From Foster Care to a Forever Home
Sixty-two kids found a permanent family last fiscal year thanks to CCC’s Adoption Through Collaborative Partnerships (ATCP) program and the dedication of case worker Bridget Mullins.
Mullins has worked with kids and teens in difficult situations for almost 20 years. She’s served as an advocate in the court systems and as a case worker in foster care. Now, at CCC, she helps kids achieve a forever home.
What is ATCP?
"Finalizing an adoption can take years." said Mullins. “I had the pleasure of working with a family who began fostering their child when he was two years old, and the adoption wasn't finalized until the child was 10.”
ATCP allows Mullins to work directly with the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) to assist with the adoption paperwork and help move the process forward more efficiently.
Why is ATCP important?
While in foster care, there is always a chance that a child’s placement could end.
“I’ve had a lot of cases where the kids, especially the older ones, get kind of antsy during the adoption process,” said Mullins. “They have trauma and abandonment issues that make the wait especially difficult for them.”
Kids in foster care may develop challenging behaviors. However, once adoptions are finalized, Mullins has seen these behaviors improve.
"For most children, all they want is a family,” reflects Mullins “They need that stability to heal.”
CCC's Commitment
CCC is committed to helping children find stability every day.
“We want permanency for every child as soon as possible, whether it be a baby or a 17-year-old,” says Mullins “ATCP is wonderful! It allows us to work with VDSS to get children out of foster care faster.”
In addition to ATCP, CCC also offers post adoption services to support families and have family recruiters to help match kids to adoptive families.
