RPACS Statewide Meeting: Too Many Losses, Too Soon: Addressing the Loss and Grief Children in Foster Care and Adoptive Families Experience
Participants will take a deep look at the unique losses experienced by children in foster care and adoptive families.
WHEN: Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 11:00AM - 12:30PM(EST)
WHERE: Zoom
COST: FREE
RPACS Statewide Meeting: Too Many Losses, Too Soon: Addressing the Loss and Grief Children in Foster Care and Adoptive Families Experience
Participants will take a deep look at the unique losses experienced by children in foster care and adoptive families. Topics include the factors that influence children’s reaction to loss, the four psychological tasks of grief work, and healing therapies for children and teens. The session also covers how parents can work with professionals to better understand the ambiguities of foster care and adoption that their children may be experiencing and effective communication strategies for strengthening their children’s transitions and attachment to new families.
Participants will receive 1.5 CEs for completing this course. Participants must register by the start of the session on 5/14/2026 to receive continuing education credit. This training is being offered at no cost to participants thanks to our partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services and the joint cooperation of the post-permanency consortia across five regions: Northern, Western, Piedmont, Central, and Eastern region. To learn more about post-adoption services across the Commonwealth, visit the lead agencies websites at:
C.A.S.E.: https://adoptionsupport.org/northern-post-adoption-consortium-npac/
Shineforth: https://www.shineforth.org/services/adoption-program/
DePaul: https://www.depaulcr.org/rpacs/
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR:
Mari J. Itzkowitz, LCSW has over 20 years’ experience working in the areas of loss, healing, trauma and adoption. Ms. Itzkowitz graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Education and received her Master of Social Work from The Catholic University of America. Ms. Itzkowitz is an Adoption Competent Therapist and Training Specialist at the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) in Annandale, VA.
Ms. Itzkowitz provides clinical services to families who have adopted through foster care or internationally and works closely with individual counties to provide pre-adoption services working with foster children and families as they move toward finalization. In addition, she provides individual, family and group therapy to adopted children, families, and adult adoptees. Ms. Itzkowitz is a Certified TAC trainer and has provided “Train the Trainer” programs throughout the country.
Ms. Itzkowitz has been providing Consultation Supervision both at C.A.S.E. and privately for the last 15 years. Her specialty as a clinical social worker prior to joining C.A.S.E. included hospice patients and families as they face end-of-life issues, as well as bereaved individuals and groups after the death of a loved one. She has also worked with clients who are experiencing transitional loss and role adjustment, corporate downsizing, and career changes.
Download Learning Objectives & Timed Agenda
Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), Provider #1972, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/3/2026 – 3/3/2029. Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 general continuing education credits.
Live Webinar Completion - System RequirementsRefund/Cancellation Policies
For questions, concerns, or to request accessibility accommodations, please contact
Lauren Lynch at [email protected]
