We are pleased to announce four new webinars listed for online viewing. Three of the webinars have the option to obtain recertification credit and are geared towards those who are fostering/have adopted or those considering (if you watch all three,…
We often hear what is needed to be a good foster parent: love, commitment, flexibility, compassion, and patience to name a few. However, we often forget to mention the things that AREN’T needed. My husband and I first went through…
“Whoever tells the best story shapes the culture.” ― Erwin McManus Currently for most Americans, the known narrative around foster care is either non-existent because the majority of people know little about it, or it’s perceived as a space primarily…
French writer, Simone Weil once said, “To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul.” Part of the mission of America’s Kids Belong is helping kids do just that. To be rooted and…
Trauma is a buzzword right now but one that we cannot overlook when it comes to helping youth in foster care or who have been adopted. We are thrilled to have Ryan and Kayla North join us as we dive…
America’s Kids Belong’s 2024 FosterCon webinar series held an online webinar (now available online) titled Fostering Permanency. The webinar featured Pam Willis, who along with her husband, found her “Yes” in her 50s, after raising five bio kids. The couple…
In the realm of foster care, few voices resonate as deeply as that of Dr. John DeGarmo. As the founder of The Foster Care Institute, Dr. DeGarmo has dedicated his life to guiding families through the complexities of the foster…
Reunification. A word that often creates high emotions and deep pain for foster families. A word that creates hope and a second chance for biological families. Reunification. The goal of foster care. When I chat with families interested in fostering,…
Each May we celebrate Foster Care Awareness Month. Intended to raise awareness of the needs of kids children and youth in the U.S. foster care system who need temporary – and sometimes permanent – homes with safe, nurturing families. Yet…
Is Foster Parenting Right for You? Becoming a foster parent is a deeply rewarding experience that can change both your life and the life of a child in need. But it’s also a commitment that requires empathy, resilience, and an…
“I’m all in but what if my partner doesn’t want to foster?” This is a very common question we’re asked. The answer is simple: You can’t foster. That doesn’t mean you need to give up your goal of fostering, but…
Eight years ago my husband and I were driving away from an orphanage in Congo, with our newly adopted eight-month-old daughter. Behind us was a line of older children standing shoulder to shoulder on the orphanage porch, crying. At one…
