The Fall CCA Forum and Adoption Community Network semi-annual meeting were held jointly on September 24, 2026 at UConn Health in Farmington CT. Our guest speaker was Krista Mraz, Psy.D. Dr. Mraz is a pediatric neuropsychologist in private practice in Glastonbury. The presentation was titled “Prenatal Substance Exposure and Neuropsychological Testing: What Providers and Families need to Know” and was insightful and comprehensive, focusing on the following:

What signs and symptoms may indicate prenatal substance exposure.
What to look for if substance exposure is known or suspected.
When is it appropriate to seek a neuropsychological evaluation?
What information can neuropsychological testing provide and how it can help families better understand their child's strengths and challenges?
What is the difference between psychological testing and neuropsychological testing?

Dr. Mraz addressed the effects of certain common substances on our adopted children such as Cannabis, Nicotine, Alcohol, Meth, Cocaine, and MDMA.

Suggestions were made to contact Mother to Baby, a national nonprofit program with a local office in Farmington, for more information and personalized consultation on exposures during pregnancy

For helpful perspectives on domestic infant adoption and preparing to adopt a baby with prenatal exposure, please click below:

After the Forum presentation we moved on to the agenda for the adoption community meeting with updates from individual members, agencies, and DCF, AAP and CAFAF. We are excited to plan for our next forum in March 2027 and welcome new members to both CCA and the A.C.N.

CCA 2026 Fall Forum Recap and Resources