Happy New Year message from CCA President: Deb Candelora

Happy New Year 2026

I personally choose a word of the year to challenge myself. My word this year is EXPECTING 😊 I am expecting great things as we move forward bringing awareness of Adoption to the Community as we continue to Support Adoptive Families.

Thank you for being such an important part of the CCA mission. Without the support of members and strong Community Partnerships, we would not be able to do the work we do for the Adoption Community. Adoption touches everyone in different ways. We need to continue to lean on each other to bring support, awareness and education.

I would like to highlight the great work CCA has accomplished this past year.

The Practice Committee held 2 very successful forums this year. CCA and ACN (Adoption Community Network) are now partnering with 2 forums a year. The partnership is exactly what is needed as we continue to move forward to impact the work.

The Program Committee held a training on Transracial Adoption and today’s training on healing past trauma. I have no doubt today was very impactful, knowing Sana the way I do.

Membership Committee continues to spread the word, and we count on all of you to encourage membership as well.

Communication Committee stays on top of the website and inquiries with excellence.

As I sit here and write this, I can’t help but acknowledge all the work behind the scenes this Board puts in. The work we do is not a job, it is a passion, a calling.

I look forward to another year of learning curves, thinking outside the box and stretching our areas of influence.

Sincerely blessed and humbled to be a part of this work.

Deb Candelora: CCA President

Deb Candelora, CCA President and her beautiful family