Outstanding Caseworker: Harold Hankerson
“I’d say that working with children is a calling more than a career… The Bible tells us that we’re responsible for the orphans and the widows. Those are my marching orders.”
AdoptUSKids
AdoptUSKids authors include experts in child welfare, communications, evaluation, and/or technology from across the United States. Together, they drive the AdoptUSKids project, as it supports foster and adoptive families, raises awareness about the nationwide need for more of these families, and provides resources to child welfare systems and professionals.
Understanding children’s behavior and helping them heal
A therapist discusses some of the neurological causes of children’s behavior, sensory “triggers,” and ways of calming an upset child.
Finding normal
A young woman reflects on her adoption after eight foster placements: “I realized that they really loved me, that they weren’t going to give up on me.”
Outstanding Caseworker: Trudy Tweedle-Cagle
“Organization is huge. And working weekends is inevitable.” A caseworker whose service area is the entire state of Minnesota talks about matching children and families.
Outstanding Caseworker: Stephanie Collum
Being authentic, positive, and “comfortable in every situation” are three keys to this Mississippi caseworker’s success when working with children and parents.
Outstanding Caseworker: Ma Shonn Sullivan
An adoption worker talks about finding a forever family for a little girl with medical needs who was photolisted on adoptuskids.org.