Sandra and Jorge Mendez adopted Emily and Michael from foster care in 2019. As their children step into adulthood, they reflect on lessons in healing, trauma-responsive parenting, and supporting connections with birth siblings.
Jamarri “Sugar” Kane-White lived in foster homes for a decade before his adoption in 2020. He said the experience influenced the path he took to grow into a successful adult who now speaks up for others with similar experiences.
This article explores how and why the holiday season can be a time of emotional ambivalence for those experiencing foster care or adoption. Families can learn how to provide meaningful comfort and joy to those in their care by exploring this list of resources from child welfare experts who offer strategies and techniques for effectively meeting these needs.
Two fathers, Brian and Jarrod, initially planned on adopting a young child. But with the encouragement of their family worker and their network of friends, they decided to welcome 13-year-old Logan into their home. This decision changed their lives, and they now all serve as vocal advocates for adoption of older youth.
Kayla Moffitt will always remember the moment that she shared her desire to adopt a child from foster care with her husband, Jerad, in the fall of 2018.
Ann Marie Root and her husband, James, became foster and adoptive parents to a teen who was friends with their daughter.