About Us

Guiding from experience. Leading for change.

It all began with a mom, Googling. Amy VanTine had spent her career supporting children and families — as a residential care provider, early childhood educator, foster care mentor and case aide. But when it came to helping her own adopted daughter with reactive attachment disorder (RAD), also known as developmental trauma, she found herself lost. Despite countless therapies and parenting techniques, her daughter’s early trauma wasn’t being addressed, and their family was falling apart.

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When Amy was losing hope, she connected online with other moms facing similar struggles — two of whom, by chance, lived in her small Colorado town. Amy realized she wasn’t alone.

As she continued connecting with caregivers worldwide — stepparents, grandparents and others parenting children with RAD — it became clear that families weren’t just unsupported. They were blamed and shamed for a condition their child had before ever entering their home.

Determined to make a difference, Amy and two other moms from her town founded RAD Advocates in 2017. RAD Advocates is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit, led primarily by those who've parented children with RAD. The advocates have spent countless hours helping parents to avert and navigate crises and educating communities about RAD. From teaching graduate students to sharing their stories with Mayo Clinic clinicians and lobbying for family protections, RAD Advocates is building understanding and support for families everywhere.

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And we’re just getting started. Join us.