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Our vision is a future where more children with developmental trauma/reactive attachment disorder will remain in the home with the healthy families that raise them; one where every family member is physically and emotionally safe at all times. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, we can help create better support for families and the professionals who serve them.

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Because It Just Makes Sense

Parenting a child with developmental trauma disorder/reactive attachment disorder — whether adoptive, biological, step-parent, or otherwise — can be extremely difficult, even dangerous at times.

RAD Advocates exists to make sure families are not navigating this alone, and that the professionals around them truly understand the disorder and its impact.

When families don't have access to appropriate support, the effects of developmental trauma can extend throughout the household and place additional strain on community systems. Greater awareness, education, and collaboration can help change that.

Let's defend families, not the disorder.

Let's support the critical job of parents. Let's keep everyone in the home safe and well. When we do, we give kids with the disorder a better chance to stay in their families. It just makes sense.

Do Your Part, However, Whenever, Wherever You Are

We have a long way to go toward a better understanding of developmental trauma and reactive attachment disorder in society. Meaningful change happens when people from every community choose to get involved.

Take part from your corner of the world. Get creative and inspired by moms like Caela and Laura and professionals like Sateash (pictured). Together, we’re stronger. We are all RAD advocates.

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Become a Member

Membership is advocacy in action. When you become a member, you receive support for your own family while helping to sustain the work that supports families everywhere. Members are the backbone of RAD Advocates.

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Volunteer

RAD Advocates is a grassroots organization powered largely by those who have lived this firsthand. We welcome anyone who wants to support our mission, and we find the most meaningful collaborations happen with members who have found more stable footing on their RAD journey and are ready to give back. There is no better volunteer than someone who truly understands our organization and the mission we are committed to. When you are ready, ask your advocate how you can get involved.

Share

Anyone can help spread the word. Whether you share our posts on social media, forward an email to a friend, or bring our infographics to a meeting, you are helping us reach families and communities who need this information. Every share creates a spark for change.

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Have an idea for an infographic or something else that’d be helpful in your sharing and advocacy? Email nichole@radadvocates.org with your suggestions.

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Annual Gratitude Report

We advocate and educate on behalf of families everywhere because of you.

Reflecting with Gratitude

We Progress, Thanks to You

Years ago, Amy VanTine searched for help for her daughter, diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder. She found advice, therapies, and opinions — but little understanding of how early trauma reshapes a child’s brain and destabilizes an entire family system.

As behaviors and strain escalated, it became clear that Amy’s family needed more. They needed advocacy. They needed education rooted in lived experience. They needed someone willing to stand beside them. When she couldn’t find it, Amy became the advocate her family needed.

In 2017, Amy and two other mothers founded RAD Advocates to equip families, communities, and professionals to respond to developmental trauma with clarity and compassion. That mission keeps widening. We support members who need steady footing, train the professionals families depend on, host a forum where caregivers find each other, and stand beside families as they navigate schools, treatment systems, and courts.

RAD Advocates exists because members, volunteers, donors, and supporters believe families deserve to be seen, heard, and equipped. Your support sustains this work — and strengthens families across the country. Thank you.

RAD Advocates CEO Amy VanTine and COO Heather Houze