Excellence for Children Awards honoree as a resource parent. Whether soothing a child through trauma or showing up at school events, he’s provided the kind of consistent care many of his children had never known.

Do you know an inspiring resource parent or other nominee? Nominate them for 2027 CECA awards and honor their contribution to child welfare. Visit casey.org/ceca to learn more.

06/03/2026

Nominations are open for the 2027 Casey Excellence for Children Awards.
Don’t miss your opportunity to nominate a birth mother like Christina Simmons Saucier, a systems advocate, peer support leader and mother of six whose lived experience navigating the child welfare system fuels her work to transform child welfare.

Watch the video to learn more about Christina, then visit casey.org/ceca to nominate someone who inspires you!

06/02/2026

Every June, we recognize Pride Month, a time to celebrate the history and contributions of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community. It is a celebration of identity and a reminder of the importance of equity, dignity and inclusion.

More than half of LGBTQ+ youth report experiencing a negative reaction to their identity from a parent. LGBTQ+ youth are also overrepresented in foster care. How can we make sure LGBTQ+ youth in foster care receive the support they need? https://bit.ly/3S8TQ4g

How can child protection agencies recruit and train supportive families for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care? Agencies can employ a variety of strategies to recruit and train families that affirm and meet the needs of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. Here’s how.

06/01/2026

June is National Family Reunification Month, a time to recognize and celebrate when children are able to safely stay in their home, or return home, as families navigate challenges.

Well-established research substantiates the negative impacts that family separation has on the well-being of children. Parents must be supported so that their children can remain safely with them whenever possible. Learn more. https://bit.ly/43CPOob

Child protection agencies can implement many strategies that minimize the time children spend in foster care and promote safe family reunification. Here are some examples.

05/29/2026

Casey Family Programs is proud to be a founding member of the National Behavioral Health Collective, formed to leverage the extensive national expertise of its partners to foster resilience, health and wellbeing for children, youth and families with behavioral health needs. Learn more about the Collective: https://bit.ly/4wTD89f

A new Children’s Behavioral Health Collective (the CBH Collective), of which Social Current is a founding member, was formed to leverage the extensive national expertise of its partners to foster […]

05/28/2026

Do you know someone who’s making a difference for those impacted by the child welfare system?

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Casey Excellence for Children Awards, and we need your help finding outstanding advocates.

Nominate an alum of foster care, a birth parent, a kinship caregiver or a resource parent who has demonstrated extraordinary efforts on behalf of those involved in child welfare. Nominations close July 8.

Learn more about the awards and nominate someone deserving: https://bit.ly/4b71XCw

These awards recognize those who have dedicated themselves to improving outcomes for children and families in the child welfare system.